Best ways to attract guests and cleanup/prep for next guest...

[Charles Mullins]

Hi everyone, we are looking to get into vacation rentals in the near future.  As we think through this and start reading more books I wanted to ask the community here.  What have you seen that is successful and possibly things we should stay away from.  For vacation rentals that are not close by how does the community clean up and prepare for the next guest?  Is that through property manager and cleaning crew?  Sorry for the basic questions.  Thank you

[John Underwood]

@Charles Mullins, I use a cleaning lady that I found on Craigslist and she has been wonderful.

I just text her days I need house cleaned and then I mail her a check after she cleans.

I use a lock box for keys, wifi thermostats to control the temperature when no one is there. I also installed a security camera that sends me an email alert when it senses motion with a picture of what triggered the motion.

I use Homeaway / VRBO and they keep my house full for top dollar rentals. I also have a Airbnb account but it doesn't get many bookings for me in my area (Lake House). I also use Craigslist to drive more business. My house is close to Clemson University so I get a lot of top dollar bookings for football games, graduation, parents day, back to school move in etc. Surprisingly people want to come hang out at the lake even in the winter, spring and fall.