LEVANTE LIFESTYLE

ARE YOU “READY TO RENT”?

By Adele Land

Christmas is coming… and that’s pretty much all that we’re thinking about at the moment.

Tis the season of endless festive TV advertising, but watch this space - we will soon be bombarded by relentless holiday commercials depicting idyllic images of paradise beaches, tempting us to drift off and imagine ourselves basking in the sunshine, sipping *bleep*tails and escaping from the chilly winter gloom. It is no coincidence that January is one of the busiest months for advance holiday bookings, so to ensure you don’t miss out on any potential summer rentals, ask yourself: “Is my property ready to rent?”

Holidaymakers are becoming more and more discerning and are demanding higher standards than ever before. Many people travel frequently on business, staying in quality hotels. In general your average working person has a higher disposable income and often takes more than one holiday per year. They look to stay in accommodation that is of the same standard as their own home, or which is the type of home they aspire to own.

With an increasing number of rental properties for people to choose from, it is essential that yours stands out from the crowd. Gone are the days when holidaymakers were satisfied with somewhere to sleep, a fridge in which to keep the beer cool, and hot and cold running water (if they were lucky!)
Extra facilities, such as Sky TV, DVD player and music system are often top priority for family renters, while air conditioning and/or ceiling fans are high on the list for visitors in the peak months of July and August.

Take a look at the overall presentation of your property; does it look fresh and inviting? If the answer is no, then it’s time to put in some effort and bring it up to standard in order to tempt those holidaymakers as they browse through websites choosing their well earned summer break.

Revamping your property for rentals need not cost the earth. Key areas to look at are:

• Furnishings. If your sofa has seen better days it is not always necessary to fork out for a new one. A cheerful throw can work just as well and it is easy to wash.
• Kitchen utensils and cutlery take some heavy wear and tear, and replacing them is relatively inexpensive.
• If your plastic garden furniture is yellowing and grubby looking, maybe it’s time to replace it. Harder wearing materials can be just as cheap and give a modern fresh feel to your terrace.
• Linen and towels are another key area. Matching bed sets in neutral colours and thick fluffy towels give your property a luxurious feel.

If your property is new and unfurnished, consider using a furnishing service company to save time and hassle. Your rental agent will also be able to assist you, as they are the ones with experience in the demands of today’s renters.

Ask them to assess your property. They can give you invaluable advice on how to present your property to its best potential and a good agent will not be afraid to be honest!
A small amount of effort can reap huge rewards in terms of bookings and any costs will be more than covered by increased rental revenue. Remember, happy guests often lead to repeat bookings.