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10 Tips for Renting a Vacation Home

guider — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 09:35:32 +0000

Renting a vacation home is easier than you might think. You can simplify your vacation rental business and prevent potential problems if you follow some basic guidelines.

Here are some tips to help establish high standards within the industry and give confidence to new and old renters alike.

1. Respond quickly to inquiries. When renters inquire, they are typically ready to make decisions. Don’t leave prospective renters waiting around for answers, especially after they’ve devoted time to searching the Internet for a vacation property. Besides, the first to respond is often the first to get the reservation. It is also important to respond even if your property is booked, just out of common courtesy. Consider using an auto-responder if you know there are times that it might take you a while to get to your computer.

2. Simplify your booking process. One of the top vacation renting tips is to accept credit cards from your guests. This speeds up your transactions and eliminates confusion if two renters have inquired about your property. You don’t want to make people have a race to see who gets their check to you faster. Always handle your vacation rental business in a professional and courteous fashion.

3. Keep an up-to-date calendar and rates. Owning a vacation home rental is a business. It is important to stay organized to reduce stress for yourself and to make the reservation process easier for renters. Keeping up-to-date calendar and rates not only helps your placement in the search results, but it also adds credibility to our industry. Renters will continually ask about dates and rates (even if yours are up to date) as long as there are owners out there that don’t keep theirs updated!

4. Post accurate and updated photos. Photos are probably the number one factor when a renter selects a property to book. The purpose of including photos in your vacation rental listing is to give renters all the information they need to decide whether your property is a good fit for their vacation. Make sure not to use a zoom when taking photos of the view from your home. It is easier to show people what they will actually see rather than dealing with a disappointed renter. As a rule, it is ok to improve the lighting and color of your photos, but it’s not okay to edit photos to make your property appear better.

5. Prevent double bookings. One of the best vacation rental tips is to stay organized. Track all bookings in one place and keep thorough records to avoid the dreaded double booking situation. This will alleviate stress on both the part of the owner and the renter.

6. Cancelling a booking. If you need to cancel a reservation, the best way to handle the situation is to help the renter find another property to book. Chances are renting a vacation home has put you in touch with a lot of other owners. Tap into those resources to get help.

7. Create a rental contract. It is important to create a set of rules to establish clear expectations for you and your renters and include penalties for cancellations, damage, etc. Establishing vacation rental guidelines is a proactive way to keep you and your guests happy.

8. Prevent cleanliness complaints. By establishing a clear check-in policy, you are following one of the top vacation rental tips! Give guests a chance to voice any complaints from the start so you can address them quickly. A check-in policy gives you the opportunity to clearly state that there will be no refunds for issues that are not addressed at the beginning of their stay. This also reduces your chances for a negative review.

9. Charging for damages. Renting a vacation home does not mean you should be in the business to make money off of renters’ security deposits. If there are no damages after check-out, the renter should be entitled to a full refund of their security deposit. If you do incur damages, you can only charge the renter for what it costs to repair or replace the damaged item(s).

10. Use reviews to your advantage. Most owners out there will receive a negative review at some point or another; it is just part of how to rent a vacation home. Instead of getting defensive, simply respond to the review and address the problem. This shows prospective renters that you have dealt with the issue and gives them confidence in renting a vacation home managed by owners.

Following these vacation rental tips will not only reduce the stress of running a vacation rental business but will also add some trustworthiness to the entire industry. As more owners follow these vacation rental guidelines, renters will gain confidence and owners will reap the benefits.

The Incredibly Beautiful Of Bali – Indonesia

guider — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:35:38 +0000

Bali is excellent destination to be visited. This island is famous with it’s beauty nature scenery and unique culture in the world. From year 2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007 Bali become number 1 excellent tourist destination in the world according one of famous travel magazine (travel and leisure magazine). In 2008, Bali become in number 2 position and Galapagos island in number 1 because of there’s still a primordial place where birds, lizards, and sea lions have no fear of people. This result take based on vote their reader and take score from it. Even so, Bali still has charm of it’s extraordinary unique and beauty scenery. Many visitors around the world who visit Bali are wonder with Bali. Bali is legendarily beautiful.This island has many charm of nature scenery, such as the long, sugary beaches lead inland to hillsides terraced with jewel-green rice paddies, and forests dotted with ancient temples abound. Bali is an exotic island in Indonesia. Bali is renowned all over the world for being welcoming, diverse and incredibly beautiful. If you are looking to get away from the daily grind and head to a place of pure escapism then Bali is the ultimate choice. Hmm… Many people admit that Bali truly excellent destination to spend spectacular holiday because visit to Bali we’ll see incredibly beautiful both it’s nature scenery and unique culture and tradition.

