Welcoming Your Guests

Nothing sets the tone for a positive vacation experience like a warm note or letter waiting for your guests. Your note could welcome them into your home and express your wishes for a relaxing vacation.

Equally important is to provide your guests with all of the information that will make for a smooth and easy check-in.

Welcome Note and Gift

If you leave a gift, a personalized note is a nice touch.  We have some welcome gift ideas, and these beautiful little note cards are a perfect accompaniment.

You can also post this Welcome flyer in your home along with your own customized property cards.

House Manual and Guidebook

A welcome guide should contain everything your guests need to know during their stay, including info about the home, the area, some household tips, contacts, and local attractions. You may have already sent your guests some of this information prior to their vacation, but it’s a good idea to repeat it since many months may have passed since the lease was signed and information was sent to your guests. House rules, for example, should be noted before they even sign the lease, and some of your house rules should even be included in the lease.

Here are the key elements to include:

• Your contact info, including your phone number(s) and email address.
• Emergency instructions and contact information. Provide the property's exact street address.
• Check-in and check-out times.
• Remind guests to report any issues asap during their stay so you can take measures to address them.
• Important household info:
  • Internet password and connection details
  • Media info – TVs, sound system
  • Trash and recycling
  • Kitchen – where to find things; appliance operation
  • Heating and air conditioning systems
  • Laundry instructions
  • Security system, locks, security cameras
  • Outside – deck, yard, outdoor shower
  • Beach info – access, how to get beach passes

Clarify your house rules regarding:

• Pets
• Visitors during the day and overnight
• Areas of your home that are off limits
• Noise level, particularly at night
• Safety rules re. pool, fire pit, use of kayaks, bikes, etc.

Make local recommendations:

• Grocery stores, fish stores, liquor stores, coffee shops, ice cream cafes, and bakeries
• pharmacies
• Restaurants for both dining in and ordering take-out
• Tours (whale watches, seal tours), hikes, nature trails, kayak rentals, miniature golf (see Vacation Planner)
• Events that may take place during their stay (see Events)
• Art galleries
• Shopping
• Beaches, including ocean and ponds (see Beaches)

Vacation’s End

Your guests will need to know what’s expected of them prior to checking out. Be realistic with your requests. (For example, asking them to wash and dry all of the linens and towels before a 10 am checkout might be challenging for most guests.)

Below is a sample check-out list that you can modify to your needs.

(Sample) Check-out Instructions:

We hope you’ve enjoyed your stay. Check-out time is 10 am. Before you depart, we would appreciate your taking care of these items:

• Kitchen – Remove all food from the fridge and counters/cupboards. Unplug appliances (toaster, coffee maker). It’s ok to leave the dishwasher running.
• Bathrooms – Remove all personal items.
• Trash – Remove all trash, especially from the kitchen, secure in large trash bags provided, and place in the trash barrels.
• Bedrooms – Leave used linens and towels in laundry room. Please put spreads on the beds.
• Beach towels – Wash, dry, and fold all beach towels and leave them in the laundry room closet.
• TVs – Make sure the remotes are left by the TVs and are easy to find.
• Rugs and floors – Broom clean.
• Deck – Return any moved furniture to their original positions, including the grill. 
• Grill – Be sure the gas for grill is off, and clean grill grates with wire brush.
• Check under beds, in closets, and outside shower for your belongings.
• Turn off the air conditioning and close all windows and doors.
• Lock the house and put the key in the prescribed location.
• Please notify us of any damage or items that are not in working order so that we can get them repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

We would appreciate your posting a guest review on our listing, ID XXXXX, providing future vacationers with insight about your experience in our home.

Have a safe trip home!

Return their deposit

The final step is to return your guests’ deposit as soon as you or your cleaning staff determine that your home was left in good condition.  If they haven’t written a guest review yet, you might send them a guest review request using the form in your Homeowner Center.