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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 3, 2016 15:18:55 GMT
DH and I recently bought a fixer-upper condo at a lake near us, and we just finished our first "flip!" It was very quick and very fun, and it's turning out really nice. It's small, only two bedrooms and one bath, but it has a lovely balcony view of The Lake of the Ozarks in southern Missouri, and we're excited to see if we can make a little extra cash by renting it out in the summer. We're not sure if we're going to list it on Airbnb or try to do it ourselves. It's an hour away, so still not sure how that's going to work.
To give you an idea of the "feel" of the place, we're furnishing it very minimally; clean, airy, well-lit, neutral colors, no knick-knacks. 1 queen bed in each room with small dresser and tables/lamps, sofa/loveseat and tv in living area, table/chairs, barstools in fully-equipped open kitchen, washer/dryer, patio table and grill on deck along with small glider seat. We installed ceiling fans in each bedroom, along with the living area and deck, and put usb ports in several outlets. FLoors are Pergo with a large rug in each bedroom and the living area.
What kind of personal touches do you appreciate when you rent a weekend place, or stay in a hotel or B&B? I assume renters will bring their own toiletries, but should I stock the bathroom similar to a hotel with small shampoo/soap? There will be a large stock of towels and toilet paper in the closet, along with bathroom cleaning supplies, but what about a plug-in air freshener? Room spray?
In the kitchen, I thought it would be nice to stock a few shelf-stable food items, in case anyone checks in late and has hungry kids. Things like pasta, jarred sauce, microwave popcorn. Maybe some granola bars in the freezer??
I plan to buy regular dishes for the kitchen, but also some plastic dishes for using out on the deck. Maybe even some kid-size plates/cups?
One more idea I had was to type out and laminate a few cards indicating what things they need to do before checking out, like turning off the main water line, and pulling the trash to take out to the dumpster. Maybe a few local phone numbers for recommended places to eat or rent a jet ski??
I'd appreciate any tips. We're so excited to hang out there ourselves, but I want to make it the kind of place that gets really good reviews so we can keep it rented.
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Post by mrssmith on May 3, 2016 15:32:16 GMT
What kind of personal touches do you appreciate when you rent a weekend place, or stay in a hotel or B&B? I assume renters will bring their own toiletries, but should I stock the bathroom similar to a hotel with small shampoo/soap? There will be a large stock of towels and toilet paper in the closet, along with bathroom cleaning supplies, but what about a plug-in air freshener? Room spray? In the kitchen, I thought it would be nice to stock a few shelf-stable food items, in case anyone checks in late and has hungry kids. Things like pasta, jarred sauce, microwave popcorn. Maybe some granola bars in the freezer?? I plan to buy regular dishes for the kitchen, but also some plastic dishes for using out on the deck. Maybe even some kid-size plates/cups? One more idea I had was to type out and laminate a few cards indicating what things they need to do before checking out, like turning off the main water line, and pulling the trash to take out to the dumpster. Maybe a few local phone numbers for recommended places to eat or rent a jet ski?? Sounds lovely! I would appreciate soap & shampoo. I would not worry about air freshener personally. Kid plates/cups would be nice if it's a family friendly area and you anticipate families to be renting. Re: food - will you be replenishing after every guest leaves? If not, I would not bother with food. Names and contact info for activities/restaurants in the area is a great idea. Activities for guests to do before checkout is great, but I would bet not every guest will do it, so again, will you be going there after every guest leaves to check on that? If they leave and don't do it, will they be charged? Is it a gas or charcoal grill? Is there wifi? Also - re: cleaning supplies - do you have a broom, mop & vacuum so guests can clean up spills, tracked in sand/dirt? |
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Post by cadoodlebug on May 3, 2016 15:33:24 GMT
Sounds nice. Definitely make a binder with all the do's and don't plus any local information and phone numbers. A large journal where guests can write their experience is a fun touch. Also, to me, good reading lamps in the bedrooms is a must!
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Post by FLA SummerBaby on May 3, 2016 15:45:08 GMT
I think basic toiletries would be nice -- soap, shampoo, toothpaste (trial small size). Bottled water in the fridge. cadoodlebug 's idea of the binder is a great suggestion. |
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quiltz
Drama Llama
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Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on May 3, 2016 15:48:08 GMT
Have some books & magazines for reading. Also provide information about the area. You should be able to get the tourist information from your chamber of commerce.
