Welcome, t will online HOMESTYLE magazine tha To the first edition of our monthly , those ential information to home buyers supplement LIFESTYLE with ess Tunisia. looking to rent or even holiday in by all that could benefit by being seen If you have a business or service website then please contact us at our readers and world wide on our more tion, or check out our website for info@livetunisia.net without obliga information. magaas for future editorials within the If you have any suggestions or ide editor at mag@livetunisia.net zine please contact our features
The Editor
Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy and legality, the Publisher accepts no liability or responsibility for the material published herein, the views of our contributors are not necessarily the views of the Editor. The Publisher further accepts no liability or responsibility for errors in content or quality that occur beyond all reasonable control of the Editor. The contents of this publication are the property of the publisher and nothing may be reproduced, stored in a retrival system or transmitted in any form without express permission in writing from the editor.
Homestyle Magazine Published by: - LiveTunisia.com Information & Sales : - info@livetunisia.net Homestyle Tunisia
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contents FEATURES 06
6 Key Factors Successful Vacation Rental Owners Always Use
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5 Features to Look for when Choosing a Property Rental Service
BUSINESS 14
october 2009 07
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Directory
INFORMATION 18
Map
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Useful information
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livetunisia.com
Homestyle Tunisia
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feature
6 Key Factors
If you are going to spend money advertising your vacation rental property on vacation rental websites, you want to make sure it is a success. Here are 6 things you can practice which will help ensure you receive the most exposure for your money. 1. SET RENTAL RATES APPROPRIATELY
2. CHECK E-MAIL REGULARLY
If you want your vacation property to rent, you must be realistic, optomistic, but not greedy! Set realistic rental rates for your property and ensure that the rates are correct on the site your listing on and regularly reviewed as the market changes. Search for comparable properties in the same location as yours. Only charge a premium if your property has some distinct features. Be willing to discount your property on occassion as needed. In this business, if you lose money for a week long rental, you can't make that up!
When using an internet vacation rental property website such as www.tunisiahomesdirect.com, remember your users. They are typically Internet "savvy" and probably check their e-mails frequently...especially if they have requested some info. Also, be sure your phone number is listed on sites that allow you to as sometimes people choose to just call you directly, so be sure to check phone messages.
3. RESPOND IMMEDIATELY Vacation goers usually see a few properties that are of interest to them and then contact those owners. The faster you respond, the better chance (most of the time) you have of winning them over. A timely and efficient response gives the renter confidence that the rental experience will follow suit.
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Homestyle Tunisia
Successful Vacation Rental Owners Always Use
4. YOUR LISTING SHOULD BE ACCURATE AND COMPLETE Be sure that your listing details are kept up to date and are complete. Review your online listing frequently to be sure that your contact information is up-todate. Also, be sure that it is accurate on the description of your property and its amenities. This will help you with repeat customers, but will also keep you out of trouble with rental contracts or laws in regards to such things.
feature 5. GREAT PHOTOS It is true what they say, "a picture speaks a thousand words". Remember, renters are considering staying at your rental based (most of the time) solely on your pictures and your word. The more pictures to help them be comfortable with the decision, the better. Be sure to have pictures of your rental amenities such as a pool, the beach, a sea view, the lake or a golf course - these are top vacation rental sellers!
6. BOOST YOUR EXPOSURE There are many "hot spots" for vacationers throughout the world, and many thousands of vacation rental properties in them. In areas like this, boost your exposure by using the most popular sites with a built-in price / area search engine. If it costs you a little more to do so, but that gets you one extra rental a year, that makes it more than worth it.
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Homestyle Tunisia
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5 Features to Look For
If you're thinking of using a property management service for your Tunisia holiday rental or apartment for rent, there are some key features you should look for before making a commitment. You'll want the best possible service while also earning maximum profits for your vacation rental. Here are five major features every property rental service should offer. 1. Excellent Customer Service
2. Cleaning Management
Your guests will remember you by the service they receive during their stay at your villa rental, apartment or vacation rental. The property rental service you choose should offer excellent customer service and be able to provide testimonials from satisfied property owners. Your guests should arrive to a clean villa, home or apartment.
A property rental service should provide reliable cleaning management. You might live too far away to handle cleaning or manage the service.
If renting for a vacation, golf holiday or some other Tunisian holiday, each guest should receive a welcome packet including directions to the rental property as well as helpful information about the surrounding area. If you have an apartment for rent, tenants should be treated well. Rental payment collection, service maintenance and assistance with local utility and phone setups should be provided with friendliness and thoroughness.
