Here are some great ideas to help you market your property online.

Her is a sample of the professional photography you will get of your home.  This photo on the left was taken with a normal camera and lens.  The photo on the right was taken with a special camera and software was used to enhance the photo.

Rental Photos…”A picture is worth a thousand words”

It is important to have “great” photos of your vacation rental. When surfers compare your place to another they first compare the photos… it's only natural. So please take some important advice… the better the photos the more bookings you will be able to make.The photo on the left is a typical vacation rental photo and the one on the right is one of our photos we took.

Other services include keeping an emergency key for you, referring you to a house cleaner or installing a "combination keyless door lock".
Click here for a photo of a combination keyless entry lock, information and purchase instructions.
http://keylessentrylocks.com. Click here for a photo of a door hanging lockbox, information and purchase instructions.

Try to stage the home …just pick up a Good Housekeeping magazine to get some ideas. Some additional things to remember are good lighting, find a good focal point, try standing on a step ladder or a chair. Remember the internet is changing the way vacation rentals are marketed …by all means spend a little extra time taking your photos... it will pay off a 100 times over.

In order to be “right on the money in pricing your unit you will have to do some research on what your competition charges. It might even be a good idea to see what professional management companies are charging in your area for the same size unit.

After signing up for our service you will get some great tips regarding this subject.

The best way to receive payment is to have the renter send a personal check provided that it is sent in advance.

What to charge for a cleaning fee or a damage deposit? Cleaning fees will depend on the size of your unit but an average fee is $90 for the Palm Springs area. The damage deposit averages $250 - $500.

If you are going to allow pets it is a good idea to increase the deposit an additional $50.

The best way to handle the “key” distribution problem is to not distribute the keys at all.
General Electric has a “key lockbox” that has a combination. It will hold two keys. Ever couple of months you can have your housecleaner change the combination or just have three lockboxes and change them now and then. You should also put your telephone number and the house cleaners telephone number in the lockbox in case the renter locks the keys in the house and your phone number is in the house.

Another option is a “push button code door handle” or “keyless entry door lock” for the front door of your condo. (you have probably seen them on some newer cars.). The cost is around $120 - $250 at Home Depot and are very easy to install and very easy to have your housecleaner change the code (as often as you like).

Remember there is always going to be a “lost key issue”. Just be prepared and think ahead. You might give an extra key to a neighbor or have a “special hidden lockbox”. Having an extra key will be definitely worth the added expense, it is just too easy.

By all means don’t let this key thing scare you… thousands and thousands of homeowners are renting out their places themselves. If they can do it so can you!

Vacation Rental Consulting, a professional services firm based in Palm Desert , CA, provides Internet solutions through the combined expertise of advisory, design, technology, and online marketing solutions. Robert Reynolds has experience promoting vacation rentals online having owned numerous properties himself.

We do more than talk about solutions. We make them happen every day for our clients. 

It is important to take a little extra time and turn your webpage into a great sales brochure. Here are some ideas for you to consider:
What words best describe the vacation rental.
Tell the prospective renter about your location and view.
What are the most important features.
Tell them why your property is better.
Finish up with a conclusion
Above all check for spelling errors.