Orlando is a popular tourist destination, which is why buying a second home to use as a vacation rental can be a lucrative investment. Many people advertise their homes in websites like FlipKey, HomeAway and VRBO. That makes it important for you to create a compelling description so your short-term rental property stands out from the competition.
Here are a few top tips to follow so you have the best chance of renting your home consistently.
Put your guest first
When you sit down to write the description, put yourself in your guest’s shoes. What would they want to know most about your property? Your goal is to provide key information about your home and give the reader a sense of what it’s like to live there. Focus on the features that would appeal most to a holiday traveler. And include the things that you love about your home too.
Write an enticing headline
The headline’s job is to grab the reader’s attention. This is the area where you should spend a lot of time. It’s important to be descriptive and specific. Read this article for headline tips:
How to Write a Headline that Attracts Rental Guests
Outline your main ideas
Once you’ve thought about your home’s features, make a rough outline that lists the points you might include in the description. Don’t worry about writing complete sentences at this point, or even deal with grammar, punctuation and spelling. The goal is to let your ideas flow, and list your home’s most notable features as quickly as you can.
Write a first draft
Now that you have your ideas on paper, it’s time to write that first draft. Imagine someone asking you, “What’s your home like?” Your first draft should be written as an answer to that question. The description should explain what you like about living in the home and why it’s the perfect place for them to stay while on holiday.
Revise your draft
Read through your first draft and look for areas to improve. Make sure you use the active voice in your sentences. Rather than saying, “Our heated spa is a great way to relax after a long day at Disney,” make the sentence more active and direct. For example: “You’ll appreciate soaking in the massaging action of the heated spa after a long day at Disney.”
Readers tend to scan web content quickly, so it’s to your advantage to use short sentences and short paragraphs. Use adjectives with care. Not everyone uses words like “spacious,” “cozy” and “comfortable” the same way.
It’s also important to be truthful in your description. You don’t have to emphasize your home’s less desirable features. But omitting important details can anger your guests and prompt them to leave an unfavorable review. Being honest from the outset is your best course of action.
Polish your draft before posting
Once you’ve revised your description a few times, give it to a friend to proofread for spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors. It’s common for you to miss something that stands out clearly to someone who hasn’t seen the material before. Once you’re satisfied, you can post the description on your vacation rental listing.
Are you looking for an Orlando vacation home to purchase? Contact Team Donovan at 407-705-2616 for help. We specialize in the purchase of second homes for use as a rental property. We can help you find the perfect property near Disney.
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