Pretty Picky Properties Blog

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...

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...

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...

First, understand that pets are not a protected class under the Fair Housing Act. You can advertise “Pets Considered,” then decide case by case, yea or nay. You can rent one week to a family with a six-pound, well trained Pomeranian, then just say “No” to the group with the twin Palominos. Totally your call.

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...

Recycling Helps Recycle Guests. You might be surprised how often we hear the frustration of rental guests when they stay at homes that do not offer recycling. They are in the habit of recycling, they feel it’s the right thing to do, and they feel very uncomfortable throwing recyclable items into the trash. So, if you don’t offer recycling at your rental property, we urge you to reconsider. Sure, it’s good for the planet, but you have another important motivation: making guests happy so they will book your property again next year.

Homeowner tips for booking rentals in the off-season

“How come I can go through the rest of the year without a single repair issue at my house, but as soon as the rental season arrives, things start to go wrong?”   I have heard that lament from many an owner during Cape Cod rental season, and as an owner myself, I feel their pain.   A lot of owners blame guest abuse for some of the problems that...

Looks like summer is lingering on the Cape.  Time to get away for a week or a long weekend and experience a truly select home for a fraction of the peak summer rental rate.  All with uncrowded roads, beaches and restaurants, many of which are also offering off-season menu pricing. It’s not too late to enjoy the Cape in 2015

If you know families who haven’t gotten around to reserving their Cape summer vacations yet, please tell them it’s not too late! Yes, the improving economy has led more people to book with confidence this year. And yes, Pretty Picky’s select properties are the most sought after and tend to book faster and earlier than most. But you’ll be amazed by the fine selection of prime properties and choice summer...