Virily Editor
Several years ago, the hospitality industry took a big hit because of the worldwide pandemic. Businesses shut down, countries closed their borders, and millions of people were forced to isolate at home or at least limit their movements for a significant portion of the year. This drastically reduced the number of travelers visiting new destinations.
However, the pandemic emergency eventually diminished, things opened back up, and the travel industry came back with gusto. Many had spent so much time at home that they needed to get out and explore the world. Others simply returned to their normal adventurous habits.
Getting involved in the hospitality industry, specifically the realm of vacation rentals, can be incredibly profitable with the right strategy. If you want to build a successful vacation rental business, then here are a few ideas that you should consider.
What Type of Property to Invest in
Travelers do not behave like a monolith. Individuals have very different tastes and needs when they are exploring the world either for pleasure or business. Before you even consider how to grow a vacation rental business, you need to decide what type of property you will invest in to provide accommodations for potential guests. Will you offer a large home by the beach for high-end travelers? Could you convert part of your home into an Airbnb? Should you purchase or design a tiny home for those slightly more frugal travelers?
The possibilities are numerous for the type of vacation property you could provide, so research what is popular in the area you want to serve.
Financing Your Investment
Now, you have to determine how you are going to finance your investment in vacation properties. Vacation rental investing offers some unique financing options that can make it easier for you to afford the property. First, you could take out a conventional loan like you may have for your current home. Second, a DSCR loan is given based on a rental property’s projected income compared to monthly costs and mortgage payments. A third option is to take out a home line of credit or cash-out refinance based on your current equity in your home.
These financing options can provide you with enough cash to afford a vacation property or cover the down payment for a new loan.
On-Site Vs Off-Site Management
Another decision to make for your vacation rental is whether you will manage it in person on your own or hire someone else to do so. If the property is located in another city, state, or country, then you may need to rely on remote management for your vacation rental. This will force you to hire an on-site property management entity or individual. However, if you live close to this property, then you can handle most of the management tasks yourself. It usually comes down to how much time and energy you are willing to devote to this investment.
Creating Scale Potential
Many vacation rental owners are content with having one property that they can offer to guests. However, maybe you are a little more ambitious and want to build a vacation rental empire. You’ll need the right tools to accomplish that goal. The larger your rental portfolio is, the more complicated it will become to operate. You may have to build a team to help you manage the various properties. Eventually, you may be using enough online tools and property management software to justify investing in cloud solutions with help from organizations like getgsi.com to reduce your overhead costs.
Consider what needs to be in place so that your vacation rental empire can scale effectively without collapsing under the weight of growth.
Crafting the Perfect Guest Experience
Vacation rentals are extremely dependent on good reviews to attract more guests. On Airbnb, for example, a rental experience is rated out of 5 stars, and this number is often the top consideration for travelers looking for accommodations. Crafting a 5-star experience is essential to make your guests happy.
This may include providing amenities like free wifi, laundry services, cleaning services, pet-friendly options, access to entertainment, nearby attraction guides, and a welcoming atmosphere. If direct communication with guests is involved, maintain a friendly attitude and respond promptly to all questions. The better their travel experience, the more likely they are to recommend your property to others.
Be Prepared to Work Hard
Building a successful vacation rental business is not easy. Even if you offload the management of the property to a third-party firm, there is still a lot of work that goes into finding a property, financing it, and preparing it to host guests. You’ll have to decide how to furnish and decorate the property to attract guests, what amenities to provide, and how to foster positive relationships and communication with guests.
While vacation rentals can turn into a form of passive income with time, the upfront work needed to reach that point will be extensive. If you are just starting on your vacation rental property journey, follow the strategies listed above to have the best chance of building a successful hospitality business.
