Your vacation home is likely already furnished and decorated; however, when you begin renting it out your condo, cabin, or cottage as a short-term rental, it's important to find a balance between personal convenience and guest comfort. Walk through your vacation home and remove any irreplaceable or valuable items. Create a lockable closet in your home for storing personal items and extra supplies. The rest of your home should be relatively free of personal affects and clutter. In addition to removing and locking away personal items, it's also important to add the items that travelers expect to find in a vacation rental home.

The Kitchen
When it comes to the kitchen, guests appreciate convenience. Your kitchen should be equipped with enough plates, glasses, and flatware for double the number of people that you sleep, a coffee pot, adequate cooking gear, and a dining room table that will seat the number that you sleep. If you sleep large numbers, have a fold-up table and chairs readily available for the kids.

The Bedrooms
All vacation homes should have quality and ample bedding. This means at least two sets of high-quality sheets for each bed, pillows with pillow protectors, extra blankets, and mattress pads. Also consider supplying an alarm clock and reading lamp on a bedside table in each bedroom.

The Living Area
Your living area should have comfortable seating for at least the number of people that you sleep, a TV large enough for guests to watch from across the room (27” or larger) with at least basic cable, a DVD player or at the very least a VCR, and a couple decks of cards and a board game or two for rainy days.

The Bathrooms
Renters expect the bathrooms to be spotless. They also demand quality towels. Provide at least 2 bath towels, 2 hand towels, and 4 washcloths per guest.

The Extras
When equipping your vacation rental property, remember why renters are choosing to stay in a vacation home instead of a hotel. Consider providing items like a washer and dryer, high-speed Internet, an iron and ironing board, a hair dryer, books, games, videos, and a first aid kit. Small objects like books, vases, and flowers can make the property feel more like a home than a hotel room. Also consider adding extras particular to your vacation rental market.  For example, if you own a cottage along the coast of Nova Scotia or on Prince Edward Island, consider stocking your kitchen with a lobster pot.

How did you prepare your second home for vacation renting?

Vacation Home Amenities: Room by Room Learn how to outfit each room of your vacation home for maximum renting potential.   Ten Personal Affects to Leave at Your Property Tips for which items to leave at your vacation rental home-- and which to leave behind.   The Benefits of Renting Your Vacation Home Second homeowners like you share the reasons why they chose to rent their homes.   13 Keys to Successfully Renting Your Cottage, Condo, or Cabin A few guidelines for making sure that your vacation rental business runs smoothly and effectively.