GolfcourseVacationRental.com, a professional services firm based in the Palm Desert , CA, area provides Internet solutions through the combined expertise of advisory, design, technology, and online marketing solutions.

Robert Reynolds has loads of experience promoting vacation rentals online over the past 7 years and has owned vacation rentals himself. We do more than talk about solutions. We make them happen every day for our clients.

Professional Photography and Online Multi-Media & Slide Show Presentations:

Many more bookings.

1) Learn the Inside Secrets to Search Engine Placement and Marketing.
2) Paid Placement in Google, Yahoo, MSN and others.
3) Vacation Rental Agreements
4) Key distribution issues...Lockboxes and Keyless Door Entry
5) Security Deposit Issues
6) Instruction on Taking Reservations
7) Vacation Home Inventory Suggestions
8) Where and How to Advertise
9) Insider Secrets From Experienced Vacation Homeowners.
10) Money Transfer Consulting
11) Get new ideas in marketing your property.
12) Housecleaner Issues... Tips for finding a good one who may also become your manager!

Check out a few of our sites:

www.MultiMillionDollarEstates.com
www.GentlemenStartYourEngines.com
www.ParkCityTouristInformation.com
www.CoachellaValleyTouristInformation.com
www.LuxuryPropertyMarketing.com
www.BedAndBreakfastAccommodations.com

Coming Soon:

www.WorldwideHotelReservations.com

Here is a sample of the professional photography you will get of your home. This photo on the left was taken with a normal camera and lens. The photo on the right was taken with a special camera and software was used to enhance the photo.

Rental Photos…”A picture is worth a thousand words”

It is important to have “great” photos of your vacation rental. When surfers compare your place to another they first compare the photos… it's only natural. So please take some important advice… the better the photos the more bookings you will be able to make.The photo on the left is a typical vacation rental photo and the one on the right is one of our photos we took.

Try to stage the home …just pick up a Good Housekeeping magazine to get some ideas. Some additional things to remember are good lighting, find a good focal point, try standing on a step ladder or a chair. Remember the internet is changing the way vacation rentals are marketed…by all means spend a little extra time taking your photos… it will pay off a 1000 times over.

Pricing – Supply and Demand

In order to be “right on the money” in pricing your unit you will have to do some research on what your competition charges. It might even be a good idea to see what professional management companies are charging in your country club for the same size unit. Many owners make the big mistake of pricing their property much lower than their competition…don’t do it. If you price your unit much lower this can make the internet surfer think there is something wrong with it.

Damage/Security Deposits

The best way to receive payment is to have the renter send a personal check provided that it is sent in advance.

What to charge for a cleaning fee or a damage deposit? Cleaning fees will depend on the size of your unit but an average fee is $150 for the Palm Springs area. The damage deposit averages $250 - $500. If you are going to allow pets it is a good idea to increase the deposit an additional $50.

Keys

The best way to handle the “key” distribution problem is to not distribute the keys at all.

General Electric has a “key lockbox” that has a combination. It will hold two keys. Ever couple of months you can have your housecleaner change the combination or just have three lockboxes and change them now and then. You should also put your telephone number and the house cleaners telephone number in the lockbox in case the renter locks the keys in the house and your phone number is in the house.

Another option is a “push button code door handle” or “keyless entry door lock” for the front door of your condo. (you have probably seen them on some newer cars.). The cost is around $120 - $250 at Home Depot and are very easy to install and very easy to have your housecleaner change the code (as often as you like).

Remember there is always going to be a “lost key issue”. Just be prepared and think ahead. You might give an extra key to a neighbor or have a “special hidden lockbox”. Having an extra key will be definitely worth the added expense, it is just too easy.

By all means don’t let this key thing scare you… thousands and thousands of homeowners are renting out their places themselves. If they can do it so can you!

Writing a good description of your property…it is important to take a little extra time and turn your webpage into a great sales brochure.

Here are some ideas for you to consider:

What words best describe the vacation rental.
Tell the prospective renter about your location and view.
What are the most important features.
Tell them why your property is better.
Finish up with a conclusion
Above all check for spelling errors.