Pretty Picky Properties Blog

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,...

Out of the approximately 120 properties we represent and manage for summer rentals, about 88% of the owners schedule their weekly turnovers on Saturday. Most rental guests much prefer a weekend day to start and end their Cape Cod vacation, and most of them prefer Saturday, because when they return home, it gives them an extra day to unpack, do the laundry, re-acclimate, and relax before starting the new school...

Vacationers will have plenty of questions to ask you about your Cape Cod vacation property and rental procedures, you can bet. Well, it’s a two way street. It’s every bit as important that the prospective rental guest answer the following questions so you know you’ve found a good fit for your property and the vacation experience you know that it delivers. Obviously, you’ll ask how many guests in their party,...

Let’s face it, you love that Cape property of yours. You love spending time there. And you love that it can also make a nice income for you, thanks to summer Cape Cod summer vacation rentals. But before your vision gets too clouded by dollar signs, let’s get realistic about rates. We know it can be hard to be objective, but you have to look at renting your home like...

Unlike most of the rest of the vacation rental world, Cape Cod owners, for the most part, do not furnish vacation rental bedding and towels for rental guests. Vacationers either bring their own or rent them so they are at the property when the group arrives.  Naturally, most guests would love to find fresh linens ready to use when they start their vacation. So why don’t more owners throw in...

Peak Summer Weekly Rates: $15,900 – $16,900   What rental guests like most about this property: Large estate accommodates groups up to 20 Desirable North Chatham location, one mile from Chatham Center Private 300-foot beach Stunning views and beach walks Seven bedrooms, five bathrooms Spacious inside and out Two full kitchens, two laundries, four common areas Kayaks provided   Find out more

New Listing for 2017! Peak Weeks: $4,500 – $4,800  What rental guests like most about this property: Large pool and spacious, private patio with plenty of seating Short walk to Long Pond beach 5-10 minute drive to Bay or Sound beaches Easy access to restaurants, supermarkets, shops, golf, CCBL baseball Light and bright with appealing furnishings and decor Sleeps eight in four bedrooms, two and a half baths Find out...