5 tips to help prepare your Airbnb, VRBO, or Vacation Rental Property for success!

5 tips to help prepare your Airbnb, VRBO, or Vacation Rental Property for success!

Written By: Stephen Miller, Arizona Listing Media

So you’ve decided to jump into the world of vacation rentals or perhaps this isn't your first rodeo. Either way, ensuring guests are entertained and pleased with the property is a surefire way to obtain constant bookings. Here are a few tips and tricks I’ve gathered along the way. As an Airbnb, VRBO photographer in Phoenix, Arizona I have seen a lot of great ideas along the way. So, here we go!

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Consider Labeling

I can't even begin to tell you how many rounds of musical light switches I’ve played in my day. As a full-time real estate photographer, I’m constantly flipping light switches on and off trying to figure out why I can't get those darned art lights over the hallway painting to switch on. I’ve seen probably a handful of savvy vacation rental owners tackle the task brilliantly. Label printer in hand, I’ve noticed just about every light switch in the house tactfully guiding me to exactly what light fixture I’m looking for. As a guest in a new location for a weekend or even longer this could be extremely frustrating.. but not anymore! A few property owners have even gone above and beyond by labeling cabinetry and kitchen storage to show guests exactly where items are located. This is the type of move that elevates you as a property owner to an Airbnb super host.

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Entertain Your Guests

This doesn’t have to be a strenuous task, and the entertainment value you can provide guests is affordable and easy. Now, some hosts prefer to invest in a shuffleboard or pool table, and that’s great! But simply offering a cozy space to read a book next to a well-stocked library is plenty. Creating a space for family game night with a decent selection of interactive board games next to a small popcorn machine will give guests memories that last a lifetime. Most hosts offer a small booklet at the front entry that showcases all of the hip local spots to visit.

Creative Marketing

Don’t be afraid to try out some creative marketing. Adding little fun quirks to your Airbnb can keep guests coming back again and again. Take this photo below as an example. β€œTake a bottle, leave a bottle” was implemented to create a wine bottle share between guests who visit local vineyards. What a great idea! Also, as a social media guy myself, I strongly recommend creating a name for your VRBO property then sharing a hashtag for your guests to use in their social media posts as they enjoy their stay and share their experience.

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Hot Tub

Not every location can host a full-size swimming pool, adding a hot tub to your vacation rental property is the perfect little additive to keep guests cozy and having fun. Especially when stunning views are involved!

Quality Photography and Staging

In everyday real estate sales, staging and photography are key to marketing a listing. This holds true and even more so for Airbnb, VRBO, and vacation rental properties. Selling the location and lifestyle that a specific vacation rental boasts is very important in acquiring bookings. When a photographer has staging to play off of, their creativity can skyrocket. Since web searches are the first place a client will see your listing it's extremely important to have quality photography to represent your investment. With creative photo opportunities increased, the real estate aspect can be set aside as the focus of a photoshoot turns into a hospitality-focused endeavor.

If you’re considering an Airbnb, VRBO, or vacation rental property and would like to have the best visual representation for it, please visit my booking page, and let's set up a time for services. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out, I'm always happy to help!

Sell your community!

Sell your community!

In this day and age of real estate it's not only the listing that sells itself but a significant factor is the overall locale. Nearby entertainment, work commute, parks, dining and schools all play a significant factor in selling any type of residence. The need for photography of communities is rapidly rising and Arizona Listing Pros is answering that call!

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Bring on the Heat! Arizona Listing Pros Welcomes Summer 2016!

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Arizona Listing Pros
Real Estate Photography & Videography
June 2016 Newsletter

By: Stephen Miller

Check out some of the photography for June's newest listings!

Cities Serviced this Month:
Phoenix    ||    Anthem    ||    New River
Tramonto/Carefree    ||    Surprise    ||    Goodyear
Ahwatukee    ||    Mesa    ||    Scottsdale
Glendale    ||    Peoria    ||    Queen Creek
Chandler

It's officially SUMMER!

This Weeks Forecast

This Weeks Forecast

Summer is here and I am sure by now you all know how hot it is! Please make sure to hydrate! Offer clients a cold water bottle and sunscreen when showing homes. I found a great extra large lunchbox available in the camping section at my local walmart for only $8.00. It will easily hold 6-8 water bottles inside with external zippers for snacks. I simply freeze a couple and let the others stay cold. An umbrella is also a cost effective way to keep the sun from beating down on you during the day. These are a few tips I use myself while photographing during the summer months. I personally favor my extra large shaker cup that is 1/3 of a gallon. I drink 3 a day and I know for a fact I am hydrated(purchased at GNC). Stay safe out there my friends I hope you enjoy some great summer barbecues and pool parties!

- Stephen, Owner
Arizona Listing Pros

As some of you know I recently visited Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado for my annual Father, Son Photography/Hiking Trip. There is always a plethora of photographic opportunities when visiting these locations and I always enjoy sharing them with my friends and family.

Photograph #1
The first photograph is Sprague Lake at sunset. I chose to use the logs here as leading lines, drawing the viewer into the photograph where mountains meet the sunset! You're looking at the continental divide. These very mountains determine whether a drop of water will end up in the Atlantic or Pacific ocean. This specific lake will drain into the Atlantic as it is East of the divide.

Photograph #2
This photograph is taken at a partially frozen Bear Lake. Nestled in the heart of Rocky Mountain National Park, Bear Lake offers the ultimate tranquil experience for visitors. Photographed is the infamous "Keyboard of the Winds." Here low lying clouds caress the mountains that are the tallest in Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the being the infamous "Longs Peak" towering at a glorious 14,259 feet! I plan on conquering this mountain in 2017. Wish me luck!