Successful Vacation Rentals

In the eleven years I have been advertising online vacation rentals I have discovered a simple but often forgotten formula that separates successful private owner advertising from mediocre online ads; and it’s free. Stage your home for digital photos. Your homes greatest potential lies in its appeal to shoppers. Take the time to stage your home. Print this list and bring it with you. Many times I have told folks not to forget how important the items below are to their advertising, but with so many other important things to do as well that I have regretted not having the list below with me when I photographed my own vacation rental.

Take your photos in the late afternoon, or very early evening before the sun sets.
Turn on all the lights, this is an easy one to forget, but remains one of the most important aspects of advertising online photos. All those recessed lights, bedside lamps, candle lights; every single light in your home can help create an inviting, warm ambience when digitally photographed.
Turn on the amenities. Turn on the TV and find appropriate channels, Disney is good. Take the lid off of the spa, and turn it on, lights, jets even staging with some people is fine, but not necessary, as most shoppers like to picture themselves in the photo! Light the fireplace and set the table, candlelight is a nice touch.
Example: Big Sky Vacation Rental

4. Keep your lights on and after the inside photos have been taken; take exterior photos with all the lights still on before it gets too dark.

You don’t need to be a professional photographer, just pretend you are doing a photo shoot for a magazine and your assignment is to show your home to its full potential. Your home will always look better in person then in photos, so do your best to make it shine!
---Taylor Lewis Vacation Rentals http://lodging4vacations.com

Malibu Beach for Winter Blues

Malibu Vacation Rentals
"In Malibu may be the nicest little beach you’ve never heard about.

You can’t see this lovely cove from the road; it’s tucked off the Pacific Coast Highway, but a big sign marks the turnoff. The beach is picturesque enough to have attracted location filming of, among others, Baywatch, Rockford Files, and Gidget, and there’s a great fishing pier. Somewhat protected, the Cove generally offers calmer waters, making it ideal for families.

With or without kids, the Paradise Cove Beach Café--all dressed up in vintage photos of the California Coast--is a first-rate restaurant, with style and no attitude. The sign inside the door says it all: “Dress Code—None.” The place is famous for its crispy calamari appetizer served in a bucket-size martini glass, but a close second must be the heaping (no portion here is small) fish tacos. Tuesday and Thursday nights feature live jazz, and if you eat at the restaurant, parking is free." California Travel and Tourism

3 Easy Ways to get more Business for your Vacation Rental

I hope business has picked up? I have some suggestions to help you with your advertising.


First, Google Places is a great free map listing, that’s right FREE! They do offer additional ways to get visitors' attention with some expense, but that is optional. I highly recommend Google places, and it is easy to set up an account here: Google Places
No time to set up an account with Goolgle places? no problem, I’m here to help, just e-mail me: taylor@lodging4vacations.com
Second, do you have a Facebook account for your condo? Facebook has always been a good way to connect with friends and family, but it is also a great way to connect with guests to your rental condo or home. Make a separate account for your condo, a fan page, this way it doesn’t have to be your personal account. No time? Have me help you! I can also contribute with fascinating articles.

Third, have you thought about a short 3 minute video of your rental home’s best features? If you have a video camera I can help you download the movie to Youtube and then I can embed the code on your web page. From Youtube you can link to your page helping it rank better in the search engines. Example: Islamorada Vacation Rental
Let me know if you are interested?


Also how about an online guestbook? With so much competition, recommendations are huge! So set out that guestbook for your visitors and then e-mail me any reviews, or suggest your guests go to an online review site such as Tripadvisor or Yelp. OR we can create one for you online. Give me a call: 760 258-0779 Taylor

Looking for a Cheap Last Minute Christmas Ski Vacation?

