Caring For Your Property In the Off-Season

Being at peak occupancy for the past 3 months takes a toll on a property, and even the "minor" things need attention. As a team, we focus our efforts in assisting our homeowners perform the necessary tasks to help refresh and revitalize each property in order to be ready to go again next summer!

Maintaining the integrity of our homeowners' properties is one of our top priorities at Island Realty! We recommend that our owners schedule a deep clean after the summer season to ensure a successful and enjoyable fall and winter season for our future guests.

• Spruce up your landscaping
• First impressions matter! When a guest drives by your rental property, what is the curb appeal telling them? Make sure the outside areas look just as good as the inside!
• Touch up on painting throughout the property
• After families have come in and out of your property all summer long, there are bound to be some scuffs on the walls, and some noticeable wear and tear. A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference, and can even be the deciding factor that a guest chooses when picking out the property that they decide to rent.
• Refurbish the floors
  
• A vacation rental sees a lot of foot traffic all year round. Refurbishing the floors ensures that your property looks refreshed and taken care of, not neglected.
• Pressure wash the exterior of your home and any outdoor furnishings
• Pollen, sand, saltwater, and more; your rental property sees it all! A good pressure washing of all of the exterior areas will make sure that your home looks clean and maintained.
• Stock up!
  
• Talk to your Owner Representative, and look over our MSI (Standard Inventory) list. Does your rental property have everything it needs to be ready for renters? If not, the off-season is a great time to replace/add in any of these items.

• KITCHEN INVENTORY/COOKWARE - Replace and update annually. Higher quality will extend their life.
  
• SMALL APPLIANCES - Replace as needed. Blenders and coffeemakers will need replacement often.
  
• APPLIANCES (Dishwasher, Stove, Refrigerator, Washer, Dryer) - 6-8 years or as needed.
  
• BLANKETS/BEDSPREADS - 2 years. Higher quality will extend their life.
  
• MATTRESS PADS/PILLOWS/PILLOW COVERS – Annually.
  
• MATTRESSES - 4-8 years. Longevity is based on quality and type. Mattress covers are recommended to prevent allergens, dust mites, bed bugs, and moisture damage.
  
• UPHOLSTERED FURNISHINGS - 3-5 years as well as cleaned annually. Scotch guard is recommended. Sleeper sofas should have their innerspring mattresses, commercial frames, and mechanisms for durability.
  
• CHAIRS (Bar Stools, Dining Chairs) - 3-5 years in addition to cleaning periodically. Replace upholstery as needed.
  
• CARPET - 5-6 years. Padding should be 6lb density. Cleaned 2-3 times per year, minimum.
  
• VINYL FLOORING - 5-7 years.
  
• INTERIOR PAINT- 3-4 years with a bi-annual touch-up.
  
• EXTERIOR PAINT- 5-7 years. This will vary due to location and type of exterior finish.
  
• BLINDS - Replace as needed. Vertical blinds are not recommended.
  
• DRAPERIES - 3-4 years. Lined Backing is recommended. Launder/dry clean as needed.
  
• DECK/POOL FURNITURE - Longevity based on quality and type. Plastic 1-2 years; Wooden 4-6 years. Polywood and similar products will have a longer warranty by the manufacturer.
  

Cleanliness and presentation are two factors that can help make your property more desirable to renters! If your property looks refreshed and feels clean upon first inspection by the guests, then they will be much less likely to reach out with a complaint during their stay. Also, when prospective guests are researching rentals online and see that your property looks updated, you are more likely to have an increased successful rental rate compared to a property that looks dated and worn out. In addition to thoroughly cleaning your property, updating the furnishings and decor to have a neutral cohesive design will make your unit significantly more appealing. Post-summer season is the perfect time to address these issues!

All of our Owner Representatives make it a necessity to get in touch with their homeowners during this time of the season and discuss the recommendations they have for them. Each Owner Representative will review the past year and go over any negative reviews that impacted each property's rental performance. The Representatives will then address any issues and discuss with the homeowners regarding what needs immediate attention and what could be put off until more revenue is earned. This partnership approach has been very successful in the past, and we can see it continuing to be beneficial as we move forward!

Interested in learning more about our vacation rental program? Eager to get a rental projection? 

Contact our Business Development Manager, Collins Atkinson, to answer any potential questions you have about coming onto our program!

Business Development Manager

Phone: (843) 242-1076

Email: collins@islandrealty.com

Are your clients interested in using Island Realty to manage their property? Collins is here to help both vacation rental and long-term owners understand how the range of services we offer will maximize their investment.