There’s a lot of media coverage about vacation rentals at the moment which is interesting as it shows an increased focus on what to many north Americans is a niche vacation product. The latest article in the Wall Street Journal comments on a phenomenom with the handy acronym SNAD or ‘Significantly Not As Described’. Sadly […]
This is a question I hear frequently. Vacation home owners are always reviewing their past occupancy; thinking about improvements and most important of all, considering whether to raise their rates for the next year. With the current economic climate, the rise in vacation rental properties coming onto the market, and changes in travel demographics, it’s […]
I’ve already seen indicators that there will be a lot more rental properties on the market in the coming year. The second home market has always been volatile in uncertain economic times, and the potential for a fall in value is prompting more owners to consider renting to ride out the storm. This will increase […]
I’ve received a lot of emails recently about damage deposits for vacation rentals, and what circumstances should occur before a charge is made. This is a thorny issue and one that needs some thought and reflection before making a decision. Where do you draw the line on additional cleaning? What constitutes normal ‘wear and tear’? […]
I’ve heard the expression, ‘it’s just a cottage’, too many times. Used to make excuses for tired and mis-matched furniture, saggy mattresses, ancient appliances and 70’s décor, it’s a cop out. Having ‘just a cottage’ is absolutely fine… unless it is being rented out. Some friends of mine were over from UK last week. They’d […]
No matter how well you screen your renters, talk to them before their vacation, and educate them with your cottage manual, there is a risk of damage. Some damage we can accept and will write off, but there’s other situations where we must take a practical approach and put the responsibility for payment firmly in […]
"If you are told you can’t have it – you want it more! Ever watched a child in a candy or toy store?" Lay My Hat Forum contributor I was reading an interesting thread on the Lay My Hat forum this morning. The gist was that the more honest you are about the shortcomings […]
What do the terms, “luxury cottage”, “upscale cottage rental” or “executive property” mean to you? Do you use any of these terms to describe your cottage, and if so, what criteria do base your description on? Craig and I were driving up to Fenelon Falls yesterday to view a ‘luxury, executive’ cottage, and as we […]
What one thing can make your cottage vacation rental easier to manage as well as leaving you feeling comfortable about the guests you have staying? What can also increase your income in the off season, and boost your referral rates significantly? The secret is in your returning guests. Those wonderful families that come back year […]
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