The Anna Maria Island vacation rental market has been growing steadily over the last few years as people flock to Florida for short-term vacations and visits that last an entire season. More and more visitors are choosing private rental homes instead of hotels. That’s great news for anyone who owns a home that they’d like to rent out.
If you’ve decided to rent out a vacation rental property, there’s going to be a lot of work involved. You’ll have to manage guests and cleaning, and you’ll also have to market your property constantly in order to make sure it’s occupied and not left vacant for long periods of time.
Make sure you know what it takes to be an Anna Maria Island vacation rental landlord. If it seems like it’s going to take up too much time or require too much knowledge, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help from a local Anna Maria Island property management company like ours.
Furnish Your Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental
Unlike with long-term rentals, you’ll need to furnish your vacation property, and your guests are going to expect more than a futon and a folding table. Vacation guests are not going to travel with their own cookware and toaster.
You’ll need to provide at least one bed in every bedroom, comfortable sofas and chairs in the common areas, and a dining set in the kitchen, dining room, or both. If your vacation home has outdoor space – even if it’s just a balcony – you’ll need to provide patio furniture. Be prepared to provide high-quality linens and a fully equipped kitchen.
Tenants in your vacation home will expect Wi-Fi and cable television. You’ll also have to keep the utilities turned on and in your name. This is an extra expense, and in Florida, you can expect the air conditioner to run all the time. Short-term renters aren’t going to care about water bills and energy expenses while they’re on vacation, so make sure you’re budgeting for those utility payments as well as furniture.
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Vacation Property
Cleaning is going to take up a lot of resources. Most owners will include a cleaning fee in the rental amount so you’re not losing money having professional cleaners come in between every tenant.
You will need professionals, and you will need to clean between every tenant.
Linens will need to be changed, trash will need to be taken out, and floors and surfaces will need to be scrubbed. If you’re turning over your vacation property every few days, this is going to require some great vendors and high quality cleaners.
Be prepared for maintenance issues too. You’ll have to check light bulbs and change air filters. Have the roof and the plumbing checked from time to time. Don’t forget landscaping and pest control.
Anna Maria Island Vacation Rental Vacancies
The largest cost for many vacation rental property owners is often vacancy. While you’re sure to earn more per night with your vacation home than you would with a long-term rental home, there are going to be frequent vacancies, especially during the off-season. Luckily, the Gulf Coast of Florida is a destination all year long. However, you do have to prepare for the loss of income on the nights that no one is booked into your property.
Listing and Marketing Efforts will be Full-Time
Attracting vacation renters will require some strategic and aggressive marketing. You’ll need great photos to go with a well-written and descriptive listing. When prospective renters get in touch, you’ll need to respond quickly and manage everything from reservations to deposits and the coordination of keys as well as arrival and departure times.
There’s a lot to think about, and this is by no means an exhaustive list. If you’d like some help with Anna Maria Island vacation property management, we’re the team that can help. Contact us at Anchor Down Property Management.