Managing and staging a vacation rental is pretty much the same whether the property is in Panama City, Florida or elsewhere in the country. Where one might want to change some of the details is in the customizing certain aspects to reflect local tastes.
Here are some suggestions for how to stage a vacation rental to make it the most appealing to prospective renters:
1. Invest Money at the Start
Be willing to put the money into the property at the start in order to reap the rewards later on. This means paying up for vacation rental photographs if the rental agent doesn't do them themselves or the quality is not to your liking. Add attractive linens in the bedroom. Provide comfortable furnishings. Make the property a home so that tenants will treat it better.
2. Don't Stage for Photos & Then Remove the Staging
With a vacation rental, the staging has to actually be real. This means that the nicer couch doesn't get rented for day just for the photos for the website and then disappears again.
3. Refresh the Look, Don't Change It Significantly
Add to the look with a fresh coat of paint or some improved lighting fixtures. Don't change the property so that it's so far removed from the property images that prospective renters feel duped. Make improvements subtle and gradual.
4. What Are Their Expectations?
Depending on the area, the expectations can be different. Some people may expect a refrigerator that is stocked up. Other people may want a vacation home that they can use as a second office while they're away. In which case they'll expect a fast Wi-Fi connection and a place to sit with their laptop.
5. Clean-up Between Renters
The property manager should spring clean between renters. This doesn't just mean running a vacuum over the carpets and emptying the trash bin.
Jason Koertge – Co-Founder of Panama City Beach Luxury Properties points out that, “New renters don't want to see old toothpaste in the bathroom and half-used dish washing liquid in the kitchen. They want to imagine themselves in the property having a great vacation.”
6. De-clutter the Property
Look to go more minimalist with the furniture without making the property look vacant. Using less furniture has the effect of making the interior appear more spacious.
7. Use Neutral Colors
When re-decorating, choose more neutral colors that bring light into the property and won't offend any sensibilities. Make sure that the decor doesn't favor a man or a woman particularly.
8. Don't Skimp on the Creature Comforts
It is often the little things that people remember. The luxurious pillows that they really just sunk into. The written instructions left to explain how to use the TV or reconnect the internet when it's lost its connection suddenly...
Staging a vacation rental is all about making it feel comfortable to new people. It won't be like their home, but it is possible to turn that into an advantage rather than a disadvantage.
