advice for design of rental property

[AFH]

This is a question for all of the rental property owners and members of sowal. For building a new house/rental property in Grayton Beach, what would you rate as the most desireable factors to include in the design of a house for
attracting and maintaining steady rentals. What amenities most attract renters? Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ellen]

I don't rent but do own in the area. My advice if your target families: a space where the kids can gather that is separate from the adult gathering spot. The kids can watch their own movies, hang out with their friends, be silly, and spread their toys, whether those are Barbies or play stations. You could include a space large enough for a pool/ping pong table. Bunk rooms are also a plus for getting a lot of kids into a small space.

If you are targeting adults, then make your bedrooms and baths large enough for at least queen beds with baths that are spacious. No one wants to go on a couples' trip where they are the ones with the tiny bath and and twin beds while others get the "master suite."

A great porch is also important. Everyone dreams of their relaxing vacaton where they sit on the porch and swing, nap, etc.

If you want to appeal to all, then include all of the above in a modifed way that fits your lot and budget. For example: three bedrooms with queens or kings plus a bunk room with four beds (go for double bed size matresses and sleep lots of kids). Add a loft, landing, or second living with a sleeper sofa plus a nice porch. The key - efficient use of space.

My personal viewpoint is that the kitchen can be small. No one goes on vacation to cook, but there are foodies who will disagree.

I could go on and on....

 

[barefootguy]

Our friends and mentors have been in the weekly rental business for 18+ years. The 3 main things we learned from them is that the home needs to be less than 2 blocks from the beach, have a private pool, and the more bedrooms the better. Their 5+ bedroom homes book up the fastest every year.

 

[Paula]

I agree with all said above.

I think the most important thing to consider is how people live and play with each other on vacation, as well as for long-term winter rentals -- this is more important than great decorating. It should feel like a home, have gathering spaces (bigger isn't always better, except that I agree that bedrooms should be big enough for a queen or two twins and the master should be big enough for a king -- gosh a place with two king bedrooms would be great). But it's all about comfort, convenience, and being together. Quiet appliances (dishwasher, fridge). Lots of comfortable seating so everyone can sit comfortably when together (rather than a couch, 2 chairs, and everyone else sits on the floor or on kitchen chairs). Easy parking for two cars and then quick access to wherever they're going to come into the house so they don't have to rush in the rain with groceries/suitcases -- I like parking near the kitchen. Lots of storage, including a separate storage area for beach chairs/beach stuff. Grow plants for privacy between places if you're close to others. Fully furnish your porch, too, with plenty of seating.

A place to keep bikes under cover would be great.

 

[Miss Kitty]

...good advice ellen and Paula!!!

 

[ThirtyAGal]

Don't forget the furniture in the common areas. We rented a very nice house in Summer's Edge, but the living room left a lot to be desired. Instead of a coffe table there was a large, high table that was more like a dining room table in front of the couch. Made access to the couch difficult, and our crowd suffered a lot of bruises that week. There was also only one chair in addition to the couch, and a hard, wooden, straight-backed bench in the room. Lovely house, but craziest furniture choice I have ever seen.

 

[Mermaid]

My 2 cents: I think the decorating is important in that your place must stand apart from the competition in order to make an impression upon a prospective renter. If you look through the reams of VRBO listings, for example, too many rentals blend one into another because of cookie-cutter decorating. Not that they're not beautifully decorated--many are exquisite--but there's a certain sameness to them. Decorate yours just a little differently. Not in an outrageous or flamboyant or strange manner, but in a way to make your house unique so it sticks in the mind of whomever sees it. This is a tall order to accomplish because you mustn't make the house have so much personality that it appeals to only a very few, but on the other hand, a blandly decorated house generates nothing more than a "it's nice" comment and a quick flip to the next listing.

I also think a well-equipped kitchen is a must. I'm not talking about the size of the kitchen, but what's in it. Cheap plates, cutlery and glassware are a definite turnoff when you're spending good money on a vacation. It doesn't cost that much more to buy quality appointments, and the pay-off in customer satisfaction is well worth it. I wouldn't stint on the gadgets, either. It's nice to open a drawer and find enough cooking utensils, a good wine bottle opener, measuring cups and spoons, decent knives, etc. True that not everyone cooks every night, but most people do for at least some of the nights they're vacationing. Make it a pleasure to be in the kitchen when they have to, and your guests will appreciate it.

 

[kathydwells]

Mermy!!!! Sorry, had to hijack for just a minute to say hello.

 

[Mermaid]

Mermy!!!! Sorry, had to hijack for just a minute to say hello.

Hello to you, too! I'll turn this into a non-hijack by saying that I'm off right now to a friend's house. I'm painting bathrooms (and getting paid for it, too ). There's nothing like a can of paint to cover up boring builder's beige to make a house look beautiful and modern again.

 

[kathydwells]

Hello to you, too! I'll turn this into a non-hijack by saying that I'm off right now to a friend's house. I'm painting bathrooms (and getting paid for it, too ). There's nothing like a can of paint to cover up boring builder's beige to make a house look beautiful and modern again.

And you are just the one to do it!!!!!