During the holiday season, lots of people need short-term affordable accommodations. If you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash during the holidays or your home is going to be vacant for an extended period while you travel, consider making your house the perfect holiday rental or Airbnb destination.
Getting it ready to rent isn’t easy, especially given how many other stressors we face during this time of year. But try your best to view the process as an opportunity to clean up your home and make it a more comfortable place to live. When you’re finished sprucing up, the result should be a clean and attractive house in good rentable condition. Put together a checklist and work your way through, checking off each item as it is completed. Take inspiration from the following tips to help get you started.
Clean, Clean, Clean
Cleaning your home is a no-brainer when it comes to getting your home rent-ready. But what areas should you focus on? In general, the floors, windows and blinds throughout your home should be given a lot of attention. Depending on the condition of your carpets, you may want to consider shampooing them or having them professionally treated to remove stains. If your home has hardwood floors you can easily give them a deep clean and apply a coat of wax for extra sheen.
Invest in a couple of new area rugs for an extra cozy touch, and don’t forget to check for cob webs and spiders in inconspicuous places like corners and walls. Consider putting out a holiday spice potpourri or air freshener to keep the place spelling fresh and festive.
Declutter and Remove Personal Items
Decluttering your home is something you should do at least once per year, but especially if you are getting it ready to rent out. Use storage bins to organize your items into three categories – things you intend to get rid of, items you want to donate, and belongings you will keep. Make use of CORT’s versatile storage Trunk Ottoman that combines style and convenience, allowing you to store a range of items in pretty much any room in your home.
Since you’ll be housing guests in your home, make sure you pay attention to removing personal items from your common areas such as the hallway, living room and kitchen. Find a place for loose clothing, jackets, shoes, bags, toys, and loose paperwork. If you have valuable furnishings or fixtures you don’t want stolen or damaged, make sure to remove them before it is too late. Add a few simple holiday decorations to your home-away-from-home rental such as a mini Christmas tree with lights, a festive wreath on the door, or some holiday throw cushions in your living room.
Update with Fresh Accessories
You don’t need to have a big budget to update your space with new accessories. Simply focus on the items you feel will have the biggest impact. For example, a decorative mirror and a standout framed piece of artwork in your hallway will help make a great first impression. A fresh bouquet of flowers in your kitchen, or some faux greenery such as CORT’S elegant Silk Tree or this Contemporary Grasses Plant placed in your living room will help infuse fresh energy into your home. A few lights or ornaments on the greenery and stockings on the mantle will add a magical holiday touch.
You may also want to consider adding soft lighting to your hallway or office space. This Stacked Gold Floor Lamp is an ideal choice for giving your space a warm glow during the cool winter months. Or, you may want to spruce up your guest bedroom with a set of modern table lamps available to rent on CORT.com. Other accessory ideas include fresh hand towels and washcloths.
Anticipate Their Needs
Anticipate your short-term tenants’ needs by identifying what they may need during their temporary stay in your home. A good starting point is their bedroom. You are responsible for making sure they have a comfortable bed with warm bedding. If you find yourself short on bedding, renting a complete comforter set gives you one less thing to worry about. You should also provide your guests with a nightstand, bedside lamp, and somewhere spacious enough for them to keep their clothes, such as CORT’s Draycott Wardrobe, offering many storage options.
Display your Wi-Fi password somewhere prominent so it is readily accessible for your house guests. Another nice gesture is making sure your pantry is stocked with basic cereals and a selection of teas and coffees, as well as keeping some bottled water on hand in the fridge.
Add Some Welcome Touches
From fresh flowers to festive décor and scented candles, there are a lot of subtle extra touches you can have ready when your guests arrive. Whether it’s a small toiletry basket filled with essentials they may need during their stay, or a travel guide of your local area, adding that final personal touch can go a long way toward making your guests’ temporary stay in your home more enjoyable.
Add a little holiday spice to your home by leaving out a couple of bowls of candy or chocolates or by leaving a basket filled with spiced teas, coffees and hot chocolate on your kitchen counter top for your guests to enjoy by the fire.
Before your short-term tenants arrive, put yourself in their shoes and think about what they might need for a successful and comfortable stay over the holidays. A few touch-ups will go a long way toward attracting the right type of people into your home. Careful planning with their needs in mind is the best way to ensure they have a positive and memorable experience this holiday season.
