Prepare Your Short-Term Rental for Spring & Summer!

As spring unfolds and summer draws near, it's prime time to get your short-term rental ready for summer guests seeking unforgettable experiences. This edition of our newsletter is packed with must-know tips to level up your short term rental game for this summer season in Southern Ontario. We've got everything from a handy spring checklist to trends and booking updates for the Niagara Peninsula (Burlington to Niagara Falls), plus why sprucing up your place with hot amenities and capturing some new summer pictures are key to summer success. Let's dive in and make this season a great one for your short term rental!

Spring Maintenance Checklist

A spring maintenance checklist is crucial for ensuring that your short-term rental is in top condition for the upcoming season, providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience for your guests. At Travelluxe, we take pride in meticulously attending to every detail to guarantee the highest standards of guest satisfaction. From changing the furnace filter to testing smoke detectors and changing batteries if needed, safety is our top priority! Here is a break down of the different items on our list:

Travelluxe Spring Maintenance Checklist:​
-Change furnace filter
-Test smoke detectors and change batteries if needed (if they aren't the 10 year batteries)
-Uncover AC Unit
-Test to ensure AC is working properly (is cold air coming out of the vents?)
-Put shovel and salt away (and document where they are)
-Connect water hose(s) to outdoor spout(s)
-Check BBQ and propane tanks
-Refill any empty propane tanks
-Take out any patio furniture that was stored for winter

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Southern Ontario General Market Update

In Q1 2024, revenue increased by 5.45% over the same period last year, indicating a positive development in market conditions. However, occupancy rates declined by 1.37%, potentially due to shifts in customer preferences or an increase in available accommodations. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for strategic planning as we navigate the evolving market landscape.

**Data pulled for all 2+ bedroom rentals Burlington to Niagara Falls**

Our analysis of last year's data for May to September shows an average booking lead time of 27 days, with lead times peaking in July. As the season progresses, booking windows typically decrease, especially towards September. It's important to understand that this pattern is typical in our industry—shorter booking windows during high-demand periods often lead to higher revenues due to limited availability and urgent demand. As we approach this busy season, we are prepared to leverage these last-minute bookings, which can command premium rates.

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Summer Amenities & Seasonal Photos

​Over the past few years we've seen Short Term Rental properties with summer amenities such as hot tubs, pools, patios with outdoor furniture, BBQ grills, string lights, gas fire tables, and outdoor lawn games always perform better than those that do not. Guests are booking properties for a unique and fun experience plus they're willing to pay more per night when a property has these types of amenities. If you want to make sure you're profit maximizing for this upcoming summer season, be sure to upgrade your outdoor space with some of these amenities. 

Reach out to your local territory manager if you'd like recommendations on where to buy some of these amenities! Ensuring that your property has these summer amenities is the first step. Step 2 is to showcase these items and the backyard oasis that you've created. 

The best way to showcase these new amenities is through updated seasonal photographs. In many cases guests book a property due to its location, reviews, and photos. Seasonal photos is one of the best ways to help your property stand out from others in the area. We want to capture an experience that guests will have in the photos; ex. time of day would be sunset/dusk, fire table turned on, string lights above turned on, patio cushions out, and maybe even a couple glasses of wine on the table. Contact us directly get a quote and schedule professional seasonal photographs for your property!

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