Don’t Drop the Ball this New Year- Revive Your Property With 5 Simple Updates
Out with the old, in with the new. This famous adage is one to live by as we start the new year. For many, this could be eliminating old habits, moving, or even a career change. For the short term rental host, the new year is your signal to refresh and renew your Airbnb property. At FIX Linens, we are experts when it comes to keeping your property fresh and desirable for guests. Here are five simple ways to freshen up your property and attract and keep clientele.
Paint
If you have owned your property for more than two years, it might be time to freshen up that paint! Short term rental properties can take a beating; and multiple guests and suitcase arrivals and departures can really pack a punch. At the beginning of each calendar year, we advise taking inventory of your property’s interior walls, doors and moldings. Pay special attention to doorways, hallways, entries and other high traffic areas as these are the places that often experience knicks and chips. Kitchens can also be an important place to survey. Walls in a heavily used kitchen can experience build up and look dingy over time. A fresh coat of paint in these areas is a simple and relatively cheap way to give your property a renewed look.
Fixtures
Little things mean a lot- especially for a booking guest. The new year is a great time to take stock of your property’s fixtures. It is surprising how an outdated cabinet pull or a kitchen faucet can result in your property giving off a retro- and not in a cool way- vibe. Stay up on the newest trends that will make the most of your property’s aesthetic. A simple updated or upscale door knob, outlet cover or cabinet hardware can do wonders for the overall look of your property. Again- this is a change that doesn’t take massive renovation and can be relatively pocketbook friendly. Check out these fixtures within your property for glow-up opportunities:
Door knobs and hinges
Cabinet and drawer pulls
Bathroom and kitchen faucets
Shower heads and knobs
Shower doors, curtains, rods & rings
Outlet covers
Installed lighting fixtures
Carbon monoxide and fire detectors
Appliances
Appliances can make or break the overall aesthetic and usability of your property. While in private homes it is customary to replace appliances after something goes wrong, in the STR world it is much better to replace appliances before they end their natural lifespan. A failed appliance can put a real kink in a guest’s visit, so if an appliance is reaching the 10-15 year mark, it is best to be proactive.
In addition, if you have just purchased your property, and the appliances work but are a bit outdated, installing new is a way to refresh the space without a total remodel. Another bonus for replacement: many times these upgrades will offer energy saving options that could benefit your bottom line.
Beds and Linens
The comfort of your Airbnb guests is of the utmost importance. The best way to insure their stay is nothing but dreamy is to make sure each bed in your rental is comfortable and provides guests with a restful night’s sleep.
If you have received any negative reviews about bed comfort, it might be time for mattress replacement. The industry standard for mattress replacement is every 6-10 years. Quality mattress covers and protectors can extend the life of a mattress, but when in doubt, replace. In addition, the new year marks a great time to assess those linens and improve the cozy factor of your beds.
Look for stains, rips or tears that might make early replacement necessary. Even if linens show no sign of wear and tear, January is a good benchmark month to establish a replacement schedule for your linens. Because of their constant use and laundering, STR linens may need to be replaced more often than those used within a regular household.
A good rule of thumb for pillowcases is about every 6 months. Sheets sets, duvet covers and pillows can last 6 months to a year depending on usage, while a quality duvet insert can last about 3 years. Want to find out more? Check out FIX’s Ultimate AIRBNB Bedding Guide with guidelines that will keep your property fresh and welcoming.
Entertainment Features
If bookings for your property need a bump, take inventory of the entertainment options your property provides and replace or upgrade to appeal to new guests and make your listing more competitive. Take note of the entertainment options available in each room.
Smart TV’s with streaming capabilities and enhanced audio or visual functionality can be a draw for many guests, while adding video gaming systems can appeal to families and are a great listing addition. Upgrading to a faster and more reliable WIFI connection will never be a bad investment in a short term rental and will insure the business traveller or a larger party booking can stream with ease.
Don’t forget those tech free options. Board games or puzzles with missing pieces need to be replaced, and if your property only sports a deck of cards and a monopoly board from 1982, up your game with some more current options.
If you’re ready to really dig deep and enhance your property’s entertainment value, consider adding fun outdoor features such as a hot tub, sauna, outdoor kitchen or pool. While these make for a heftier investment, additions like these will set your property apart during property searches.
Helping your Airbnb property turn over a new leaf isn’t as difficult or expensive as one may think. Taking inventory of needed changes and upgrades and tackling these one at a time will help you and your property take on the new year with gusto.
Want to read more about how you can improve your property with new routines and management systems? Check out our blog to find out how cleaning routines and simple listing and management tweaks can take your property from a side hustle to a full blown business.
Written by: Cary Ballard - Freelance Writer for FIX Linens