How Do I Know If A Vacation Rental Is An Option For Me?
If you are thinking of investing in a new home and making it into or keeping its vacation rental status it is important to ask yourself a couple of questions. The first and most important is do I have a primary residence? A vacation rental is a second home that is rented out when you are not visiting the Russian River. It is not used as a primary residence. The second question is am I financially stable enough to be investing in a second home? Often with vacation rentals, there is wear and tear from years of having people in and out and sometimes they need some touching up and it is important that you are financially stable enough to be able to make those repairs over time.
What Qualities Should I Look For In Homes For Sale On The Russian River That Would Make A Good Vacation Rental?
If you have established that you are ready to invest in this area and buy a vacation rental then it is time to begin the search for the right home for you. To begin this search it is important that you first begin by taking a look at what is listed for sale on the Russian River. Next, you will need to ask yourself a few more questions. The first of which is does this home have a view? Vacation Rentals with views tend to rent at higher prices and have more interest in them. When people are looking to visit the Russian River they are coming because they want to see the raw natural beauty that this area has to offer. Views are an excellent way to draw people to your vacation rental and it is something that you and yours will be able to enjoy throughout the years as you visit as well. Homes with a view for sale on the Russian River are rare because those who get their hands on one don't usually part with them easily so if you find a home with a view I would suggest considering it as a vacation rental.
The next question you should ask yourself is does it have river access or is it riverfront? This is very important for a vacation rental as most of the people visiting this area are looking to play in the river and sunbathe on the beach. Riverfront homes for sale are in high demand and so are riverfront vacation rentals. Vacation rentals with river access are also in high demand in this area because although they may not sit directly on the river they are close enough that visitors can head down and splash around anytime they want. The next question that you should ask yourself is does it have River Charm? Don't know what that is? Well, here in the Russian River we have what the locals have deemed River Charm. River Charm often describes the rustic cabin feel with privacy, wood burning stoves, vaulted ceilings and more. Homes with River Charm are envied because they show the lifestyle of the area. They give the cozy fireplace and docks with canoe feeling which is what the Russian River is all about.
Once I have a Vacation Rental...What Are Good Tips For Managing It?
Many people are investing in a second home on the Russian River that they can rent out for income and a lot of those income properties are vacation rentals. There are really two ways that you can go about managing a vacation rental. The first is to hire a vacation rental management company in your area, and the second is to do it yourself. There are a few local vacation rental management companies that are good sources. The first one is Russian River Escapes and the second is Russian River Getaways.
If you are considering managing it yourself then VRBO is a great place to show off your home as well as Airbnb. Both of these sites are perfect for someone who owns a vacation rental and wants to rent it themselves without having a management company rent it for them. Other good ideas include having great photographs of the property, an enticing description, competitive rates, and an organized calendar. Follow up on every lead no matter how small it seems and thank the people that do stay in your vacation rental because their review will boost your reputation.
