Scared but excited!!!

[Linda Hart]

I bought a property on Eagle Mountain Lake(May), furnished it and listed it on VRBO and I have 4 bookings in less than 2 weeks.  I don't think I am quite ready,  so any advice is welcome!!  I am getting ready for my first renter 7/9.  PLEASE send good vibes that all goes well.  Here's hoping that I made the right decision! 

I know I need better pics.    Working on those (with a real photographer - not me and my iphone)... If there is anybody in the neighborhood, I would love to have a meetup to discuss the vacation rental biz.  I am working on my website and have recently just finished my welcome guide.    I kinda stole one from cottageblogger and modified it... because I am not very creative - but I think I did pretty good and I hope they don't mind I used their graphics :-) 

HOLY MOLY I AM ACTUALLY DOING IT... 

Regards everyone and here we go Summer 2017. 

[William Leahy]

@Linda Hart congratulations! Pictures will sell the deal. You did pretty good by my eye if you wanna dress them up a little more, do some more staging. Make it look like somebody is staying there and just stepped out of frame. Put some Texas BBQ on the table, a couple of margarita glasses and pitcher on the patio coffee table. If there is a particular food specialty  in your area, highlight it in photo and description. For example, I have a renowned bake shop near one of my places, I put some of their goodies  in my kitchen pics and captioned "delicious goodies from so and sos are right around the corner" 

You should up your response time (12 hrs is too long) and response rate 85% should be 100%. Have alerts forwarded via text to your cell phone. If your schedule doesn't allow you such flexibility answer a guest with a brief acknowledgement and get back to them ad promptly as you can.These things will all raise your listing rank. List on Airbnb it's free. If it's not big in your area now it will be and then you will be well ahead of the game. Please accept my observations as the constructive criticism that they are. I look forward to seeing your next triumph. Godspeed, Bill