Time To Gear Up Your San Diego Vacation Rental For Peak Season

Summer vacation rental season is here. Warm weather, time off work and school, and anticipation of fun and relaxing activities has primed your market for the next several months. You have probably noticed an uptick in your inquiries already, and this is only the beginning. If this is the first time you'll be offering your San Diego vacation rental during peak summer season, you'll want to be prepared to take advantage of this busy, profitable time.

Start A Checklist

Although you won't come up with everything you need to do the first time you write things down, begin the process as a long-term investment. Start writing things down today, and as you think of more things, add them to your list. As the busy season progresses and you recognize your mistakes, jot those things on your list as well. By the end of your first peak season, you will have an excellent blueprint for the following year.

PROACTIVELY FILL THE GAPS

As summer progresses, you will notice that weekend after weekend will fill up on your rental calendar. Soon a week or two will be booked here or there, and you'll begin reaching capacity. However, most of the time, you'll find that you still have two or three nights scattered throughout your calendar that are open.

You may choose to take those open dates as a break from your busy summer rental schedule. However, if you're in the groove and have your check-in and check-out policies and work down to a science, you may want to fill every single date possible. Most rental units charge significantly more during peak season so it may be worth trying to get your property to maximum capacity.

Determine a last-minute time frame you want to work in. For instance, perhaps you decide that if you come within five business days of an open slot, you'll proactively market and discount those days. This will be your plan throughout the summer. Each time you reach such a situation, actively offer last-minute special deals that are discounted from your regular rate in order to fill those slots.

Earn and Encourage Great Reviews

The best advertisement for future business is the gushing review of a recent rental customer. Just as you will likely review your guests before accepting them into your home or onto your property, vacation goers often spend time reading your reviews in addition to looking at your property description and photos.

Once you build a positive report with your guests, remind them to leave feedback on the site and promise to do the same for them.

Make It Special

The vacation rental business is becoming so competitive that guests expect the basics: a clean property, reasonable communication and simple amenities. The way you will make your property stand out among the competition is by going above and beyond the call of duty.

Ideally, find a way to personalize your customers' visit. If you've had the opportunity to chat with your guests before they arrive and have learned about why they are visiting your area or with what kind of group, you may be able to think of a small way to enhance their trip.

For instance, if you know a family with small children will be staying at your rental property, you may want to create a welcome packet with family-friendly activities in the area, coupons for family restaurants or a schedule of children's activities for the upcoming weekend.

If, on the other hand, you learn that a group of best friends are coming in for a high school reunion, you might want to leave information about local clubs, bars and restaurants or promotional materials about area concerts.

Even if you cannot personalize your welcome packet to that extent, leaving some fresh eggs and a note with suggestions on where to have dinner may be an appreciated gesture.

Freshen Your Interior

Take a walk around your property, particularly

before the peak season, and see if there are ways to make your rental feel more homey. Planting fresh flowers near the door or adding some indoor plants in the living room can do a lot to brighten up a rental.

Make necessary repairs, add a fresh coat of paint if you have time, and update your artwork. Consider replacing curtains or bedding as well as replacing any items in your rental that are worn out. You may want to take a good look at things like towels, pots, dishes, silverware and other items that may have gotten broken or lost over time. Paying attention to these details can enhance your customers' visit.

Spend some time getting yourself organized and putting into place a workable routine to follow during peak San Diego vacation rental season. You will not only save yourself a lot of stress during these busy months, but you will likely achieve greater success as well.