Are you considering turning your Orange County home into a short-term rental income property? No matter the time of year, our part of the world remains a sought-after destination for both domestic and international travelers. Your property in Anaheim and surrounding areas can provide a simple and effective means for you to earn passive income that covers the ongoing costs of property ownership and maintenance — and then some. Whether you want to rent out your property on a short-term basis part of the year or year-round, demand for short-term rentals is climbing in communities such as:
- Anaheim
- Buena Park
- Huntington Beach
- Newport Beach
- Laguna Beach
- Mission Viejo
- Placentia
- Fullerton
- Costa Mesa
- San Clemente
- City of Orange
Attracting a steady stream of quality tenants is key to the success of any short-term rental property in Orange County. So, how do you attract the quality tenants you are searching for? And how do you help your property stand out from other properties in the area that are being rented out on a short-term basis? Here are six ways to keep your property occupied by respectful tenants:
1. Maintain curb appeal. An attractive-looking rental property is more likely to be treated with respect by its tenants. Make sure your property looks nice online and in person. It may sound simple, but a clean and freshly painted front door, a welcome mat and wreath, flowers, new mulch and attractive outdoor lighting all set the stage for a successful visit. Keep your pathways swept, the lawn mowed and all other landscaping elements maintained on an ongoing basis.
Curb appeal can not only help you attract quality tenants, but it can increase your ratings and referrals, guest satisfaction and ultimately, your occupancy rate. Your goal is for guests to view both your home’s exterior and interior as well-maintained, up-to-date, clean and tidy and share it with others.
2. Ensure all safety devices are working properly. An ideal tenant is going to pay attention to locks, smoke detectors and other safety items such as alarm systems or special locks on your windows or doors. It’s important to them and it should be important to you. Make sure any security measures, such as motion-activated lighting, are working as they should. A keyless entry, like those found with hotel rooms, can be a nice and modern touch.
3. Keep up with all repairs and maintenance. You need to make sure that your home is well-maintained and up-to-date on all repairs. Someone who is on vacation doesn’t want to deal with a cabinet that doesn’t shut quite properly, a squeaky door or a bathroom sink that goes drip, drip, drip all night long.
4. Inform them of area amenities and things to do. A high-quality tenant is likely interested in your community as a whole and the area in which you live. They’ll want to be involved in activities and are generally curious about what they can do in our town. Make sure you help them to know their options and encourage them to explore. A guide to all of the activities and great places to eat near your rental would be appreciated.
5. Be openly communicative. This starts with a well-written advertisement, which includes everything your home offers, and continues through a tenant’s visit. Sell your property, but don’t oversell it and make it sound better than it is. A tenant wants to know that they can rely on open communication and honesty.
6. Be detail-oriented. Have you ever stayed somewhere on vacation and found a lot of small things that weren’t right? Annoying, isn’t it? That’s why partnering with PMI Sunny OC is such a great way to go. We do 100% of the work for just a fraction of the proceeds from your bookings – from booking to housekeeping – from maintenance to concierge, to detail work such as changing out smoke detector batteries. We make sure the entire customer experience is great for your tenants, which helps increase your ratings and occupancy over time and allows you to maximize your investment.
Managing your vacation rental shouldn’t be a second (full-time) job. PMI Sunny OC works with the finest vendors to bring you the most advanced services in the industry that can help you protect and maximize the investment in your California rental property.