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Homestyle Tunisia
If you live in the UK or Europe, but your vacation rental or apartment for rent is located in Hammamet, Kantaoui, Sousse, or Monastir, then you'll need a property rental service that will handle cleaning with care. For holiday rentals and villa rentals, cleaning must be provided between each guests' stay and sometimes during the week of a stay as well. For vacation homes and villas, the outside space must be maintained as well. Be sure this is included with your service.
When Choosing a Property Management Service
3. Key Holding, Inventory, and Detailed Necessities You may not be able to handle local errands for your vacation rental or apartment for rent. Therefore, the property rental service should be entrusted with these tasks. Some necessities to keep the rental property operating legally include key holding, insurance, property tax, building permits or licensing, bank account management, phone and utility set up and billing, etc. Another area of importance is inventory. The furniture and other valuables in your apartment or villa rental must be kept on an inventory list and checked physically each time a guest departs.
If you live in another country but own rental property in an area of Tunisia such as the Gulf of Hammamet or any other area, then obviously you're going to need someone locally who can check your inventory for you. Choose a property rental service that provides these types of services to eliminate worries while you're away. Homestyle Tunisia
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feature 4. Building Refurbishing and Major Repairs Another feature to look for in a property rental service is whether or not they provide building refurbishing services and major repairs. The benefit of this is the provider will already have contacts to do the jobs needed. You won't have to spend endless hours trying to find a dependable contractor or handyman. 5. Promoting Your Apartment or Tunisia Holiday Rental Check to be sure the property rental service will promote your apartment for rent or holiday rental. Promotions will increase your number of rentals and profits each year. A property rental service may handle your advertising in local, national and international venues. If they have a website, they may promote your holiday rentals at the site. If you own a vacation rental near golf courses, then make sure they will advertise your rental from the angle of "golf holidays." Keep these features in mind during your search for a property rental service. By choosing a service with great features, you'll have peace of mind knowing that your holiday rental or apartment for rent is in good hands!
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Homestyle Tunisia
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GET TO KNOW TUNISIA
Tunisia is situated on the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, bordered by Algeria in the west and Libya in the south-east. An abrupt southern turn of its shoreline gives Tunisia two faces on the Mediterranean with a coastline 1,148 kilometres in length. Despite its relatively small size, Tunisia has great geographical and climatic diversity. An extension of the Atlas Mountains, traverses Tunisia in the north to the Cape Bon peninsula. The Sahil is along Tunisia's eastern Mediterranean coast famous for its olive groves and beaches. Inland from the Sahil are the Steppes. Much of the southern region is semi-arid and desert leading into the Sahara.
information Tunisia is made up of 24 Governates (administrative regions) These are : - (1) Ariana (Aryana), (2) Beja (Baja), (3) Ben Arous (Bin 'Arus), (4) Bizerte (Banzart), (5) Gabes (Gabis), (6) Gafsa (Gafsah), (7) Jendouba (Jandouba), (8) Kairouan (Al Qayrawan), (9) Kasserine (Gasryn), (10) Kebili (Guebilli), (11) El Kef (El Kaf), (12) Mahdia (Al Mahdiya), (13) Mannouba (Mannouba), (14) Medenine (Midnin), (15) Monastir (Munastir), (16) Nabeul (Nabul), (17) Sfax (Safaqis), (18) Sidi BouZid (Sidi BouZid), (19) Siliana (Siliana), (20) Sousse (Soussa), (21) Tataouine (Tatawin), (22) Tozeur (Touzer), (23) Tunis, (24) Zaghouan (Zaghwen) Official languages Arabic, French Government Republic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (Independence from France 1956) Area - Total 163,610 km2 Population - 2008 estimate 10,327,800 Currency Tunisian dinar (TND) Exchange Rates (1st Aug 2009) 1.00 EUR = 1.87258 TND 1.00 GBP = 2.21396 TND Time zone CET (UTC+1) Driving on the right Electricity European-style two pin plugs on 230 volts, 50Hz Internet TLD .tn
Important Telephone Numbers International Dialling code + 216 Dial 00 + 216 + City/Area Code + Local Number To make a call from Tunisia you will need dial 00 + Country Code British Embassy Rue du Lac Windermere Les Berges du Lac, Tunis 1053 Telephone: (216) 71 108 749 Emergency Telephone Numbers 197 - Police 190 - Ambulance 198 - Fire Brigade Homestyle Tunisia
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