How to Advertise a Vacation Property

Develop a strategy to target a broad base of prospective owners or renters.

Vacation properties afford owners and renters an opportunity to visit travel destinations of their dreams. Whether you are selling or renting, develop an advertising strategy that creates enthusiasm and interest. Include a way for prospective owners and renters to ask questions and provide you with contact information. Price the property competitively to generate interest and increase the likelihood of a sale or rental.

Things You'll Need

• Advertising budget Pictures and video Competitors' property pricing Website

Instructions

1. Develop a website for the property. This will enable you to describe features of your property and gather contact information to follow up with prospective buyers or renters. Include the website address on any other advertising used such as print advertisements and other websites.

2. Take high-quality digital pictures of the property. If you are not comfortable with photography, get someone you know to do the job or hire a professional photographer. Pictures should portray your property at its best.

3. Create a digital movie to give website visitors a virtual tour of the property. Appear on camera and serve as the guide. Describe what makes your property unique and explain its positive features. Your appearance will add a personal touch to help attract renters or buyers and allow you to the opportunity to “connect.”

4. Set the purchase price or rental pricing. If you are selling the property, have it appraised and consult with vacation property real estate agents to set your asking price. If you are going to rent out the property, seek advice on how to best structure weekly and monthly rates. Create a contract for renters.

5. Arrange for support services. Whether you are going to rent or sell, find someone to provide cleaning services to keep the property ready to show. Incorporate costs into rental rates to defray expenditures. Contact the local police department to see about hiring part-time officers to provide security services. Have resources ready to provide emergency electrical and plumbing repairs.

6. Consider alternatives to generate revenue. Explore “house swapping” websites that can give you the opportunity to visit other vacation destinations. Contact human resource directors at companies to negotiate prices and terms to offer the property as an employee-rewards incentive or meeting site for departments and groups. Offer the site as a retreat for church groups and other organizations. Advertise on time-share websites and publications. Be creative in finding additional ways to market the property for sale or rent.

7. Develop an email marketing strategy. Go online to get email addresses for real estate agents, homeowners association directors, apartment property managers and human resource directors at major companies. Write a short email announcing the availability of the property and encourage them to visit your website for information on renting or buying the property. If selling, use your email marketing campaign to interview agents to list the property.

References

• HomeAway: How to Rent
• "NuWire Investor": Marketing Vacation Rentals
• "New York Times": A Complete Guide to House Swapping

Resources

• How to Create Your First Web Site