10 Ways To Maximize Your Beach-home Rental Income In OCMD

Ocean City Rental Properties

Top 10 Ways To Maximize Rental Income For Your Ocean City Property.

Managing a vacation rental property in Ocean City, MD can be exciting and a great investment… but can also be challenging and cause a bit of stress. We’re here to help show you the best ways to maximize your rental income as a property owner at the beach.

Our team is well known for being one of the best rental management companies in Ocean City. With decades of experience and a group of the best experts in the business, we want to share the knowledge that took us years to learn. So without any further ado, let’s jump right in!

1. Invest in Upgrades

Upgrades help you stand out! When Guests are choosing a vacation rental for their next OC Vacation, they have an overwhelming amount of properties to choose from.

A small investment in upgrades goes a longgg way in making your property stand out over others. Condos or townhomes that are well-maintained and recently updated tend to attract more bookings and can even boost your nightly rate.

One of the best decisions you can make in terms of upgrading your property is to do so in kitchens & bathrooms. Both of these areas are spaces that your guests will likely be spending a lot of time in, so making sure they are upgraded should be a top priority. If you already feel your bathroom & kitchen are as good as they are going to get, invest in modern appliances, cool & stylish décor, and fresh paint. These upgrades will help your property look fresh & clean and will also make it more functional.

2. Property Cleanliness

Ocean City’s vacation rental market is more competitive than it has ever been! Especially for summer rentals. As a result, keeping your property fresh, bright, and clean is an absolute must! Remember, guests standards are high! They are paying a good chunk of change to stay in your property, so we want them to have a great experience.

Steam cleaning your carpet, fabric couches/chairs, use some Magic-Erasers on wall scuffs, and having seasonal DEEP cleans performed. Properties whose cleanliness impresses their guests are properties that are much more likely to see long-term success. Moral of the story? Don’t skimp on cleaning!

3. Provide Additional Value to Guests

Enhancing your guests’ experience by providing little things that add large values of additional value is a great way to stand out from your competitors. Make sure you’re offering amenities, such as sheets and towels, beach gear, a closet stuffed to the brim with family board or card games, and high-speed internet can add SIGNIFICANT value to your rental. Guests will undoubtedly appreciate the convenience and comfort of having these essentials provided, making them more likely to book your property over others. It makes your property feel like home to them!

Did You Know: Our team at Central Reservations helps you do this for every guest that books direct? Under our “Central Rewards Program” these guests receive discounts & vouchers to local businesses, good for the dates of their stay. Our Guests LOVE this program!

4. Personal Touches

A small gesture can make a big impact on a vacationer’s experience in your OCMD vacation rental. Leaving a personalized note for your guests can make them feel special and appreciated. Some of our owners choose to leave a handwritten letter to their guests, welcoming them to their ‘home’ and sharing their favorite parts about it. Then they laminate it and leave it posted somewhere visible for every guest to see. This small little touch makes a bigger difference than you might think. It makes your guests feel more ‘anchored’ in the experience, knowing there’s a relationship behind this transaction and not just a cold and faceless investment property. The result is often repeat guests! And that’s the best thing a property owner could ask for!

5. Offer a Repeat Guest Discount

Following up on our point above… Encouraging repeat business is without a doubt one of the best ways to keep your rental calendar full. Offering a small discount to returning guests can incentivize them to choose your beautiful rental property again next year!

Additionally, repeat guests will likely take better care of your property for one simple reason… they appreciate your hospitality, and they want to come back again and get their discount! Repeat guests provide a reliable income source so you don’t have to worry as much about filling your calendar. (Nothing impacts repeat guests more than a really clean property…. hint, hint!)

6. Return Your Listing Agreement Early

If you read this tip once, read it again…then again…then again. Maybe even TEN TIMES! Timing is crucial in the vacation rental market. By Returning your listing agreement to your vacation rental manager early in the year (aka September-November of the year before), you can increase your property’s visibility for the first wave of potential vacationers.

Our data analysis shows that our properties that are listed early significantly outperform those that wait until February or March before re-listing. This is a super simple tip that can literally mean the difference between THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS in rental income gained or lost. Get those listing agreements back early!

7. Set Realistic Expectations EVERY Year

Understanding that every single summer season in Ocean City, MD is different will help owning a rental property more enjoyable and way less stressful. Understanding the expected rental-market forecast for the coming season and setting realistic expectations based on the market forecast is a key to a successful rental strategy.

Start with this motto: It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Be strategic and set realistic expectations and you’ll come out on top.

While it’s natural to shoot for the starts and aim for a large amount of rental income, it’s important to set realistic expectations that help achieve occupancy. Occupancy is often much more important than any individual ‘rate’.

We work hand in hand with our owners to maximize your total income… It’s about the entire summer, not just one-peak-summer-week we rented for more than a competitor.

8. Leverage Technology and Automation

Out team uses decades of experience, advanced tools and automated processes to optimize ‘your’ rental operations. From personalized & data-backed goal setting (specific to every owner), to automated guest communications, leveraging technology helps to maximize our efficiency and your profitability.

Our persistent marketing strategies ensure that your Ocean City, MD rental property gets the visibility it deserves, attracting more potential guests. Let US work for YOU!

9. Understand the Local Market

The Ocean City rental market has evolved significantly over the past few years and is continuing to do so even as we write this. The surge in the amount of available vacation rentals during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased competition. In other words, inventory is high, while demand has normalized back to where it was prior to COVID-19. Knowing that information, it’s crucial to stay informed about market trends and adjust your strategies accordingly.

Do NOT treat this year like last year, or like two years ago! It’s a mistake now, and it’ll be a mistake next year.

Here at Central Reservations, we keep our finger on the pulse of the local market, we keep our owners informed, and we are constantly working on every one of our listings to make sure all of our properties stay competitive and maximize their rental income.

10. Skip The Guesswork – Hire The Best

You made it this far, which shows us you care about your property, your future, and your business. The next step is easy. Turn the day-to-day operations over to the locals that live-breathe-eat-sleep this business. We love what we do, we love our owners, and we want to work for you!

Why Choose Central Reservations?

Central Reservations has been Ocean City’s most trusted LOCAL vacation rental management company for decades.

· Local Expertise: We are proud to say that we are locally owned & operated, have a team of rental agents that are 100% local, able, and willing to offer in-depth knowledge of the Ocean City, MD rental market from their decades of experience IN Ocean City.

· Experienced Agents: We have a dedicated team of highly experienced renal agents, and a management team of industry leaders who are committed to your success.

· Advanced Technology: We embrace, understand, and utilize innovative technologies as they become available to us. This allows us to enhance our guests’ experience and maximize rental income for our owners.

· Comprehensive Management: From guest communications to maintenance, we handle all aspects of rental property management, ensuring a seamless experience for you & your guests.

Conclusion

Maximizing your vacation rental income is not a ‘set it and forget it’ type of business. What was ‘good enough’ five years ago, might not be the ‘best’ in today’s market. By investing in a few property upgrades, offering additional guest amenities, and leveraging technology, you can significantly enhance your rental’s appeal and profitability. At Central Reservations, we’re here to support you every single step of the way with our local expertise and innovative solutions. Ready to take your vacation rental income to the next level? Contact us today to learn how we can help YOU achieve your goals.

See you at the beach soon!

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