Short-term letting over the festive season is a viable and lucrative means of earning an income from your apartment or home. This has become more evident as specialist companies, such as short-term-let property management agents and hotel pool operators, enter the market to service those who wish to market their home or investment apartment.
As more and more foreign visitors and other travellers swarm to the Coast each year, it's becoming increasingly common for home owners and those with investment apartments to rent their properties out in order to catch some of the tourist trade. If you want them to come back again you need to make sure their stay is as hospitable as possible.
The view's important
People love a room with a view. Coastal areas such as Durban's north and south coast, the Cape and Eastern Cape are flooded with tourists hunting scenery over the summer months. If your property can offer that enticing option you'll have the edge over your competitors.
"Views are always a nice additional feather to offer in the cap," says Weight. "At the Marina the views determine whether units are described as Premier or Superior Units. Premier units have views overlooking the canal, while the Superior Units look out on to the yacht basin and the Cape Grace Hotel."
Areas like Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay and Mouille Point are all in demand. If you're in the area, you're in the money. "Properties with a view command a premium over those without," says Leite.
Décor makes a difference
A great view is always going to lure scenery-hungry visitors to your property, but once the sun goes down you need to grab their attention on the inside. When it comes to décor, you want to welcome your visitors, make them feel at home and encourage them to come back as much for the delights of the inside, and not just on the outside.
The Furniture Project, a property furnishing consultancy, has created a service to help aspiring landlords do just that. With a decorating solution to fit the individual budget, they offer all-inclusive furnishing packages that contain a range of custom furniture from beds to dining-room chairs, through to the last wine glass for that special bottle of chilled chardonnay you've left in the fridge for your guests. They also offer some very sound advice.
"If you're considering decorating your apartment for rental, think in the long term rather than the short term," says Furniture Project's Beth Murray. "When it comes to choosing fabrics, it's best to use contract weight fabrics like those used in the hospitality industry rather than fabrics created for domestic use," says Murray.
Fabrics are graded according to the amount of rubs they can take before wearing through. Those used in the hospitality industry can usually handle 20 000 rubs or more, so Murray's logic stands to reason. You'll want something that can go the distance to save you time and money. Murray also suggests utilizing slightly darker fabrics when kitting out your home. These don't show dirt as quickly and as readily as the lighter fabrics that you might be inclined to use in your own home.
"Décor makes a huge difference," says Hadley Weight, managing director of Mountain Marina at the V&A Waterfront. "Our marina residential interiors are clearly designed with a modern contemporary feel to them. The décor and furnishings all work best when the themes match."
Dexter Leite, the rentals manager for Pam Golding Property Group concurs. "Neutral, light, modern, minimalist and durable furnishings work best in rental properties. A DVD player and satellite television are a nice and necessary touch to the apartment."
Simple accessories also make your interior stand out from the rest. Simple fruit bowls and flower vases on coffee tables or dining tables can make all the difference in enticing customers to return. "Long twigs, bamboo or reeds all look great in vases," says Murray. "Plus they don't die, so you won't be left with a dire looking floral arrangement."
Remember the details
Never discount the little things either when you plan to leave the door open for summer rentals. A friendly gesture can go a long way in ensuring happy and, hopefully, repeat customers. "Things like tea, coffee, milk, sugar, mineral water and a nice bottle of wine are inexpensive and can make clients feel at home as soon as the walk in the door from their flight or long distance car trip," says Murray. "If your clients are stepping straight off the plane and into the house it will help them relax straight away." And don't forget the basics. The joys of soap and toilet paper can never be underestimated.
And last, but by no means least, always take the time to prepare a thorough inventory. If it's your own home, remove valuable or sentimental items and always listen to your agent's advice on the 'letability' and desirability of your property.
"To make sure that your property can compete with others be careful not to over-price," warns Leite. His suggestion is to use an agent experienced in short-term letting and list with more than one reputable agent. By doing this you'll ensure good value for good service, providing memorable experiences that clients will never forget.
News was from www.news24.co.za
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