In this unprecedented time of a pandemic that directly affects our vacation rental industry we need to find ways to stay busy and protect our investments. Today’s blog post is on some ideas of ways to spruce up your property in this downtime and get it ready for action when the tourism industry bounces back.
I personally decided to go stay in my condo in this unusually vacant time to check things out and work on anything that needs to be worked on. I feel like being in the space for a few days really brings to my attention things that need to be fixed more than a stop by visit would. Here is a list I compiled of some ways to protect and upgrade your investment:
Inspect Your Property
Go through the unit and make sure everything is working as it should. Turn light switches on and off. Plug electrical items into outlets to make sure they’re all operating. Open cupboards and drawers to make sure they’re all working smoothly. There’s a lot you can order online to upgrade your place and fix little problems without going to the store.
Be Proactive
This is a good time to do things that are harder to do when you have a full schedule of guests. Spraying the unit is a good example. I like this all-natural cedar spray that is non-toxic. It works great but is a very strong cedar smell for guests and I would normally do it 2 or 3 days before someone checks in. This is also a great time for spring cleaning. Do that deeper cleaning of the nooks and crannies around your place. I wrote about deep cleaning in a previous blog post titled “Spring deep cleaning checklist”. Check it out!
Prioritize Security
Install a motion detector light outside your front door. Replace locks that are getting faulty. Now there are locks that are programmed wirelessly and the code can be changed for each new guest. This could come in super handy as I’m sure people will still be wary of contact even after the quarantine lifts. This could be the perfect time to order a new lock or motion detector light for your precious investment.
Check Up on Your AC and Heating
Clean out filters and make sure everything is running properly. Check pipes and make sure everything is in order. Issues with these appliances can be difficult to deal with during busier times.
Give Your Online Rental Profile an Overhaul
Whether it be on Airbnb or one of the other platforms, go through every tab. Update anything that needs to be updated. Read over your condo description. See where improvements can be made in your description. Also, list any current upgrades you have added since the last time you updated the profile.
I hope that helps, I’d like to remind everyone to keep their chin up. Remember to eat well, exercise, laugh when you can and do the things that keep your spirits up! This too shall pass!
