Vacation Rental Owners Avoid Off Season Blues

The cancellation's rolled in through the month of December on the Northern Oregon Coast as guests were impeded by the winter weather. While snow fuels the skiing industry, snow and rain impede life here on the Coast as seen here in a picture from the "Daily Astorian". When snow first fell on around the 13th of December guests called in to say they wanted to come but just couldn't get out of the driveway. Inevitably the temperatures began to rise which has lead to wide spread flooding. Now we can't get to Seaside. Thankfully we do have renters coming tomorrow for three days.
How do deal with the low times in respect to cash flow in this wonderful industry of ours? Well the answer is obvious, when cash flow is at it's greatest stock it away like a chipmunk with his acorns and then hit your supply in the dead of winter, (or the dead of Summer depending on where you are). Go through your winterizing (or summerizing) check list at the end of your season. What is on it will depend on where you are. Ours looks like this:

• Turn off water at outside location
• Drain all faucets
• Defrost refrigerator and clear of all items in case of power outage
• open cupboards and set heat to a low setting (approximately 60 degrees)
• Turn off hot water heater (make sure it is drained)
• Turn off, clean, drain, and securely cover hot tub

Some of these winterizing features depend on your occupancy rate. Because we are always and did have guests scheduled we didn't turn off the water and drain the hot tub, but we did do this for several of the rentals we clean. So good luck, I hope you too have avoided the winter blues.

Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals stay booked

Even with the lagging economy the Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals are staying booked. Our Ocean Front Cottage in Surf Pines continues to get inquiries that are becoming bookings. Our cleaning business that works primarily with vacation rentals is staying busy as well. So why are travelers and guests still coming to the Oregon Coast. Why is real estate continuing to sell for top dollar here. I believe it is the beauty and departure from the everyday world and it's troubles that we offer. Possibly because travelers are choosing closer options to home. Rather than n expensive flight oversees travelers and guests are choosing quiet walks on the beach and wildlife viewing from a steaming hot tub all for discounted rate sometimes up to 60% during the quiet winter months. The beauty of the winter Oregon Coast and reduced rates are giving guests an inexpensive escape that guest and travelers can't seem to say no to this year.

Come see our ocean front beach house at:

http://www.vrbo.com/95104

Vacation Renters Feedback is Essential

Yesterday our Thanksgiving guests departed from our rental property. They gave us some great compliments on the property and the local aesthetics. The house is located about 400 yards from the beach. It is very quiet as it is in a secluded, gated community. It has a hot tub that overlooks the beach grass. You often view wildlife, elks grazing and hawks perched near the ocean. So the point being it's a great spot. Yes, we love the feed back but what was essential in all of this. In addition to complimenting the property the renters went onto say that although the kitchen was very well equipped there was not a cheese grater. She said they did fine without but it would have been nice. Of course I immediately made a note of this in my planner in addition to getting an extra cheese grater out and setting it near the front door so I don't forget it when I head to our rental tomorrow. The feed back and ideas from our guests are invaluable. We don't stay at our rental often and when we do we try not to use anything to keep it as clean as possible so we really depend on our guests for feed back so we know what things we need and ways to make the place just a little more comfortable. My husband and I both encourage our guests to tell us about their experience in addition to feedback coming into VRBO where we advertise our rental. I encourage all vacation rental owners to survey their guests for anything that will make their rental better whether it be more keys for guests, or just a cheese grater.