Thinking about renting out your Sandalfoot Cove waterfront home this summer? Before welcoming your first guests, consider making a few strategic upgrades to prepare your property for the demands of vacation rentals. Thoughtful remodeling can help protect your home from wear and tear, improve comfort and functionality, and create an inviting space that stands out to potential renters.Rental Arrival Zone
When guests walk inside with sandy feet, beach bags, and coolers they will either love you or hate you based on whether or not it’s obvious where they should set their things. If they have to make decisions, you’re headed for trouble. Wet towels and beach flip-flops belong at the door, not in bedrooms and living rooms. Fishing gear and pets also factor into the mix. A few suggestions for creating the perfect rental landing zone:
- Hooks (different heights for different bags)
- Storage (for umbrellas, boogie boards, beach chairs, etc, preferably out of sight)
- A bench or spot to set things (wipeable surfaces only please!)
- Tile or other easy-to-clean/water tolerant flooring
- A small tray for shoes
While trendy, wallpaper will cost you, as will open storage/cubbies (catch-alls for clutter), delicate wood benches, etc.
Durable Kitchen Surfaces
While the kitchen doesn’t have to be as flashy as it was during listing photography, it will have to withstand daily cooking and fast turn arounds by cleaning crews. Smooth (not heavily textured) countertops are easier to maintain and so are matte surfaces (for fingerprint management purposes). Go for easy-to-clean sink, faucet, and range finishes, and be careful with trendy countertops, backsplash, and oversized cabinet hardware (that is more likely to loosen than simple pulls). Other suggestions:
- Ample storage space to avoid counter clutter (for cooking utensils, pots and pans, serving pieces, groceries, etc.)
- A designated space for the owners that can be locked (to store extra paper towels, coffee, your espresso machine, wine glasses, etc.)
Remodeling Tip: Be careful when planning kitchen renovations that involve moving sinks, electrical outlets, or gas lines for the range, as these changes can quickly increase costs without necessarily improving functionality for your guests. When planning remodeling in Sandalfoot Cove, focus on practical upgrades that make the most of your existing layout while keeping your budget and long-term needs in mind.
Fast-Reset Bathrooms
Large-format wall tiles are easier to keep clean than lots of small tiles (grout!) and stain-resistant countertops will get a pat from your cleaning crew. Other suggestions:
- Ample storage and durable cabinetry/vanities
- Recessed areas for toiletries
- Reasonably stain-resistant floors and easy-to-clean fixtures
- Ample hooks, shelving, and towel bars
- If there’s a shower, make it a walk in, easy to keep clean, with built in shelving for toiletries. A handy hand-held shower wand to rinse off sand will also get a pat on the back from guests. Easy-to-clean (or remove and launder) doors, panels, and curtains also help.
Remodeling Tip: If there are guests sleeping over, there better be room for their towels and toiletries!
Guest Bedroom Use
- Blackout drapes/shades (for those sleeping in, the summer sun rises early, laid out without much jargon at https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/seasons/en, by the water!)
- Nightstands with lamps and easily accessible electrical outlets
- Ample owners-only closet space that can be locked (so guests won’t rifle through everything and cleaning ladies have an obvious spot to keep supplies)
- Room to spread out luggage (with a handy bench to sit on while unpacking)
Outdoor Weather Readiness
Outdoor furniture that is wind-, rain-, and heat-tolerant will save you some grief. Other considerations:
- Outdoor furniture that is easy to clean with washable cushion covers that come off easily, tables without textured finishes that are easy to wipe down and chairs that can drain if caught in a surprise rain.
- Railings in good repair, items that blow around stowed/anchored, drainage working properly (especially around doors), etc.
Remodeling Tip: Salt air can wreak havoc on outdoor materials, think carefully about finishes for gates (and latches), cleats, door hardware, hose reels, mailbox hardware, hinges, etc. Materials that don’t require regular refinishing also make sense. Lighting can be helpful as well for dock and entry way areas. Make sure you can see elevation changes and stairs. If the dock, gate, and walkway leading up to the house looks run down and beat up, even a just-renovated house can seem neglected. Slip resistant materials on docks are safer for wiggly feet post-swimming/boating and an asset to your cleaning crew (they’ll hate scrubbing algae out of rough, textured crevasses!).
Before the First Booking
Walk through your rental arrival experience from the perspective of a guest, bring in bags and pretend to have damp towels. Where would you set these items down? Can you see your way in at night? How do you unlock the gate? Once inside, where would you intuitively (without thought) store a cooler? Do the towels have somewhere obvious to go?
What if you wanted to store sunscreen and a book by the pool for the afternoon? Is there somewhere intuitive and convenient? How accessible are the light switches, thermostat, etc.? Is your test-turn okay, i.e. if you left tonight will you be happy with your space in the morning? Can the cleaning crew get into every closet? Does everything work as it should? Can everything be closed, latched, and/or locked?
