The great (vacation rental) outdoors

Love a sizzling BBQ on the patio? A soak in the sun in comfy lawn chairs in the backyard? So do your guests.

Often overlooked, the outdoor area of your vacation rental is a big selling point and can be the deciding factor for a guest when choosing a rental. Depending on the location of your vacation home, guests might be looking for that private hot tub on the balcony of a ski property or the clean pool outside a summer rental.

Here is what we recommend:

Include high resolution pictures of the outdoor area of your rental in your property listing. Guests want to imagine relaxing or playing there!
Show the main features, such as a BBQ, pool, lawn area, outdoor furniture, kids play area, maybe even a glass of wine on the table or hiking trails on the property. Offer everything that makes your property unique.
Photograph (or describe) the outdoor area at different times of the day, for example when it is used for a big family breakfast, a shaded retreat on a hot day or at night star gazing.

Once you have set up and promoted the outdoor area of your vacation home, consider the tips in this article to keep it clean and welcoming. Details such as candles and lighting can make a big difference!

As always, we invite you to share your experiences and recommendations here!