How to Generate Vacation Rental Income in 7 Simple Steps

As the vacation rental industry is flourishing, more and more homeowners jump on the opportunity to make an extra rental income on the side. Some of them even get so successful that they quit their 9-5s and become full-time hosts.

And although it's totally possible to see success from a vacation rental property, it requires lots of careful planning and effort. Whether you own a little city apartment or are interested in buying a rental property, we're here to guide you every step of the way.

In this guide, we'll share the exact steps you need to take to generate a steady passive income with your rental property. If you're wondering how to make a vacation rental pay for itself, you're in the right place.

Is Owning a Short-term Rental Investment Worth It?

As with most investments, owning a vacation rental comes with its risks. This business can be lucrative, but you need to put in the work to reap the benefits. Here are its pros and cons:

Pros

• Higher profit than long-term rentals
• Flexible pricing
• Potential income from add-on services
• A diverse portfolio of guests to appeal to
• More control of your vacation rental business

Rental income calculator for cash flow

Cons

• The vacation rental market is highly competitive
• You'll need to comply with short-term rental regulations in your area
• You'll have additional expenses like cleaning fees
• Demanding or bad guests are always a possibility
• The cash flow is irregular
• You'll still have to put in some time and effort for your business

Overall, we'd say it's worth investing in rental properties as long as you accept the risk and are dedicated to doing the work.

Monthly mortgage payment for vacation rentals

7 Steps to Generate Vacation Rental Income

1. Buy the Right Investment Property

If you already have a vacation rental property, you have an advantage. However, if you consider investing in short-term rentals, you'll need to consider the following criteria:

• Location. A major factor that'll impact the profitability of your business. Vacation rentals near the beach, the city center, or popular tourist attractions are obviously a good investment.
• Seasonality. Invest in rental properties that you'll be able to rent during off-peak seasons. For example, a bungalow in the woods might appeal to specific audiences looking for total peace and relaxation away from Wi-Fi. However, renting during deep winter might not be easy since most travelers look for convenience and easy access.
• Local taxes and regulations. Some countries have strict rules around short-term rentals, while others prohibit it entirely. Others might impose complex vacation rental regulations, such as strict parking restrictions. So before you invest in a rental property, check your local city or county ordinances.
• Size. The size of your investment property is essential for how many guests you'll be able to accommodate and what fees you'll be charging them. The more the bedrooms, the higher the fees and the higher the investment.

Vacation rental profit calculator

2. Decorate and Furnish Your Rental Property

Once you buy your vacation rental, it's time to decorate it to create a welcoming space for guests. This is vital for increasing your rental income. Your goal should be to create an impressive home that guests will want to post on Instagram. That's stellar marketing right there!

Here are a few simple tips to make your space more appealing:

• Hire a professional cleaning service. Cleanliness for short-term rentals is non-negotiable since first impressions matter. Property owners should invest in professional cleaners who'll handle everything from washing to sanitizing and save them all the hazards.
• Hire a professional interior designer. They'll be able to provide unbiased feedback and advise you on creating a cozy atmosphere for guests. This investment will keep giving back for years to come and give you confidence in your income potential.
• Purchase functional and durable furniture. No one likes to use furniture that feels like falling apart. Even if you're using second-hand furniture, make sure they don't show any wear or tear. We recommend investing in new ones in neutral tones to appease most guests.

Increase your occupancy rate and generate additional rental income with amenities

3. Enhance Your Amenities

In today's competitive vacation rental scene, guests expect more than just a simple roof over their heads. Equipping your vacation rental with the right amenities will make your guests feel at home. We suggest a mix of the essentials along with some extras to create the perfect atmosphere, such as:

• Smart devices. Enhance guests' experience with keyless entry systems, security cameras, and smart thermostats. Make their check-in/check-out process as smooth as possible and their stay a breeze.
• Comfortable amenities. A swimming pool, a spacious outdoor patio, a jacuzzi, or a fireplace can make your property seem more desirable and increase your occupancy rate.
• Eco-friendly systems. Make your property stand out with eco-friendly cleaning products, reusable water bottles, recycling bins, and smart check-in cards. This will reduce energy costs and make guests feel great for contributing to environmentally friendly practices.

