Do you have a great vacation rental, but still can’t fill it with renters?  If so, you are likely making one of the most common mistakes owners make.  You need to identify the mistake you are making and then work to fix it.

1.       You Don’t Respond to Inquiries Fast Enough

When people send in an inquiry, they want an immediate response.  If you take too long to respond, the person will select another rental.  Most people send in several inquiries, and often, the vacation rental owner that responds first gets the renter. 

Quick Fix

Add email to your cell phone so you can access it when you are on the road.  That way, you will be able to respond immediately. 

2.       The Pictures are Not Flattering

A picture is worth a thousand words.  If your “thousand words” start with “That just doesn’t look nice,” you likely won’t get any rentals.  Take your time with your pictures and make sure to use pictures that are not only flattering, but show everything your vacation rental has to offer.

Quick Fix

Go to your rental and take a variety of pictures with natural light and flash. Take pictures of every room and all of your amenities.  Then, show the pictures to your friends and family members.  Let them look them over and select the ones that look the best.  Then, post the pictures on your site. 

3.       The Ad Isn’t Targeted

If your ad is not targeted, you will not get renters.  People go onto VacationRental.org to look for a particular type of rental.  If your ad does not appeal to your target market, they will go with someone else.

Quick Fix

Decide who your market is and target your ad to appeal to those renters.  Be sure to include targeting in your headline.

You can change your targeting throughout the year.  For instance, you might want to target golfers during the spring and couples during the winter.  Analyze the different seasons and target your ad appropriately. 

4.       The Price Isn’t Listed

Before someone books a vacation rental, he or she wants to know how much it costs.  Most travelers don’t want to have to wait to hear back from the owner in order to find a price. They want to know if a rental fits into their budget.  Thus, if you don’t list your price, you will likely have an empty rental calendar. 

Quick Fix

List your price and then justify it with lots of features and amenities. Show potential renters that your house has a lot of value and thus, is worth the price. 

5.       There Aren’t Enough Amenities

People go to a vacation rental to stay in luxury while they are away from home.  Even if your home is not considered a luxury vacation rental, there are still certain amenities people will want to have access to when they stay. 

Quick Fix

Look at the other homes in your area and see what amenities they offer.  Then, include the same amenities in your rental.  In addition, think of amenities you would like to have when traveling, and include those as well.  Be sure to have lots of amenities that will appeal to your target market.  After you purchase the amenities and place them in your home, include them in your listing. 

If you are making one of these mistakes, take immediate action to fix it.  Once you fix the mistakes, you will begin to fill your rental calendar.