Congratulations on the purchase of your home in beautiful Greece! You have an ideal location with stunning sea views. Now you are ready to start renting. It may seem easy to set up a rental business and bring in bookings, but there are some pitfalls to avoid. Here are the most frequently made mistakes that rental owners make, and how to avoid them.
Some hosts think that a lower price automatically generates more bookings. This is not always the case. Guests may wonder why your property is so cheap and question the quality.
Solution: Be detailed in your description. Provide detailed information about the condition of the rooms and answer frequently asked questions in your ad. Consider questions about local beaches, restaurants, and parking options. The more your prospective guests know, the better they can imagine what their stay will be like.
A brief description of your property, listing only bedrooms and basic amenities, does not give a good idea of what guests can expect. This can come across as unprofessional and possibly put your guests off.
Solution: Be detailed in your description. Provide detailed information about the condition of the rooms and answer frequently asked questions in your ad. Consider questions about local beaches, restaurants, and parking options. The more your prospective guests know, the better they can imagine what their stay will be like.
Over time, minor damages or missing items may appear in your home. Even something small, such as a missing bottle opener, can lead to complaints.
Solution: Schedule regular visits to your home to make sure everything is in order. By inspecting regularly, you can spot problems early and prevent them from escalating. Invest in quality items; what used to seem like a luxury is now a standard expectation.
Good photos are crucial to presenting your property attractively. Taking photos with a smartphone is not always enough.
Solution: consider hiring a professional photographer. Professional photos can increase the attractiveness of your property by as much as 32%. If you take your own photos, make sure you prepare well: tidy up your home, remove personal items and use a tripod for the best results.
Some amenities, such as minibars or fitness rooms, may prove less valuable than expected. Guests often value honesty and local touches more than untapped luxuries.
Solution: focus on improving your home’s outdoor space. In Greece, where outdoor living is popular, it pays to invest in a well-appointed outdoor space. Consider dining areas, lounging, cooking and even showering outside. Luxury sunbeds and a well-equipped outdoor space can set your home apart from the competition.
Outsourcing maintenance, management and rental
Don’t have the time or ability to regularly inspect your home? Then consider outsourcing maintenance and management to Second Home Rhodes. Read more here about how we can take most of the renting off your hands.