Monthly rental income calculator

4. Decide on Your Rates

A common mistake hosts make is applying a set-it-and-forget-it pricing model for their properties. However, fixed nightly rates for both high and low seasons won't guarantee cash flow and will probably undermine your rental income. Instead, you should focus on a dynamic pricing model.

In other words, you must pay attention to seasonal fluctuation, market data, and competition. For example, calculate rental income based on similar properties with equivalent amenities. Also, avoid applying personal fees for different luxuries - just because you'd pay an extra $200 for a jacuzzi doesn't mean your guests will, too.

Calculate vacation rental income for cash flow

5. List Your Vacation Rental Property

Time to list your property online! But before that, ensure you capture stunning photos with your smartphone or hire a professional photographer to take pictures of your house in perfect lighting.

You can list your short-term rental in online travel agencies (OTAs) like Airbnb, Booking.com, or VRBO to generate visibility and have someone else do the marketing for you. However, if you want to skip hefty booking fees and handle your short-term income without the middlemen, list with Houfy!

With 50,000 guests and over $23M worth of bookings facilitated, Houfy is THE social marketplace for direct bookings. You can import your Airbnb listing or create a new one, contact guests directly, and increase your monthly revenue without cutting your profit.

Short-term rental investment for additional income

6. Market Your Vacation Rental

Your short-term rental will be only as successful as your marketing strategy. Use different platforms to market your properties, such as Google My Business or social media. Your goal should be highlighting your short-term rental with aesthetic photos, engaging descriptions, and positive guest reviews.

Influencer marketing can also be a profitable tactic to generate original reviews from authority influencers and appeal to their target audience. Alternatively, you can use Facebook marketing to promote deals, create giveaways, and infuse users with the travel bug.

Of course, apart from organic efforts, you can invest in paid advertising such as:

• Google ads. Appear on top of search results with targeted keywords your guests are using to find you.
• Social media ads. Appear on people's newsfeeds with scroll-stopping ads and direct them to your website.
• Third-party website ads. Advertise on third-party platforms where guests hang around to create awareness and generate traffic to your site.

Rental income calculator for occupancy rates

7. Welcome Guests

It's time to welcome your first guests. Ηere are some caring touches you can add to make their stay memorable:

• Ensure flawless communication. Answer all your guests' inquiries and be as responsive as possible. Create message templates with instructions on how to get to your property address, navigate their stay, and function the house.
• Offer a self-check-in process. Guests might arrive at crazy hours due to late flights or transportation delays. Make sure you facilitate their check-in process with self-check-in. Placing the house key in a locker box and providing the code to guests is all you need. This will also save you time and automate your short-term rental processes.
• Write a welcome letter. A welcome letter is a beautiful touch that'll make guests feel welcomed and add personalization. You can use it to inform guests about local highlights or other important information. It's a stellar way to seem like a thoughtful and caring host.
• Offer welcoming extras. Finally, you can offer extras upon guests' arrival, such as a bottle of wine, chocolates, flowers, customized towels, local products, or anything else to impress them. This will directly reflect positive reviews and word of mouth.

Short-term rental calculator for property managers

Time to Make Rental Income With Your Vacation Home!

Vacation rentals can be a lot of work, but with these tips and strategies, you'll be earning Airbnb profit in no time. Take short-term rentals seriously, put guests at the center of your focus, and always strive to exceed expectations. The Airbnb income will flow!

If you're ready to list your property, at Houfy, we offer a safe haven for more than 15,000 hosts. Reduce monthly expenses and significant profit cuts from large OTAs and generate rental income on your own terms. List your home today!