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Prepare for The Worst- Realize that people will not treat a rental home as if was their own. You can ’ t control everything that happens, but you can do your best to be prepared. Provide a full set of disposable dishes and glassware in case they decide to have a party, have plenty of coasters around, even on the nightstands, to protect your furniture. Put energy efficient bulbs in your light fixtures and keep spares available. Working with A Management Company and Other Professionals They can make your life a lot easier. They will deal with immediate problems, so you don ’ t have to. They will arrange for the cleaning and maintenance staff to keep everything looking great and working perfectly. They will also be able to advise you on the legal aspects of owning and operating a rental property. Since most visitors will be booking your vacation home without seeing it in person, having really superb photos is essential. Make your main photo fabulous! Enlist the help of a friend with top-notch photography skills or hire a professional. When it comes time for the photo shoot, make sure the house is clean and uncluttered from top to bottom (put all personal items away), inside and out and add some inviting touches. We ‘ stage ’ homes for home sales so you should also stage it for your rental. Consider Having Professional Photos Taken-

Make Up A Local Guide Book- You may want to take a few pictures of nearby draws, such as beaches and waterfalls, and even local wildlife, and have business cards from popular local restaurants all together in a binder for renters – noting your favourites! You can include brochures on tours, local attractions and activities, local markets, great sunset and happy-hour spots, as well as easy maps to get here and there. Ensure there is a selection of any local magazines too. They are easy vacation reading, and feature information like bus schedules and community activities. They also make good souvenirs! Keep A Home Inventory and A Reference Book- A thorough and well-organized vacation home reference binder is worth its weight in gold! Avoid mishaps by clearly

recording all inventory in a master list and provide visitors with ample instructions on everything from garbage pickups to how to work the remote control. Include your Wi-Fi and alarm codes, tide table information and emergency numbers and contact information for the doctor, vet and even dentist – you never know. Ensure that any expectations or rules are clearly spelled out here – no smoking inside, no glass near the pool etc. Anything that is personal should be set aside in a locked closet or spare room. You will have to emotionally detach yourself from the property – this is now a business. Look around your home with a critical eye, test every light, faucet, and toilet, and imagine what you would expect from a rental. Much of this you probably already know, so treat this as your checklist. Now you are ready to sit back and let your vacation home help pay for itself!