If you are the owner of Topsail, NC real estate, or hope to be soon, and have decided that your beach house would make a great vacation rental, then this blog post is definitely for you. Today we're talking about what makes a vacation rental rise above the rest in a very competitive market. Here are some of the secrets of successful vacation rentals and what you can do to level up your Topsail beach house to its fullest rental potential. Century 21 Action Topsail Real Estate would be honored to help you find the perfect Vacation Rental Property.  Contact us today! 

1. A Business Not a Hobby

Successful vacation rental owners think of their rental as a business endeavor and not just a hobby. That translates to having a marketing plan, being professional and consistent, meeting financial goals, and having a reliable booking system in place. If that feels like a lot for you to manage on your own, that's where an experienced local property management company can step in and help lighten the load until you are ready to take on the day to day responsibilities yourself.  It's best to think about your rental as it's own little resort and make decisions from that perspective.  If you were the General Manager of a Resort, how would you manage it?  If you the guest of the Resort, what are your expectations?

2. Responsive Communication

Communicating with your vacation rental clients clearly and in a timely manner is crucial to managing a successful rental. In this technological age, we are a society that has grown accustomed to instant gratification. That means potential guests expect vacation rental inquiries and bookings to be expedient. Otherwise, they'll quickly move on to the next vacation rental site or booking. Responsive communication in all areas of the vacation rental process—from start to finish—is vital.  Developing an automated system for delivering information to your guests can be a real time saver and demonstrate outstanding service (check-in/out information, trash days, things to do, property instructions, etc.)

3. Guests Feel Like They Matter

Guest satisfaction is a huge factor in the success of your vacation rental. Repeat business and positive reviews are going to make your rental stand out among the vacation rental crowd of competition. Valuing your guests and understanding their needs and wants is important, as is being responsive when things may not go as smoothly as you'd like. Vacation rental guests are part of your rental's future legacy, so treat them as such.  Guests are also a great source of suggestions for enhancements to your property.

4. Well-Marketed & Well-Managed

Making your vacation rental visible to your potential guests is the first step in attracting bookings, so that's why it is really important that you have a professional marketing system in place. A well-marketed vacation rental is going to have the advantage in a very competitive market. A well-managed vacation rental should already include this—so if your property management company doesn't, it's time to make a change.  Other marketing channels include Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, etc.

5. Most Wanted Vacation Rental Amenities

Amenities matter! Part of the draw of one vacation rental over another is the amenities that are offered. Vacation rental amenities are part of what your guests are searching for when selecting a rental that best suits their needs and wants. You definitely want to make sure that your amenities are highlighted in your vacation rental listing with photographs or video and clearly noted. Pools, fireplaces, outdoor decks and patios, spa tubs, outdoor showers, and pet-friendly accommodations are some of the many popular amenities that are highly sought after.  Allowing Pets, even with a pet fee, can result in 5-8 extra bookings per year.

6. Luxuries of a Vacation Plus the Comforts of Home

One of the driving reasons that travelers opt for a vacation rental over a hotel/motel stay is for the added comforts of home. Let's face it, it's really nice to have a vacation rental kitchen for your convenience, more room and privacy for all the members of your family, and a stay that is more customized and personalized to what you really want on a vacation. It's those little touches that mean a lot, so making your vacation rental feel both luxurious and like home is the perfect balance that will have your guests wanting to come back year after year.  Make sure the kitchen is well stocked to provide that comfort of home, and with enough utensils, plates, glasses, etc. for at least 1.5 times the maximum occupancy.

7. Leave a Lasting (Good) Impression

Your goal is to have your vacation rental guests feeling like they don't want to leave. Ever. In the very least, you want them coming back for more as a repeat renter—and booking their next year's vacation in your rental right away. It's also nice when their family and friends ask for rental recommendations that they immediately think of your vacation rental and its amenities. That means that the big things and the little things matter, so be sure that you're constantly looking at your rental from a guest's perspective and making necessary changes and improvements along the way to ensure that your rental stays competitive—and memorable.  Make replacements and repairs as quickly as possible.  Every year be sure to scope out your competition and make sure your property shines above most of them

Scott Erickson, author, is the Owner/Broker of Century 21 Action, Inc. and Founder of Sweet Dreams Linens and Rentals, Inc.  He recently sold the Rental Division of Century 21 Action and also Sweet Dreams Linens and Rentals in a separate sale.  In these capacities, he has helped 100,000's of guests vacation on Topsail Island in 1000's of vacation homes he either managed or serviced.  Scott is considered a leading expert nationally with vacation rental property success and is a seminar speaker, writer, and consultant for the vacation rental industry.