Bali also provide various kind and delicious food for tourist. There is a diverse and impressive range of markets on offer so for every meal you can choose to eat as locally or as internationally as you wish. Even if you aren’t buying the food the marketplaces are buzzing and colourful! Ubud is the cultural epicentre of Bali and it is a must-see, particularly if this is your choice for holiday rentals. This the best place to absorb the island’s cultural heritage. It is from here that different strands of Balinese culture resonate outwards and these are as diverse as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts, and performing arts. Music and dance are also important in Balinese culture and their percussion orchestra music, or gamelan, is varied and highly developed. Traditional dances portray stories from Hindu epics such as the Ramayana – and there are dozens of famous Balinese dances including pendet, legong, baris, topeng, barong, and kecak (the monkey dance). Perhaps you could join in and try some of the dances for yourself!

This is the kind of magical island where you will find what you were looking for, even if you weren’t sure what that was! If culture isn’t your thing do not worry because visitors to Bali have access to some of the finest beaches in the region. When relaxation is the aim of the game you can venture from your villa to bask in the sun, unwind on the sand and bath in the warm sea. There are many beautiful beach in Bali such as: kuta beach, kintamani beach, tanjung benoa beach, nusa dua beach and many other. You can do many activity in Bali’s beach like diving,surfing,snorkeling, parasailing,banana boat and other attractive water sport. Every beach in Bali provide equipment of water sport. So you can rental it. There are few places in the world more idyllic than holiday rentals on a beach in Bali at sunset. If you fancy a little more activity then hiring a four wheel drive vehicle is an excellent way to see the island properly. If you travel inland you can see the famous rice terraces and ancient temples. Balinese inhabitants also hold spectacular festivals which are entertaining and full of life and will make your visit genuinely memorable. Wherever you have been during the day one thing is certain – that you will return satisfied and exhilarated to your holiday rentals property where you can reflect at leisure on what you have seen. It is likely to have been special moment in your life.

Exotic Place For Your Vacation In Thailand

guider — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:32:58 +0000

Everybody know that in Thailand there are so many vacation place which so beautiful and so exotic. This country has 510.000 km of land area.This country also bordered by several countries such as Myanmar,Laos,Cambodia and Malaysia.Thailand has a tropical climate with the spring from March to May, rainy season in June until September, and winter from October to February.There is international airport that connected with the various airlines from all over the world. Beside that, there is also the international airport in Phuket, Hat Yai and Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. While the train is available from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and some means of sea transport to Thailand, such as Star Virgo Cruise Ship in the drop in Phuket. Public transport in Bangkok, among others, the BTS Skytrain, subway, bus, taxi and tuk-tuks. In the Chao Phraya river, there are also many river taxi or boat, specially equipped for the tourist guide in English.There are many reasons to choose Thailand as your place for vacation in your holiday,because you will be king in this land that called as white elephant, has many exotic place and Thailand appreciate tourist.
Thailand also provides a spectacular contrast to a blend both of traditional culture and modern contemporary, such as a unique traditional culture in the space of international standard and also enjoy the kingdom of the past in the restaurant at the roof of the modern skyscraper.

Thailand also offer interesting place for shopping, from wholesale like Bo Bae and Pratunam, Suan Lum night market, the largest and cheap market in Asia: Chatuchak, until King Duty Free with the branded goods which cheaper than the other duty free, Siam paragon that so luxurious and complete, and also shopping mall Siam square.

There are nature tourism such as Phi Phi Island, James Bond Island, famous beach like Pattaya and Phuket, romantic beach such as Samui, Ko Chang, Ko Lanta, Krabi, beautiful mountain such as Chiang Mai, and alsobeauty jungle Chiang Rai. This country also famous with special food, not only tom yam goog, but there are special food from North Chiang Mai,etc.One thing that must be tested when you are in Thailand is Thai massage. Spa that provide specific herb, combined with the delicay of the spiritual tranquility that provide optimum relaxation for you.

Festival release “kratong” (ship floating) from the banana leaf that decorated with flowers,candles and incense wang is held every full moon night at the twelfth month on calendar feels so very beautiful and romantic.

Thai sensation as exotic city is no doubt anymore, you are not believe? make your trip vacation on this country. So, see you there friends….