This is the year the last minute deals are cheaper, not more expensive. Normally when you book a last minute hotel you're going to pay through the roof...not this year. For example, I just heard about a great deal in Lake Tahoe. Normally this gorgeous house would be booked well before Christmas, but not this year. The private owner has decided to cut her prices. As well as many other private owners, because they can!! They don't have the overhead like hotels. So if you have procrastinated, because of the economy, and now you are dreaming of a White Christmas, then you realize prices may never be this good for a last minute Christmas vacation again.
Last Minute Christmas Ski Home in Lake Tahoe

Time to Fly South

For those of you living in the upper northern hemisphere, it's time to start exploring the lower southern United States. How lucky to stay in Florida! At Bridgewater in Bonita Springs after you visit you may never go anywhere else. This 1,700 square foot Bonita Springs luxury condo has panoramic views of Little Hickory Bay, Wiggins Pass and Florida's multimillion dollar waterfront homes. Take in the view from the large screened-in Lanai or walk to the sandy beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, or simply fish in the Gulf. Boat slips included. Bridgewater is an exclusive gated community located 15 minutes north of world class shopping, dining, galleries, plus great golf and tennis recreation, between Naples and Fort Myers. Onsite there is a heated and lighted pool located bayfront for a refreshing dip. Whether golfing, swimming, fishing, sunning, or shopping is your pleasure, all are easily accessible from this luxurious Bonita Springs condominium.

Things to do in Panama City Beach

Our favorite things to do in PCB are the Beach (the turquoise waters are as beautiful as the Carribean), the new Pier Park is a mecca for shopping, dining and entertainment. Favorite restaurants are Salt Water Grill, Bonefish, Nunas Thai, and Lisa's. The Pirate Ship cruise is a must for families with children under 12. Kids are completely entertained for 2 hours while parents watch with no responsibilities. Well worth the money! And of course Golf. The Hombre golf course is home of the Southeast Regional Q School (qualifying competition for PGA Tour Card). Imagine our excitement to see Jack Nicholas in our backyard when his son Gary was qualifying.
Our Edgewater condos are among the nicest condos in the entire resort, consequently we have many repeat visitors. We live 5 minutes away and are available to help with any emergency, for instance, a 13 year old girl in our condo had a kidney stone attack in the middle of the night, we got out of bed, got her to the proper hospital and called our urologist in to see her.We often assist in activites and restaurant recommendations. We strive to give the personal touch to our guests, have excellent rates and often run SPECIALS.
Edgewater Beach Golf and Tennis Resort is still the only full service resort on the beach, with executive par 3 golf course, championship tennis courts, wonderful fitness center, extensive spa services, 12 pools, 3 hot tubs, Oceans restaurant and bar for inside or outside dining, Pizza Hut, Edgies and of course StarBucks.

Panama City Beach Changing?

Panama city beach is undergoing a tremendous change. Having been going there since my high school and college days, it has been interesting to watch these changes as a property owner. It is returning more and more to the family vacation place it once was. The restaurant selection has just exploded. If you are looking for great seafood, The Saltwater Grille has "become the “in” place to dine on Panama City Beach." A 25,000 gallon aquarium sits right in the middle of the room, and the seafood/steak selection fantastic! In looking for an after dinner cocktail, there is no better place than Margaritaville PCB down on front beach road. Lots of lively music and cold drinks.

I am an avid saltwater fisherman, so I usually try to take 3 or 4 trips when in town. Lots of good captains to choose from, but my friend Bubba Lang is who I go with. His boat is right over in the lagoon and he catches plenty of fish. After a hard day on the water, nothing tastes better than a cold beer and a dozen oysters. The Captains Table in St. Andrews is the only place to go for that. Mitch, the owner, is a great guy and he has great food. With the way Panama City Beach is growing, the choices for food and entertainment will grow as well. Still, there is no substitute after a great day at the beach, for a cold cocktail and watching the sunset from the beach. Shoes are optional.

While we are in Panama City we are close to everything! Our Summit vacation rental is located on the 7th floor, above the swimming pools. The condo balcony is a perfect place to relax and watch the sunset.