Jim Decker, Author at Pretty Picky Home Rentals - Page 4 of 5
Chatham, Orleans, Eastham & Wellfleet Properties rent Fri-Fri during Summer Months
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Peak Summer Weekly Rates: $15,900 – $16,900

 

What rental guests like most about this property:

 

Find out more

New Listing for 2017!
Peak Weeks: $4,500 – $4,800

 What rental guests like most about this property:

Find out more at https://prettypicky.com/salt-water-pool-vacation-home-harwich-083-h

 

Shown above:

Nauset Beach Area, East Orleans
Sleeps 12
Peak Summer Weeks: $8,200 – $8,900

 

Every year we receive many requests from large groups such as multi-generational families and multiple families seeking Cape Cod rentals for large groups where they can all stay together.

And where resort-style amenities like a swimming pool keep everyone happy even when they’re not at the beach.

Until now, we had very few such resort/reunion style properties to offer. But sensing the need, we have been successful in identifying and listing a nice selection such properties for 2017.

So take heart, larger groups! Now there’s a good chance you can book that group vacation without voting anyone off the island!

Here’s more good news: Several of these resort/reunion properties have listed late and are available for rental for the first time. Those two factors mean rates will be lower now than in the future.

New construction and renovations are in progress at some others. Naturally, without photos of the entire finished product, rates are likely to be more attractive in 2017 than ever again.

So get your group on the same page for dates and get Picky for your 2017 summer vacation headquarters. You have some amazing options to choose from at prettypicky.com

 

119-C North Chatham Sleeps 16 Peak Summer Weeks: $13,500 - $13,900

North Chatham
Sleeps 16
Peak Summer Weeks: $13,500 – $13,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

023-O East Orleans Village Sleeps 16 Peak Summer Weeks: $12,500 - $14,000


East Orleans Village
Sleeps 16
Peak Summer Weeks: $12,500 – $14,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

009-O Nauset Inlet, Orleans Sleeps 16 Peak Summer Weeks: $15,900 - $16,900

Nauset Inlet, Orleans
Sleeps 16
Peak Summer Weeks: $15,900 – $16,900

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

https://prettypicky.com/waterview-orleans-private-resort-heated-pool-vacation-home-rental-009-o/

 

If you buy it, they will come.

Nothing you’ll ever do will bring your family together like owning a select property on Cape Cod. Family members will drive or even fly hours to spend quality time with you — or without you — at your beautiful Cape home. And if you want or need to generate good income from summer rentals, that can cause some issues.

For example:

Your cousin Ramona can’t tell you which week.

She and her family want to come, but like any family, they can’t be sure of their schedule. Little League might be over by that third week of July – but Sammy’s team might make the playoffs, you know?

Meanwhile, you’ve had rental inquiries from paying guests ready to book that week, but you can’t take the reservation. So those folks move on to a property where they can lock in their Cape vacation. If this scenario plays out long enough, you could be left with open weeks generating no income, when without the family indecision, you would have been fully booked for the summer.

Your niece Amanda left a small beach in her bedroom.

She must have hauled things back to the house every day – dozens of shells (some still occupied and becoming rather aromatic), stones, small driftwood, nests of seaweed, a couple milk jugs, a fishing lure and roughly 75 pounds of sand. Her parents knew you wanted her to have fun, and she did. And because they’re family, they really don’t feel obligated to pick up and clean up too much. That sticky spill in the freezer isn’t too bad, is it? Heck, you’ve got a cleaning service, right?

Whenever we see a week or two on the schedule for a property when family members are in occupancy, our antenna goes up. We alert the cleaning service that they may face a larger than normal challenge on the turnover day. And we have our own people standing by in case there’s a need for reinforcements.

Your sister Shirley can’t tell time.

Check out time at your property is 10 a.m. Let’s say the cleaning service arrives at 11:15 and there are still cars in the driveway.

“Oh,” they’re told, “we’re family, so we thought we’d stay through lunch. Can you come back later?”

As you can imagine, this sort of thing is more than a small problem for the cleaners. They barely have time to clean the multiple properties on their schedule, let alone turn the schedule upside down so they can “come back later.”
Then we get to explain to the arriving guests that the property isn’t going to be ready quite by 3 pm, which their lease stipulates. Very bad for business.