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Post by omarakbt on May 3, 2016 15:53:44 GMT
The place we rented through VRBO over Christmas had a binder with the numbers to call for services ( such as the plumber which we needed) the wifi password, what to do locally and coupons for discounts at things like the miniature golf, bowling and local eateries.
Unless you use a management service you will need to make the trip after each tenant to clean wash linens and change them all out.
Toiletries are nice, that way if you forget yours or your bag gets lost there is something there Also dish soap paper towels and if there is a dishwasher dish washer tablets. Check in times, check out times where to pick pu the key, where to leave the key The home we had in florida had keyless entry which became available to us at our check in time ( coded)
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Post by peano on May 3, 2016 16:01:57 GMT
Room fresheners or sprays would make me less likely to want to stay there--I have walked away from guaranteed rooms with overpowering smells. I want clean and fresh, not some nauseating, headache-inducing multi-floral nightmare.
If your house has closets, I want more than 3 pathetic bent wire clothes hangers. Give me hangers! A hook on the back of the bathroom door to hang up my toiletry bag. A shower caddy to put my stuff in so it doesn't constantly slip off the side of the tub. A good spray cleaner and dish cleaner for the kitchen and NO cleaning sponges--give me something that doesn't harbor bacteria.
As someone who rents a beach house every summer, here's what I've learned to bring, because the house won't have it, or it will suck.
1. Good knives. I'm not talking Wusthof, but they should be sufficiently sharp so I don't cut my hand off when I'm using them.
2. Good heavy trash bags.
3. Baggies/plastic containers.
4. Extra pillows and blankets/throws.
5. Extension cords/plug extenders. Since your house has been fixed up, hopefully that extends to the electrical, but a lot of the older houses are not set up to handle the multiple devices of today or the plugs aren't located conveniently, such as near the bed.
I do like a binder with info such as menus from local nearby restaurants, brochures from local attractions, house instructions/contact info.
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 3, 2016 16:03:05 GMT
Great ideas! I love the idea of a binder: everything in one organized place that we can add to as it comes up.
Also the bottled water in the fridge would be a nice touch.
Keep 'em coming!
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Post by bc2ca on May 3, 2016 16:10:17 GMT
You might want to consider twin beds or bunkbeds in the second bedroom for a more family friendly rental. Having a sofa bed in the living room is another option to make it more appealing to a family with a boy/girl mix.
Is there lake access or a pool? Have one set of towels for house use and a set of outdoor towels.
A binder of instructions & contact numbers is great. Most places we have used will have brochures or local magazines with event listings sitting on the coffee table. Speaking of coffee, a coffee maker, filters and small supply of ground coffee would be greatly appreciated by this potential guest.
Include instructions for putting out garbage and collection days in your binder.
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Post by Darcy Collins on May 3, 2016 16:12:59 GMT
We rent places a lot. Basic toiletries are essential. Just think what you'd find at a hotel. I would be very sparse with food in the kitchen. It starts to give a weird vibe when there's too much random stuff - sort of like it's someone's home and not a rental. I do appreciate when they leave a little welcome basket - bottle water/bottle of wine/chocolates. Also, basic pans/colander/cooking tools/etc are expected.
I would absolutely not do a plug-in air freshener. One of the few places we won't return was a very lovely ski condo that had several and the smell was just overwhelming and almost instantly gave me a headache.
If you haven't already purchased the queen bed, I'd just say that as a family of 4, we prefer the second bedroom having twins. Particularly if it's only one bath, I'd think you're more likely to see a family with children than two couples who will share a bathroom - but you know the area.
I agree with several PP that a binder with info on wifi passwords, how to work the electronics, and info on the area is always appreciated.
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Deleted
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Sept 28, 2024 22:23:06 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2016 16:13:31 GMT
From the vacation rentals we've used: - If you advertise the condo as "sleeps 4" make sure you have four chairs at the table, and four places to comfortably sit. We once had a "sleeps 6" that only had 4 chairs at the table and one couch. It made the entire week annoying as there were 5 of us.
- It's really nice to have some basic spices -- salt, pepper, coffee sugar, garlic salt. Just a few.
- Plenty of space to put things down in the bathroom so it's easy to do your makeup. Space to keep the dopp kit in there would be even better.
Your place sounds lovely -- Now I want a lake vacation! |
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Post by barbarac on May 3, 2016 16:13:43 GMT
We live in the northeast and have a rental home in Orlando that is used for year-round short term rentals. Because we are so far away we have a management company for problems that pop up and they arrange for the cleaning between guests.
