If you are planning to rent out your vacation home in a popular area you will need to do whatever you can to make your listings stand out from the other vacation rentals that people can choose from. If you are smart about your listing you can keep your vacation home rented throughout the tourist season and bring in the extra income that you want. Here are some expert real estate agent and designer tips you can use to make your online vacation listing pop.

1. Hire The Right Stager

Staging your vacation home for listing is very important because guests will be making the decision to book your home based on what they see in the listing. Hire someone local to the area who has experience in playing up the best features of a vacation home. The furniture used should be comfortable and inviting and should show off the best features of the home. If your home is beachfront or waterfront the furniture should be arranged in ways that show off the natural views outside and make the best use of the proximity to the beach.

2. Interior Design Trends to Make a Statement

If your vacation home looks outdated or dingy people will surf right by it. People who are going on vacation want to stay in a place that is luxe, trendy, and looks updated and cared for. New paint in colors that complement the location is a must. For example, in a beach house use hues that will mimic the natural colors outside like blues and pale greens. In a vacation home in a remote woodsy location use deep greens, browns and natural colors. Update the home to include on trend design elements like an open kitchen with durable and attractive countertops, modern light fixtures, and gorgeous flooring like distressed hardwood floors.

You should also pay a lot of attention to the small details of the rooms. The curtains, pillows, blankets, and bedding will all make an impression on potential renters. The home should look contemporary and on trend but also relaxing and comfortable. Those little details like pops of color in throw pillows, accent walls using wood or natural materials, and painted trim and molding make a big visual impact.

3. Make Sure the Pictures Show Off Your Home

It’s easy to take high quality pictures with any smartphone these days, but when you are listing your vacation home on a rental site you should really hire a professional photographer. Choose a local photographer who knows when the local light is best and how to capture the water, the fields, or whatever natural landscape is around the home. Professional photos of the interior of the home will show off your home to the best advantage. Having pictures that truly show of the house, location, and all the features of your listing will help your vacation home standout online.

4. Help Guests Even Before They Rent Your Home

Providing your guests with extra information is a great way to attract renters. On your listing mention things like the best family activities in the area or the best places to eat. If your rental home has a kitchen make sure that you let your guests know where the local supermarkets are if they want to buy groceries instead of eating out. Suggest local farmer’s markets and specialty gourmet stores. Make sure that the kitchen has a full set of cookware, plates, and dishes and show photos of them in the listing so guests know they can cook their own meals in the home.

5. Consider Posting a Virtual Tour

A virtual tour is something that guests will really appreciate. Utilize a 360 camera and a virtual tour software to create a simple virtual tour that will really show off your home. This will help give vacation goers a realistic view of the home before they get in the door. Adding a virtual tour to your rental listing will help you book more guests.

About the Author:

Corey Tyner is the owner of Phoenix Fast Sell and Austin Fast Sell Home Buyers. He is one of the top real estate investors in Arizona with over a decade of experience. His work has been featured on Bigger Pockets, Real Estate Agent Magazine, and several other real estate investor publications.