Of course you love your family. Of course you want to accommodate them and have them enjoy your Cape property as much as you do. But if you also rent, you really need to manage their expectations, making it crystal clear that:

You can’t wait forever to find out which week or weeks they’ll be staying there. You have to set a deadline and stick to it. So you can rent the other weeks in a timely fashion.

They have to behave like your paying guests and pick the place up when they depart. Your cleaning service can’t be expected to work miracles when a property is left in bad shape – just because it’s family.

They have to stick to the schedule and depart promptly by 10 am. Family or no family, there is still only a five-hour window for cleaning on a turnover day.

To be sure, managing your Cape Cod rentals around family occupancies, and frankly, some non-paying friends as well, is no piece of cake. If you’ve struggled with the challenge, you’ll probably appreciate what George Burns had to say about family:

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family. In another city.”

 

Nauset Beach Area, East Orleans Sleeps 12 Peak Summer Weeks: $8,200 - $8,900

Nauset Beach Area, East Orleans
Sleeps 12
Peak Summer Weeks: $8,200 – $8,900

 

North Chatham Sleeps 16 Peak Summer Weeks: $13,500 - $13,900

North Chatham
Sleeps 16
Peak Summer Weeks: $13,500 – $13,900

 

East Orleans Village Sleeps 16 Peak Summer Weeks: $12,500 - $14,000

East Orleans Village
Sleeps 16
Peak Summer Weeks: $12,500 – $14,000

 

Nauset Inlet, Orleans Sleeps 16 Peak Summer Weeks: $15,900 - $16,900

Nauset Inlet, Orleans
Sleeps 16
Peak Summer Weeks: $15,900 – $16,900

If you buy it, they will come.

Nothing you’ll ever do will bring your family together like owning a select property on Cape Cod. Family members will drive or even fly hours to spend quality time with you — or without you — at your beautiful Cape home. And if you want or need to generate good income from Cape Cod summer rentals, that can cause some issues.

For example:

Your cousin Ramona can’t tell you which week.

She and her family want to come, but like any family, they can’t be sure of their schedule. Little League might be over by that third week of July – but Sammy’s team might make the playoffs, you know?

Meanwhile, you’ve had rental inquiries from paying guests ready to book that week, but you can’t take the reservation. So those folks move on to a property where they can lock in their Cape vacation. If this scenario plays out long enough, you could be left with open weeks generating no income, when without the family indecision, you would have been fully booked for the summer.

Your niece Amanda left a small beach in her bedroom.

She must have hauled things back to the house every day – dozens of shells (some still occupied and becoming rather aromatic), stones, small driftwood, nests of seaweed, a couple milk jugs, a fishing lure and roughly 75 pounds of sand. Her parents knew you wanted her to have fun, and she did. And because they’re family, they really don’t feel obligated to pick up and clean up too much. That sticky spill in the freezer isn’t too bad, is it? Heck, you’ve got a cleaning service, right?

Whenever we see a week or two on the schedule for a property when family members are in occupancy, our antenna goes up. We alert the cleaning service that they may face a larger than normal challenge on the turnover day. And we have our own people standing by in case there’s a need for reinforcements.

Your sister Shirley can’t tell time.

Check out time at your property is 10 a.m. Let’s say the cleaning service arrives at 11:15 and there are still cars in the driveway.

“Oh,” they’re told, “we’re family, so we thought we’d stay through lunch. Can you come back later?”

As you can imagine, this sort of thing is more than a small problem for the cleaners. They barely have time to clean the multiple properties on their schedule, let alone turn the schedule upside down so they can “come back later.”
Then we get to explain to the arriving guests that the property isn’t going to be ready quite by 3 pm, which their lease stipulates. Very bad for business.

Of course you love your family. Of course you want to accommodate them and have them enjoy your Cape property as much as you do. But if you also rent, you really need to manage their expectations, making it crystal clear that:

You can’t wait forever to find out which week or weeks they’ll be staying there. You have to set a deadline and stick to it. So you can rent the other weeks in a timely fashion.

They have to behave like your paying guests and pick the place up when they depart. Your cleaning service can’t be expected to work miracles when a property is left in bad shape – just because it’s family.