We do not provide any consumables for guests - no food, paper products, soap, etc. The guest needs to bring their own. But we provide everything else. We have plenty of linens, bath towels, pool towels, etc. The kitchen is fully stocked with utensils, coffee maker, toaster, waffle maker, crockpot, pots, pans, dishes, the works. We also have a pack-n-play, high chair and stroller for guests to use. Make sure there is a vacuum cleaner and/or broom and dust pan for any spills.
We have a small tv in each bedroom and a bigger tv in the living area. There is a dvd player for each tv. There is an older wii with some games. Recently a guest asked about board games. We didn't have any but I think that would be a nice thing to have.
We also offer free wifi for guests.
We list it on VRBO and the fees were quite expensive due to a tiering system but they recently announced they are changing to a new system which should be considerable cheaper.
I'm happy to answer any questions.
Good luck!
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styxgirl
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Post by styxgirl on May 3, 2016 16:17:58 GMT
We rented a beach house several years ago on VRBO. That was a really great site to find vacation rentals.
We brought our own toiletries. Except hand soap at the sinks and dishwasher soap.
All towels were there. We had to bring our own laundry soap. But I'm picky so that was ok too.
I appreciated knowing what was in the kitchen... Toaster, blender etc. even that it had a charcoal grill. Helped with meal planning.
I enjoyed the decor that was beach themed. Shells, fish, pictures/sayings about the ocean. This could be easily done for a cabin/lake rental too.
One really nice touch was a guest book that sat on a table by the entryway. Guests could write notes in the book about their stay. It was all love for the area and the home.
Best wishes!
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Post by coaliesquirrel on May 3, 2016 16:25:47 GMT
Since you're at the lake, it might be nice to have a smallish (like "12 can" size) cooler and a couple reusable ice blocks that people could use to take a few drinks and snacks on a picnic or hike. I agree with most of what's been said already, including that I would not stay somewhere that had plug-in air fresheners. If there's a grill available, it would be nice if you had s'more sticks available for people to use.
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Post by ktdoesntscrap on May 3, 2016 16:39:56 GMT
I spent many summers at the Lake of the Ozarks. I would definitely include restaurants, grocery stores etc that are near your mile marker. I remember in college driving hours to get to a restaurant that would have been 20 minutes by boat... so that sort of information would have been useful.
I think a good supply of spices and basics is appreciated.
Refillable shampoo and conditioner in the showers, and hand soap is a great cheaper way of suppling those useful things.
I stayed at a cottage in England that had the pasta, jar of sauce, for an emergency meal. I was pregnant and we needed it. It was a godsend. I think that is a great idea.
I like brochures and local guides to flip through, and a leave one take one book policy is good.
A few board games for rainy days and of course good wifi.
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iluvpink
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Post by iluvpink on May 3, 2016 16:43:31 GMT
Haven't read the other replies so I may be repeating. When we've rented via VRBO etc, most places have just a starter set of t.p., paper towels, kleenex, dish soap/dishwasher detergent and laundry detergent. Not what you will need for a whole week but enough to get you started.
We stay at a condo in Hilton Head and the owners have a couple of binders with information on the area, things to do, basics like emergency info etc. They also have another binder with menus from local restaurants, that came in handy. They have a guest book where people can write reviews and recommendations on things they did, places they went etc.
So far all have provided towels and sheets, though not an over abundance. One thing that I really liked in Hilton Head was the owners had wall plug in emergency flashlights in every room. Not something you would need ordinarily but in a power outage that would be very nice to have.
None of the condos we have rented have had food provided. I think the place we rented in Florida did have some packs of coffee for the machine. Oh they all had those picnic type containers of salt and pepper, but that was it lol! Handy though!
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Anita
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Post by Anita on May 3, 2016 16:50:23 GMT
I second the guest book. We stayed in a seaside condo last summer that had a guest book. I think reading what other people had done while they were there was fun. People even left tips on their favorite places to eat nearby.
