Updated January 2024
It's the new year, and the 2024 rental season is officially launched! Many of you have been getting bookings all fall and may have only a few vacancies to fill. But for those of you who still have lots of availability for the summer, it’s SHOW TIME!! Time to put your (listing’s) best face on.
Even if you’ve had a listing for years, it’s probably time to review it, give it a face lift. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Check your Listing Quality Rating
Does it have a 
? (Look in your Homeowner Center next to “Listing Status.”) If you don’t have a smile face, click through to your Listing Quality Audit to see what you can do to improve your rating. Sometimes it’s just a simple matter of updating your calendar or responding to a recent inquiry. Remember that your listing quality impacts the search sort order!
Double check your calendar and pricing
Is your calendar up to date?
Is your pricing competitive? Do a search to see how your home compares to your competition. See our advice for 2024.
Does your listing include all additional fees? Vacationers want to know the total costs before they inquire about your home. Be sure to complete the fields for any additional fees (cleaning, pet, linen, security deposit).
Property Description and Amenities
Review your description to be sure it's up to date and includes any recent updates.
We added many new amenities to the list in 2022. Have you checked off the ones your home includes?
Have you checked off all of your Green Amenities? If you have 6 or more, your listing will have a prestigious “Green Home” designation:
Has anything changed? Have you replaced furnishings, changed bed configurations, added a fire pit, etc.? Be sure to reflect these changes in your description and add new pictures!
Pictures
The saying “There is never a second opportunity to make a first impression” is so appropriate in marketing. Your pictures, along with informative and descriptive captions, are what make the first and most lasting impact on the viewer. And, of course, video enhances their visual experience.
Offering good quality pictures - and plenty of them - is critical to the success of your marketing efforts. Are your pictures large (at least 1200 pixels across), horizontal/landscape in orientation, and not dark or blurry? Read more about your listing’s visual appeal.
The Ideal Listing
For a comprehensive look at the six most important elements of a listing, see our posts on Building the Ideal Listing which outline the following:
- Visual appeal
- Guest reviews
- Title and Property Description
- Special Offers
- Keeping Everything Current
- Your Map Location
A good listing will not only “sell” your home, but it will also help start off your relationship with your guests on the right foot, hopefully for many seasons to come.