They have to stick to the schedule and depart promptly by 10 am. Family or no family, there is still only a five-hour window for cleaning on a turnover day.

To be sure, managing your Cape Cod rentals around family occupancies, and frankly, some non-paying friends as well, is no piece of cake. If you’ve struggled with the challenge, you’ll probably appreciate what George Burns had to say about family:

“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family. In another city.”

Ben Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Sure, you can wait until April to repaint the kitchen or remodel the bathroom. Only problem is that’s when everyone else is doing the same thing. And that means the trades people you want for your project likely will be already booked until half-past July.

Same logic applies to outdoor upgrades and maintenance. It may be too early for exterior painting, but if the weather cooperates, there’s nothing to stop you from getting a jump on that landscaping overhaul or new deck you’ve been wanting to do.

Things you can schedule now to get ahead of the game for Cape Cod rental season:

It pays to be a clean freak – now, not later.
Are you assuming you will have the same cleaning service for your rental turnovers? You know what they say about people who “ass-u-me.”

What if your cleaning service gets fully booked for the season before you get around to making the call? What if your cleaner got an electrician’s license and is now in another line of work? What if your favorite cleaner went back to Brazil and can’t get back into the U.S.? (That actually happened to several of our owners). You don’t want to wait to find out you have a problem. Call and schedule your turnover day cleanings sooner than later, even if you don’t know all the dates yet. At least you’re on their radar and not lost in space.

And be sure to schedule a deep spring cleaning very close to your first guest arrival. Don’t skip this step, and don’t try to do it yourself. Have it done by professionals or brace yourself for rental guest complaints all season long.

Be smart, stay cool.
It feels unnatural to think about air conditioning in the dead of winter. But your vacation rental guests will be riveted on it the first sultry night of July. And that’s not the time to have it fail, since HVAC techs tend to get busy at that time of year, and your guests might have to sweat it out for days before getting relief. Not good for business. So schedule a tech service visit now for some time this spring, before the schedule fills up.

Spare guests from pests.
Here’s another thing you can schedule now: pest treatment for your rental property. Ants, spiders, mice and any number of nonpaying guests must be nipped in the bud before they become a problem next summer.
As usual, prevention costs less money and angst than the cure.

One back-up you don’t need,
When was the last time you had your septic system checked and pumped out? We recall one owner whose system had an alarm to warn of overflow, but the alarm sensor rusted off in the tank so the alarm didn’t work.
Rental guests detected a slight odor and fortunately, the problem was solved just in the nick. If another day or two had gone by and raw sewerage had overflowed into the yard, it’s likely the property would have been shut down for the rental season by the town.

That’s a lot of money to have to refund to guests, assuming they are willing to settle for a refund only. So make the call, schedule the service.

We know it’s not even spring yet, let alone summer. But nobody ever got in trouble by planning ahead. Mark these words of wisdom from Yogi Berra:

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.”

If you rent your Cape Cod property for family vacations, there’s nothing more important than having dependable, top notch cleaners doing their thing every turnover day. Professional vacation rental turnover cleaning is a marvel of skill and efficiency that never ceases to amaze.

But it’s not nearly enough.

Because there’s a pretty big gap between what cleaners can and will do on a turnover day, and what needs to be done to truly and thoroughly prepare a vacation home between departing and arriving rental guests.

Closing that gap can mean the difference between an outstanding guest experience and one that does not encourage booking again next year.

Just a few examples:

 

 

 

 

Will your cleaners check to be sure the lawn has been mowed on schedule and that weeds aren’t taking over your gardens? Will they make sure the trash and recycling containers have enough space left to get the arriving guests to the next pick-up day?

Some owners handle most or all of these turnover day checks themselves, or hire a property manager to do so. Or they work with us at Pretty Picky Properties, because we will dispatch a trained Pretty Picky “Detailer” to their property each turnover day to execute our Pretty Picky Property Prep Punch List, filling the gap between cleaning and complete property preparation.

 

OK, so you won’t be adding the heated, in-ground pool this year. But just because that’s not in the cards (or budget), what about these won’t-break-the-bank vacation rental upgrades rental guests tell us over and over they would most appreciate:

1. New Pillows
Seriously now, just how old are those pillows at your Cape home? If you can’t remember, that’s not a good sign. Can’t tell you how often we see very nicely appointed bedrooms with high appeal in every other way – except for the lifeless, lumpy and in some cases even musty smelling bed pillows. Let’s be honest: would you want to put your head down on them, even with a fresh pillow protector on there to hide the stains? Didn’t think so.