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Post by debmast on May 3, 2016 16:56:36 GMT
Sounds nice. Definitely make a binder with all the do's and don't plus any local information and phone numbers. A large journal where guests can write their experience is a fun touch. Also, to me, good reading lamps in the bedrooms is a must! I like the binder idea too. I've loved when rentals have binders with what they want done before checkout, plus info about the area - shopping, restaurants, fun facts and sights to see. Also like the journal. We've stayed at places that have those and I love reading about other people's experiences there. |
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keithurbanlovinpea
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on May 3, 2016 17:14:53 GMT
Everyone has mentioned things that are on my brain. I would add that not only should the towels and sheets be there, but please don't buy the cheapest ones. Something of decent quality please. And check on them every few months to see if they need replacing. Same thing for plates, silverware, knives, etc. Good ones are appreciated, but don't let years go by without checking on their condition. It sucks when the listing says the rental has "pots & pans" and you get there and there is one sauce pan and one small frying pan (that is warped and wobbles on the stove), or "silverware" and there are 3 forks, 1 spoon and 12 butter knives.
I will bring one thing to the table... Please, or please please LIST OUT in your rental listing what you do and don't provide. We VRBO in places a lot, and it is so annoying when the listing doesn't say anything about TP, paper towels, whatever, and I am left to wonder... should I bring buy paper towels or TP? And then I do and there are 12 rolls. It doesn't have to be detailed, just something like "Starter set of paper towels and TP provided. Guest must provide own beyond that."
ETA: Oh, and please tell me what to do with trash and recyclables (if applicable). Where do I put the trash bags? Where is the trash can or chute? Am I expected to put the trash can on the street on a certain day (house) or pull the trash before I leave?
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quiltz
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Post by quiltz on May 3, 2016 17:25:01 GMT
If you provide linens & towels, who does the laundry in between guests? Is this the same person who cleans between guests?
I would provide kitchen towels but not towels for personal use.
Provide a complete & specific list of what guests need to bring.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2016 17:27:27 GMT
If you expect to make it family friendly, I would want two twin beds in one of the bedrooms. Do you have a pull out too?
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likescarrots
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Post by likescarrots on May 3, 2016 17:31:51 GMT
My tips would be:
1. Install a small safe for guests to keep their valuables.
2. Don't clutter the place up with decorations. I stayed at a condo once where they must have had 50 fake plants in glass pots and glass knick knacks everywhere. Everywhere i turned i felt like i was going to knock something over and break it. I was really glad i didn't have any kids with me, i would have been a nervous wreck. In general i would say keep it extra light on the decoration.
Eta, after reading your post, i would say no on the food. I don't like it when there is food in the rental, i wouldn't eat it and i would feel uncomfortable putting my food in with it.
And as a renter, no way would i attempt to turn off the water line.
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Post by BlueDiamond on May 3, 2016 17:36:46 GMT
I agree with everything listed above. Here's what I can add:
- ice cube trays, if the freezer does not make its own ice. Sounds simple, but if there isn't any, guest would have to go buy a big bag of ice ... very inconvenient!
- in the binder, list 24 hour drug stores and nearby urgent care centers. There have been a couple of vacations where the kids got sick in the middle of the night, and we were frantically trying to find a 24 hour drug store (this was before smart phones).
- letting guests know of any pest problem, such as mosquitos, bees, deer, etc. Just so that they are aware of not letting food sit outdoors or if they need mosquito spray.
- board games, movies (if there is a DVD player), list of movie theaters nearby. Some families bring their own games/entertainment, but if there are rainy/bad weather days, it's nice to have something fun to do or a place to go see a movie.
Good luck!
ETA: Just thought of something else: small first aid kit, or at least an assortment of band-aids. Parents will thank you!
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Post by mrssmith on May 3, 2016 17:38:47 GMT
ITA with a place to put toiletries in the bathroom. We stayed at a very nicely renovated hotel once that did not have any place to put stuff. Super annoying. Extra hooks, small shelving unit in the bathroom would be great.
ITA also with the hangers and kitchenware!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2016 17:46:36 GMT
I have a big 2 gallon glass jar in my guest room that I put all sorts of travel sizes, toothpaste samples in there of soap, shampoo, extras from hotels, etc and it's always a hit as it pretty much has everything you could need.
I'd love to see an assortment of local menus or places that deliver. I'd also like to see a little local attractions book/home tips binder (like you would find on a hotel desk) with anything I need to know or local happenings. I'd laminate any instructions (thermostat, etc) and place those on or next to the item.
I wouldn't worry about stocking any food. If I were checking in, I wouldn't touch it as it wasn't mine. I would make sure there is a good coffeemaker, lots of kitchen items, pots and pans for me to use. We tend to cook in most times and eat out occasionally while on vacation.
Does it have a washer and dryer there? Do you plan on providing sheets/towels? Do they have to clean it before departure or will you be doing that?
