How to make your home into the perfect holiday rental

Homeowners can earn an impressive income from creating a listing and sharing their primary home or investment property with travelers. It is often thought that properties must be available all year, though owners can choose to rent out their home just when they are travelling for work or on holidays – just a few weeks per year. With My Air Host, owners are in full control of the availability, pricing, and house rules and can share their places on their own terms.

Creating your first short term rental listing may seem daunting, but it’s well worth the potential rental income. Here are four easy steps for making your vacation rental listing stand out from the crowd and generate bookings.

1. Highlight unique features

One of the best parts of staying at holiday homes is that every property is different and comes with unique features that you wouldn’t find at just any hotel, or even another holiday home. If you own something special or attractive that sets your home apart from others, make sure you highlight it in your listing description and feature it in your photos.

Some examples could be deluxe kitchen appliances (like an espresso machine), home theater, snooker table, outdoor fire pit or sauna, or bikes that guests can use to explore the neighborhood.

2. Presentation and photos

Present your home so guests can imagine themselves using the space. For example, if you have a picnic table on your deck, set the table with a bottle of wine and glasses. Add color throughout to make your listing come to life in photos — that could be with throw pillows or a bowl of fruit in the kitchen.

Beautiful, well-lit photos help travelers imagine what it would be like to stay at your home. Travelers love taking photos while they’re on vacation, so make your listing as Instagrammable as possible. Consider investing in a professional photographer who can help you capture the best shots and also assist with lighting, editing, and color correction.

3. Personalize the experience

Go above and beyond in the hospitality department to ensure guests feel welcomed and special when staying at your vacation home. A little bit goes a long way!
Create a guest book with recommendations for local restaurants, bars, cafes, and attractions. Consider leaving a bottle of wine from a local winery or fine chocolates in the kitchen, and soaps and candles from a local artisan in the bathroom for your guests to try.

And remember that people love traveling with their dogs, so if you’re a pet-friendly home, it’s an advantage. You could consider having a doggie bed or treats ready for guests who bring their pets.

4. Read and respond

Travelers almost always read reviews before booking holiday homes, so not only is this great feedback for you but it also helps future travelers in their searches and decision making. Read all your reviews — guest feedback may inspire a way to improve your property or listing in the future.

Considering renting out your home for the first time? My Air Host is offering 25% off our full service hosting fee for the first three months.

We take the hassle out of hosting

Call: 02 8324 6532

Email: contact@myairhost.com.au