So no biggie. Shop online at places like wayfair.com or overstock.com, get some nice, fresh, fluffy micro-fiber (some folks are allergic to other fillers) pillows. And while you’re at it, get enough so that each bed has at least one or two extras. Those are for your guests who like to read in bed and one other reason: one or more pillows is likely to grow legs and walk out of there before the summer is over. So it’s wise to have extras on hand when one disappears.

2. Quality showerhead
Sure, it would be nice to renovate the entire shower with stunning tile and glass. But that’s expensive. And you know what your guests care most about – the quality of your showerhead. Which you can upgrade for not a lot of money. A strong, even flow is most important, and it’s also good if the user can adjust the direction and nature of the flow – from finer mist to pulsing massage. Also nice if you have a valve that can be used to shut off or minimize the water flow while sudsing up. That conserves water, too, of course.

The rain-style showerheads are most popular, as they provide broader coverage. Shop online, same suggestions as above.

You probably won’t need a plumber to swap out showerheads, but if you do call one in for that and other little issues (slow draining sinks, etc.), ask him to make sure the water pressure is as strong as it can be to the shower. Nobody likes standing around in the shower waiting for a weak dribble to rinse off everything.

3. New kitchen cookware, especially skillets.

You know how annoying it can be when everything you cook sticks like glue to your non-stick skillet! Or when the bottom of the fry pan has become so warped it either won’t sit level on the burner or becomes bowed in the center so your cooking oil collects only around the edges.
Turns out your summer rental guests are turned off by those same experiences.

A new set of non-stick cookware is not expensive. Don’t buy topline stuff – you’ll be replacing it again in a couple of years anyway. Wayfair and Overstock are good places to order kitchen items online.

While you’re at it, upgrade your flatware and general-use kitchen utensils, too, especially those plastic ones with the disintegrating edges. Small cost. Big impression.

4. New beach chairs
Why do most people vacation on Cape Cod? Right, because they love the beaches. What would most vacationers rather not have to pack for the trip?
Right, those bulky folding beach chairs.

If guests are paying the freight to be at your property on or within easy walking distance of a nice beach, you should provide them with some decent – translation: relatively new – beach chairs. We’ve seen many beautiful homes on the Cape equipped with nice new everything else, except for the rusty, ripped beach chairs in the garage.

Ideally, you’ll have as many beach chairs as guests you allow to occupy the property. If you sleep up to 12 or more, it’s probably a safe bet that some of those folks are younger children who don’t need and won’t use a beach chair if they had one. However, it’s also a nice touch to have a couple or three kiddie size beach chairs to go along with that nice and also reasonably new and in good shape collection of kids’ beach toys we know you’ll want to provide.

Not a bad idea to mark your beach chairs with your address in case they get left on the beach. That way, they are less likely to run away from home.

5. Upgrade anything they touch a lot.

Picture this. Your guests arrive, turn the key in the front door and grab the door knob or handle, which is old, stained, scratched or even a bit loose. That positive first impression you want to make just took a big hit.

Same insight applies to your other door hardware, faucet handles, towel racks and toilet tissue holders in your bathrooms – even the valve knobs on your gas grill.
Every time a guest touches one of these things, their take on your property is in play. And it doesn’t cost much to communicate quality at every turn.

We represent one small beach front cottage, where the owners replaced the typical plastic switch plates and outlet covers with oversized, stylish pewter plates and kitchen drawer and cabinet knobs with glass knobs, each with a unique color and nautical design. About $75 all in. You wouldn’t believe the number of positive guest comments on these seemingly insignificant features.

If it looks, and especially if it feels like high quality, then in your guest’s mind, it is.

“No smoking, no pets” is a common mantra for Pretty Picky owners.
Not renting to the Marlboro Man probably won’t cost you many bookings, but you might want to rethink barring those four-legged family members categorically.

