It’s no surprise that the UK is enjoying a staycation boom right now. With travel abroad somewhat limited, we’re looking to our home country to enjoy a bit of R&R. Airbnb, in particular, is thriving. The company reported that 70% of the stays booked in the UK on the last weekend of June were for domestic travel.
So, if you were thinking about making some extra cash and putting your home on the holiday rental platform, it seems like there’s never been a better time. However, with so much competition, how do you stand out from the rest? Follow our tips below and you’ll soon be reaping the financial rewards.
Make sure your furniture fits the requirements
The number one thing that every guest wants is a big, comfy bed. If yours don’t quite match up, then it could hold you back in the form of bad reviews. If you only have a standard double in your bedroom, consider upgrading to a king size. Likewise, if your mattresses have seen better days, it could be worth investing in new ones.
If you’re advertising your home as big enough for six guests, but you only have enough seating space for four, you will need to invest in a new sofa or additional chairs. You’ll also need a dining table and enough chairs to accommodate everyone for meals.
These are quite big purchases, so if your budget doesn’t stretch, so you may need to look at other financing options – just remember to stay on top of your repayments. However, these should be considered as an investment as they will ultimately increase the earning potential of your property.
Take good quality photos
The first thing any potential renters look at are the photos, and if they don’t like what they see, they’re not going to even bother reading your carefully crafted property description. Make sure you have a good quality camera to capture your property in its best light and take the pictures on a bright day – you want as much natural light as possible.
Before you take the pictures, get rid of all clutter and put things away in their proper place. Next, add a few accessories to make your place look more inviting – think artwork on a bedroom wall, a vase of flowers in the kitchen or a coffee-table book in the lounge.
Sell your space
Now’s your chance to sock it to potential guests by selling what your home has to offer. Start with a catchy title. What’s the number one thing that’s great about your home? Is it smack-bang in the city centre? Does it have a sunny patio perfect for morning coffee? Period features and a beautiful fireplace? Whatever your major selling point is, make sure to include it in the title.
Next, you need to write your description. You want to make it sound as appealing as possible – but be truthful. If you oversell it, you’ll only end up with disappointed guests. Don’t forget to talk about the location too. Potential guests might not know the area, so make sure to tell them about the amenities and things to do nearby, such as parks and museums, local pubs and restaurants, and how close you are to the bus stop or train station.
Tell them about you
The less you seem like a faceless entity, the more a potential guest is likely to feel comfortable about booking your property. Include a picture of yourself and let them know a little bit about you – your hobbies, interests and what you love about the area that your house is in.
Add some little extras
Going the extra mile can nudge you ahead of the competition. A welcome basket of essentials on arrival, such as milk, tea and coffee can be very welcome, particularly if your guests are arriving late at night. Or how about providing them with a breakfast for their first morning? Complimentary toiletries are also a great way of adding a little oomph to your listing.
Ready to list your place? Armed with these tips, you should be able to make yours stand out from the crowd and become a Super Host in no time!
