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  Listings 101 , HomeAway Listing Critique: Gated Golfing Condo (Orlando, FL)  
 
     
HomeAway Listing Critique: Gated Golfing Condo (Orlando, FL)

In a competitive market like Orlando, it's important that your ad pop! This listing is solid with good pictures.
 

Gated Golfing Condo: http://www.homeaway.com/135199

Since Orlando is such a huge vacation rental market, it's vital that you make your ad as complete as possible since most renters will use the categories on the left hand side of the HomeAway search page to narrow down the number of properties that they see.  It's also important to be clear about where your property is located because many renters will choose based upon on location above all other factors.


PROPERTY HEADLINE & PROPERTY ACCOMMODATION SUMMARY

The first thing that I thought when I read your headline was: Where is this property located that I have to be concerned with security?  You are in a family destination and while offering a "gated" community is indeed a plus, I'm not so sure that I'd put it in my headline.  Since your property is very reasonably priced for the area, you might highlight this is your headline.  While HomeAway doesn't allow prices in the headline, VRBO does, so if you list with them, I'd definitely recommend putting your price in the headline there.

Good use of your special offer.  Since you haven't updated your calendar since then, I can't tell if it worked for you or not.

Your thumbnail photo is good.  The red wall makes the picture stand out.

With 2 bedrooms, you really only sleep 4?  You might want to add a sofa sleeper or bunk beds to boost your sleeping to 6.


PHOTOS AND CAPTIONS

Your photos are overall very nice.  I think I would regroup them-- having all of the interior, exterior, and amenity shots together.  Next time you're down at your property, try to take the exterior shots on a sunny day.  It makes a world of difference in selling the Florida-sunshine factor.


SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPERTY

Good description overall.  Starting the description with "my" is a bit odd for your renters because it may make them feel like they're an intruder into your space, instead of a welcome guest.  Instead, write to your renters, using language like "you" and "your stay." 

I'd highlight that your property is recently renovated at the beginning of the description or in the headline.  Renters love to hear that things are new.  One of the biggest of fears of renters is that they'll get to a property and it's shabby and old.

Your location description is good and gives the renter a clear idea of where your property is located in relation to the major landmarks.


AVAILABILITY CALENDAR

Looks like you book very well.  Consider updating your availability calendar more often during the busy January and February booking months since that's when many renters book for the summer.


RENTAL RATE & FEE TABLE

Your rates are very clear and simple.


BASIC PROPERTY FEATURES

In your second bedroom, consider adding two sets of bunk beds to increase the number of guests that you can sleep.

Consider changing your sentence about the blinds to: "The rooms are very comfortable and the rolling blinds allow you to let in the year round sunshine or to shut it out and sleep in."


AMENITIES & ATTRACTIONS

 You offer a lot of amenities for the price.  Your property is a great deal.


CUSTOM LINKS, REVIEWS & OWNER CONTACT INFORMATION

Your further details description is great.  Your "Golf Information" section is funny.  Renters like that.  It makes them realize that you're a real person and not a hotel.

Wow, you speak a lot of languages.  Do you also list your property of European sites like Fewo-Direkt.deAbritel.fr, or HolidayRentals.co.uk that allow you to list your property in multiple languages?

The Diagnosis: Solid ad with good pictures.

Do you have additional suggestions for this ad? Email us.


© Copyright 2007 HomeAway, Inc.

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