Less than 10% of Pretty Picky Properties accept pets and almost never have a problem booking all summer weeks, often earlier than “No Pets” properties. That’s because probably 20 or even 25% of our inquiries have a Muffy in their vacation plan.
Of course, every dog owner says his dog never barks, never sheds and will never get up on the furniture. We had one dog’s master confide to us that his dog is so smart that he actually talks. The pup was indisposed, however, when we asked the guy to put him on the phone for a brief interview.

Not only does leaving the dog at a kennel during the family vacation cause separation anxiety, it costs some serious shekels. So families are motivated to find a rental home that accepts pets. Sometimes, they’ll pay extra for the privilege.

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Pet owners frequently will pay a higher security deposit to give you greater peace of mind. Fine, and let’s remember, every Pretty Picky guest signs up for damage protection insurance that pays up to $1,500 for accidental damage (even more in some cases) that might be caused by you-know-who.

There’s also nothing wrong with adding a special pet fee for any guest with four legs and a tail.

We have to admit that in our experience, the impact of a pet, including any damage or even extra dog hair for the turnover day cleaning, has been next to nothing. Pet owners are almost universally good about picking up after the pooch, and they understand that most beaches do not allow dogs at all in the peak summer season.

“Pets Considered” might be something for you to consider. It could mean booking weeks sooner, filling stubborn weeks, or even increasing your rental revenue a bit.

That is the question for many Lower Cape second homeowners. The potential income from a Cape Cod summer rental is thrilling, but the possible property impact is chilling. To arrive at the right answer for you, try answering a few easier questions first:

Will you perceive vacationing families as welcome guests in your home or a barely tolerable means of generating extra cash?

The owners who rent most successfully see themselves as gracious hosts who truly enjoy providing an extraordinary vacation experience for discriminating and appreciative families on summer vacation. For them, the rewards of renting are not merely financial.

Can you view your home through the eyes of a guest?
Here’s just one example: Maybe you’ve never felt the need for air conditioning. If you don’t have at least window units in the bedrooms today, it’s a deal breaker for easily 50% of your home’s prospective summer rental guests. If you expect to command your best rental rate and fill all your weeks, you need to offer what they’re looking for. It’s called marketing.

Are you willing to pay for a professional deep spring cleaning?

If you think you can save money by doing it yourself, you’re in for a rocky rental season – and so is your broker, who will be the first to field the complaints from your guests. Musty smelling kitchen cabinet shelf paper that hasn’t been changed since the Reagan Administration doesn’t fly. Portable electric fan blades coated with several seasons of fuzzy grime don’t make the cut. A thorough, professional, pre-season total house cleaning is a must. It sets the stage for a rental season with fewer headaches. Not to mention more repeat bookings for next summer.

Are you OK with stashing your stuff to create more space and less angst for your rental guests?

Sparse is a good thing. That very engaging display of one-of-a-kind Crimean War tin soldiers you love to show off is only an attractive nuisance to a mom on vacation with her 18-month-old toddler. She’d rather have another surface for the diaper bag. Roll up those pricey Oriental rugs and lock up your one-of-a-kind vases from the Chow Mein Dynasty. Instead, have fun decorating inexpensively for summer with a cheery, beachy look and feel. Low cost throw pillows, indoor/outdoor area rugs that can take a licking — heck, I’ve got three words for you: Christmas Tree Shops. So pack up and lock up (or toss) as much as you can – yes, even those superb Chewbacca mugs and Yaz plastic glasses on the top kitchen shelf. Your rental guests would rather have the extra space.

How will you feel about that water ring left on your coffee table?

If you’re going to rent, you can’t sweat the small stuff. When you do summer rentals, you’re running a small business that can gross up to $50,000 each season or more, depending on the property and its location. There will be the inevitable costs of doing business, including expected wear and tear. Vacationing families, if carefully recruited by your broker, are not careless slobs. Still, accidents happen. But if you expect to build repeat business from guests, you can’t expect to charge them for the cost and hassle of fixing a plugged toilet, a torn screen or a stain on Grandma’s beloved duvet. Which should have been locked away for safe keeping anyway.

Are you a summer rentals kind of owner?

For many, summer rentals are a pleasant part of owning a second home on the Cape, because they’ve mastered the art of doing rentals right. And the extra cash sure comes in handy! For others, rentals are something to be avoided like left turns in August. Which kind of owner are you?

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