More vacationers are booking vacation rentals earlier than ever. Before the pandemic, the booking season often began in January. Now, many travelers secure their homes months in advance—sometimes as early as July or August of the previous year.
Vacationers know that booking early gives them the best selection, especially for prime mid-summer weeks and popular destinations. For homeowners, this trend creates both opportunity and responsibility. Here’s how to prepare your vacation rental for early bird bookings.
Why Early Vacation Rental Bookings Are Increasing
- Families want to lock in popular summer weeks.
- Travel logistics like ferry reservations and flights push planning earlier.
- Early booking provides peace of mind and more options for vacationers.
For homeowners, this means being ready sooner with accurate calendars, rates, and clear booking policies.
How Homeowners Can Prepare for Early Bookings
- Keep your listing updated. Refresh photos, update descriptions, and set next season’s rates by late summer or early fall.
- Open your calendar. Only block weeks once you’ve received a signed lease and deposit.
- Set repeat guest policies. Decide how long you’ll hold dates and how much you’ll require upfront.
- Track tentative bookings. Use booking tools that allow “tentative” holds without blocking your calendar completely.
- Stay accurate. Update your calendar at least every two to four weeks off-season and more frequently during peak demand.
- Review your lease and cancellation policy. Early reservations carry more uncertainty, so your terms should protect your income.
Recommended Payment Schedules for Early Reservations
Requiring an initial deposit and signed lease is the best way to confirm an early booking. Common approaches include:
- 50% deposit with the lease at booking, balance due 45–90 days in advance.
- Three-part payments (⅓, ⅓, ⅓) for bookings made far in advance.
Best practices for deposits and payments:
- Collect lodging tax with the final balance since tax rates may change.
- For Island rentals, require a higher deposit—ferry travel makes late cancellations hard to rebook.
- Remember: income must be reported in the year funds are received, not the rental year.
Managing Repeat Guests in an Early Booking Climate
Repeat guests are valuable, but holding dates too long for them can mean losing new bookings. Strategies include:
- Follow up right after departure. Return their deposit, thank them, ask for a review, and invite them to rebook for next year.
- Offer loyalty pricing. If rates are increasing, reward past guests with last year’s rate or a modest discount.
- Set firm deadlines. Instead of waiting until January, ask for confirmation by September 15 or October 1.
- Right of first refusal. If a new inquiry overlaps with a tentative hold, give your repeat guest 24–48 hours to decide.
Weigh how valuable the guest is—long-term returnees may deserve more flexibility than one-time visitors. Always secure a deposit and lease before confirming.
Stay Organized with Booking Management Tools
Managing early inquiries, deposits, and multiple payment schedules can get complicated. A booking management system helps by:
- Syncing with your calendar
- Tracking payments and due dates
- Storing guest details
- Sending automated reminders
Staying organized reduces stress and builds trust with guests who are booking months in advance.
Read more about Booking Management.
The Takeaway
Vacationers are booking vacation rentals earlier every year. By updating your listing, setting clear deposit and cancellation policies, and managing repeat guests effectively, you can protect your rental income and secure reliable bookings well before peak season.
Preparing for early bird bookings ensures you don’t miss opportunities—and helps guests feel confident about choosing your home.