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As the off-season approaches, you have the opportunity to market to a different type of rental party: The Couples (two or more couples traveling together).
When trying to market your vacation home to couples, you have to think about why they travel in the first place-- usually to take a break from the kids and enjoy a relaxing trip with adult company. Even if the couples don't have kids or are empty-nesters, they'll likely be looking for the same types of accommodations and amenities as those on a child-free respite.
When couples search for a home to rent, most often number one on their list of priorities will be sleeping accommodations. While they might enjoy each other's company, they will also want the privacy of their own bedroom and bathroom. And no one will want to compromise.
You may very well have a property that is perfect for couples, but perhaps you're not maximizing the marketability of your second home.
Let's take a typical 2 bedroom condo. Say, you have an obvious “master bedroom”— one bedroom that's bigger than the other one and perhaps has a bigger bathroom. Your other bedroom is smaller, but has an attached bathroom as well.
If you market the home as a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, you could be selling your home short. Instead, you can market that home as having “2 Master Bedrooms.” While one may have a king bed and the other a full or queen-sized bed, advertising your condo in this manner just might attract couples who would have otherwise passed right over your listing.
Since a couples' weekend is likely “time away from the kids,” your guests look for different amenities than they would on a family vacation. They're looking forward to having a few adult beverages, watching movies that don't feature talking animals, and maybe listening to a few of their favorite non Radio Disney tunes (Nothing says “weekend without the kids” like jamming to Bob Seger, Jimmy Buffet, and Sammy Hagar.)
To help set the scene for kicking back without the kids, here are a few amenities that they may be looking for:
• Wine glasses
• A blender
• A hot tub
• A big screen TV
• A stereo
• A comfortable outdoor seating area
• Martini glasses and shakers
Also, be sure to mention what attractions (bars, restaurants, etc.) are within walking distance of your property in your ad.
The great part about renting to couples is that they're usually traveling without kids, so they're not constrained by school calendars and will travel during the slower shoulder seasons to avoid crowds. So, when assessing your off-season marketing, don't forget about couples traveling together. They could be the boost your rental calendar needs.
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