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Post by disneypal on May 3, 2016 17:49:02 GMT
I have a cabin in the woods that I rent once a year. They have towels and linens and blankets and such.
They allow pets, so if you are going to allow pets, include 2 bowls for the dogs and special towels for drying off the dogs, maybe a couple of leashes.
Leave a guest book for your guest to sign and leave a message about how they liked the place.
It is nice to have some magazines and books to read (like a small library) - guest can keep the books so don't put anything out that you wouldn't make walking away - maybe get some popular paper backs from a thrift store/goodwill.
In the bathroom, have a small basket that has samples of shampoo, conditioner, body wash (just in case they forget their own)
In the kitchen, leave some spices, pots and pan and some nice but inexpensive dishes, glasses and flatware. The cabin I stay in also has some local listings of restaurants and shopping. They also left cookbooks (we didn't use them but did enjoy looking at them).
Also, maybe in the top of a closet, have a few board games or puzzles (games like Checkers, a deck of cards, Monopoly, puzzles with lake themes)
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 3, 2016 17:52:16 GMT
I am loving all of these ideas. I'm crossing plug in air fresheners off my list and adding flashlights. I also thought of a first aid kit, band aids, sunscreen, aloe, tampons, disposable razors, and small sizes of shampoo and toothpaste. I think I'll create a little basket of things with a note attached: "In case you forgot something" and tuck those things inside, like dollar store toothbrushes and sample size products just in case.
Definitely doing the binder, and including not only good local recommendations, but tips for getting there as well as urgent care and 24 hour stores.
We'll be headed to IKEA this weekend to buy all new dishes and kitchen ware, so I'll start off with ample supplies of everything, but I plan to create an inventory to refer to and replenish as needed. Same with towels: we'll buy new, fluffy, nice towels for the bath that are soft and not cheap. I hate cheap hotel towels, so I want to provide the same quality that I'd expect.
I don't want to have any clutter, but I'll keep a few current magazines and board games in a closed tv cabinet. We will have wifi, and plenty of outlets, but I'll note all the instructions in the binder. A friend suggested taking a photo of the tv remote and including instructions on how to operate it. Same with any fuse panels in case of an electrical outage.
There is a pool onsite, but there are only a few deck chairs there, so I think we'll tuck four foldable patio chairs in a closet, along with a few pool toys, a beach tote, and a small cooler.
My list is so long! I'll be sure to post pics when it's all ready. THANKS so much!
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MorningPerson
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Post by MorningPerson on May 3, 2016 17:54:36 GMT
[Sorry, I only have a couple of minutes and have only skimmed your replies, so I apologize if you've already heard my suggestions.] We've stayed at several places from VRBO, AirBnB, etc., so we have some experience here. Some of our hosts have asked us questions about the ages of those staying, what time we'd be arriving, etc., and have provided us with things that were so thoughtful and helpful. For example, when one host found out we were traveling with small children and arriving late in the evening, they let us know that they would have milk and cereal on hand for the morning (and asked our preferences on those). Once when it was just my husband and me, our host had a bottle of wine chilling in the fridge.  Board games are always good to have on hand for rainy days. One very important thing: when you provide information in a binder, laminated sheet, or whatever, MAKE SURE THE REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS ARE PROMINENT! A couple of years ago we stayed in a 150+ year old farmhouse in the Catskills. It was a great place, and they had many things available to make our stay comfortable. BUT! They gave us a ton of detailed information, but buried deep in the several-page long document was a very important instruction regarding the water pump. We missed seeing that item, which unfortunately resulted in really dirty water coming out of all the faucets when we turned the water on, and it never really cleared during our 3 nights there. We had to find the nearest town which was several miles away to purchase water for cooking and drinking. If I remember right, we skipped showers the first night or two until the water started clearing.  We felt horrible about it, and thankfully it didn't cause any permanent damage to their place, but if they had just put the really important stuff at the top we wouldn't have missed that item. |
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Post by BlueDiamond on May 3, 2016 17:55:15 GMT
wrongwayfeldman - sounds like your place will be fantastic! Wish I were close by, I'd definitely reserve it!
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Post by cadoodlebug on May 3, 2016 18:16:47 GMT
wrongwayfeldman - sounds like your place will be fantastic! Wish I were close by, I'd definitely reserve it! [/b] Seriously! Maybe all your guests will be Peas!  |
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We felt horrible about it, and thankfully it didn't cause any permanent damage to their place, but if they had just put the really important stuff at the top we wouldn't have missed that item.