Buying a country property in Andalusia, using it as a holiday house for your family and friends, and offering it for holiday lets in the remaining periods, is definitely a new trend. In this blog we will highlight some ‘best practices’ in the area of Casares and Gaucín.
The prospect of buying a large country villa and making money from holiday lettings seems an attractive option to expats from northern Europe. What are key factors to have in place so this exercise will be a success? We have asked some of our clients to fill you in on the do’s and don’ts of renting out your villa.
Your country property is exclusive, market it in the same way
Nowadays most prospective guests seem to search for a villa directly online or use a specialist booking agency. You can advertise your villa through international portals like HomeAway, Villa Rental by Owner, Owners Direct, Tripadvisor etc. This is relatively cheap yet you will compete with thousands of others and it will not be easy to get attention on the unique qualities of your house. A more successful way is to find the right agencies that offer an exclusive set of luxury properties with characteristics similar to yours. For luxury country property in Andalusia agencies as Rustic Blue, La Taha, Andalucia Holiday Villas and Real Ronda offer this. They advertising the property, deal with the bookings, inform the clients about the area. In return they take a commission. Some other agencies like Simply Spain, book your house throughout the whole summer season in return for a fixed fee. Your income is guaranteed and they have the house exclusive for their set of clients.
When you offer exclusive property, fulfil the client’s expectations!
A country villa will generally attract families or couples who have a little bit more to spend. Due to the exclusive location with absolute privacy, the good quality finishing of the house and the extensive garden, terraces and pool area, high rates can be charged during the summer months. The tenants attracted by this kind of property are much more likely to treat the villa and its contents with care. In return these visitors expect a higher standard of service and furnishings. They expect someone to greet them at arrival, advise them on places to go and things to do, and to be on hand to sort out any problems without delay.
Reliable management arrangements are essential!
In order to deal with problems right away it is essential to have reliable property management available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The ideal situation is to have someone available on site. Some properties have a separate annex available where the caretaker, or in some occasions the owner himself, to assure that the rental client’s wishes are met on the spot.
One of the villa’s we offer for sale have a very clever design. The house van be used a one large 5 bedroom villa or can be split in a 3 bedroom main house and a 2 bedroom second house. Both houses have their own entrance, terraces and gardens and can be used or rented independently one from the other or, for big family or friends gatherings the houses are joined together to enjoy it to the full.
Manage your bookings calendar continously
Especially if you work with several agents and do some advertising on the web yourself, make sure to have an up to date booking calendar reflecting the actual situation of reservations, options and free periods. Plus, equally important, answer your email inquiries immediately. The client or agent needs the information now, they are inquiring on several properties and the one that responds quickly, efficient and with the relevant information is going to be rewarded with a booking!
Ensure smooth changeovers
Guests leave at 11am and new ones arrive at 4pm. Which gives you a timeframe of 5 hours to get the house ready in the impeccable state the holiday makers will expect. The cleaners have to know the routine. Bathrooms, bedrooms, terraces and pool area have to be brought back into the exact state you have agreed with them. The kitchen (also the oven and fridge/freezer) and living room has to be spotless and clean. And don’t forget to invest in a small welcome pack. A nice bottle of wine in the fridge, olives and nibbles, some fresh fruit and water is the minimum you should provide.
Remember at all times that your guests are looking for the ultimate holiday experience. Some might become friends; others want their privacy. In either case, they are in the lead, you are only there to facilitate them. At the end of the day they will reward you with repeat bookings, fantastic online reviews, recommendations and of course a very welcome extra income!
Anita Schmidt | 20th March 2014
