Pretty Picky Properties Blog

It has nothing to do with climate change, but we notice a sea change on Cape Cod this spring – at least in the private home rental market for Cape Cod homeowners. There are just way too many prime weeks still open at this point in the booking season. We think it’s because there are just way more properties in play this year than ever before for rental guests to...

What’s the most important single room in your Cape Cod vacation rental when it comes to managing your summer rentals? You know it’s the kitchen. A big part of the reason so many people rent private homes like yours instead of staying at a resort is they get to prepare their own meals and save a pile of money on restaurant tabs. So the kitchen is absolutely key. Rather than...

There are families who will tell you they could care less whether they have TV In their Cape Cod rental property. But they are a decided minority. Most people want and expect to have television. For many, a vacation without TV would be more like a prison sentence. So do what the market wants — you need TV. Here are five things about rentals and TV you should know: It...

OK, so your Cape Cod property probably doesn’t actually have any broken windows per se. But what about that outdoor shower door that doesn’t latch right any more? Or that toilet in the half bath where you have to hold down the flush handle or the bowl won’t empty completely? Broken Windows, Broken Business is a business book by Michael Levine which has direct application to your summer vacation rentals...

First of all, if you’re going to rent, you can’t sweat the small stuff. How will you feel about that water ring left on your coffee table? 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,...

Your rental summer vacationers are generally good people who want to do the right things when they stay at your Cape Cod vacation property. As an owner/host, you need to do the right things to encourage them to behave as you hope they will. Create the conditions for success!   Share your expectations — in writing. Guests are not mind readers. Surely, you have specific guest guidelines for your property....

Why is Cape Cod such a popular family vacation destination? Basically, it’s the beaches. So if they’re coming for the beach, what can you do as an owner/host to enhance their Cape Cod beach vacation? Beach chairs are a must. If your property is directly on the beach, you may want to furnish those Adirondack-style resin chairs. They’re comfy, pretty durable with no parts to rust and seem to hold...

When your vacation rental guest sees a mouse or an ant in your house, you’ve got a problem. The guests want the pests gone, of course, but many guests, especially those with young children or pets, will not allow an exterminator anywhere near the place. You can offer them “green” products that are safe to use around children and pets, but it may be too little, too late.   That’s...

    So you fixed the running toilet, patched the torn screens, scheduled a professional deep spring cleaning and bought some new beach chairs to replace those old rusty ones. You’re all set for the vacation rental season, right?   Not if you haven’t taken the following property management safety issues into account:   Check your insurance. If you haven’t already, ask your insurance agent or carrier if your current...

We’re not talking about an inflatable kiddie pool. Or even a good sized above ground pool. We’re talking about a real Cape Cod rental with pool – in-ground, reasonably sized, ideally heated – with plenty of nicely landscaped and comfortably furnished outdoor living space around it. But wait a minute: We all know why people flock to the Cape each summer. Duh, it’s to go to the beautiful ocean beaches,...