Suggestions on What I can do to Get Inquiries

[Wastin Away]

I have a home that I am renting for friends of ours that is in our neighborhood and so close to the beach, pool and access. It is a great house but for some reason I am not getting the inquiries I thought I would be getting. Would love suggestions on what you think I can do? You can go to VRBO #131930 or www.emeraldcoasttours.com/15southryan.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Stimulate the economy, giving people enough money to take vacations, would be a start. I think everyone is likely to see slower numbers, plus, there is now much inventory out there, so prices will have to be very competitive.

 

[Kurt]

Hi WA - posting here is a good start. Even if you don't get direct inquiries from this forum (which I hope you will), your link here will help you get found in search engines. Also - you should start a new thread simply promoting your rental with links to your virtual tour page and vrbo page, as well as all of your descriptive text and contact info. You could even include photos from the virtual tour directly in your thread.

The title of your new thread should be descriptive - i.e. "Emerald Tide - 4bedroom gulf view in Seagrove Beach". You might also consider a discount or some other consideration for people who contact you through the forum here.

In addition, you can offer last minute specials by posting them in your thread. Posting additions to your thread bumps it to the top of the thread list in the forum. Keep your thread updated with things that are happening with your home, maybe even post a quote now and then from a happy renter.

Don't be shy. You have a great home and people will be able to see that if you promote a little bit. With a little humility and a little bragging, the regulars here on the forum will remember and recommend your home to newcomers, friends, and relatives.

Another thing you might want to do is consider having us purchase a domain for you - i.e. "EmeraldTideBeachRental.com" or something like that. It is easier to market when you have your own domain and if worked right can help you get found in search engines. And if you have other rentals we can add them to your "home" page with links to virtual tours, vrbo, etc. You can also put your website name on flyers, newspaper ads, on your rental sign, etc. A website name is easier for folks to remember.

On your website, virtual tour, vrbo page, etc. you might want to include a little bit of info about your neighborhood, the SoWal area, and any other personal info you find relevant. tell people what's really special about your home and our area.

Also I notice that you don't have a link to vrbo on your virtual tour page, which they require if you link FROM their site, so I'll add that for you.

Summer's Edge is a great subdivision, but as you know there is a lot of competition there (and in our area in general). Whatever you can do to stand out from the crowd a little is sure to help get you bookings.

Keep a guest book in your rental and make sure that there is a space for people to write their mailing address and E-mail address. Many of your renters will be repeat customers, and you’ll want a way to keep in touch with them. Offer repeat renters special deals. Word of mouth is very important. Happy repeat renters will sell your rental to friends, family, and coworkers.

Consider adding renters testimonials and comments to your rental web site. Happy customers will help you sell your property to others. Potential renters love to read what others have to say about your rental, vacationers are usually helpful to one another and share a trusting bond.

I hope this helps. Feel free to call or email to discuss further.

 

[barefootguy]

I'd suggest listing everywhere you can except VRBO. VRBO is a lousy site for vacationers to use, unless they know the area well and know what community they want to be in. Get listed on a bunch of the other sites and you'll get inquiries. I can't guarantee bookings, but you should get lots of inquiries.

 

[tebo]

The house looks really great. It will take a family large enough or a group of people that want to share their vacation with others. Some people just want to use that time to be with family and the family may not be quite large enough. The inside of the house is very nice.:roll:

 

[seacrestkristi]

I was thinking about a neon 'vacancy' sign in the window might be good.

 

[Minnie]

Your place is beautiful. Too large for us and we need pet friendly, but as Kurt said, now that I have seen it, I will refer it to anyone I know that is looking for a larger place.

Good idea too about the having your own domain to link to. Most of the VRBOs I am most interested in have additional photos to look at. The photos on Kurt's site are a much better representation than what you can show on VRBO.

 

[seacrestkristi]

That is a beautiful place and daddyo's tours are the bomb! There is so much available down there.

 

[dunelover]

I may get booted off this thread for saying so, but consider updating the interior some. I have been looking at several listings on vrbo lately and I find the competition in your summer price includeds homes w/ much nicer interiors. Maybe it is easier for a stranger to say than possibly some of your friends.

I have been shopping 3 and 4 beds, and can find a gorgeous gulf-front at bella vita or adagio for 3700 during summer. Just my opinion, but w/ so much competition it might help. One thing I also like is the exact steps, yardage to the beach.

 

[Wastin Away]

I may get booted off this thread for saying so, but consider updating the interior some. I have been looking at several listings on vrbo lately and I find the competition in your summer price includeds homes w/ much nicer interiors. Maybe it is easier for a stranger to say than possibly some of your friends.

I have been shopping 3 and 4 beds, and can find a gorgeous gulf-front at bella vita or adagio for 3700 during summer. Just my opinion, but w/ so much competition it might help. One thing I also like is the exact steps, yardage to the beach.

I would hope that you would not get kicked off this board for voicing your opinion. That is the conculsion that I have had. But, when you get in the house it really is a nice and very spacious house. I do have to say though that when I am comparing I try to compare a house to a house. Condo's are great, and I rent some really nice condos for friends of mine in Destin, but when comparing you just can't compare.