A Warm Welcome and Comfortable Stay S E T T I N G U P Y O U R S H O R T-T E R M R E N TA L By Nikki Luttmann, Seven Bee Interiors For Sandpoint Furniture, Carpet One and Selkirk Glass and Cabinets
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o many people are falling in love with our area and purchasing a second home here. If that is you, congratulations! If, instead, you are from here and decided to take advantage of this boom we are experiencing and rent out your home for short-term rentals (STRs), congratulations! If, like me, you just live here and don’t have a second home, still—congratulations! We live in a beautiful area that people love to visit. Setting up your property to rent, however, can be intimidating. I’ve worked on many rental properties, and the competition is fierce for the high-dollar rentals. Part of the issue is the pressure from social media. Rental companies and, indeed, renters, would like their vacation homes to be Instagram and Facebook worthy. They want a vacation home that comes with bragging rights. But how does one accomplish this and still account for the fact that items may be stolen, damaged, broken, misplaced or misused? When outfitting a short-term rental, the first thing I do is assess the surfaces. Anything worn, damaged or unsightly needs to be repaired or
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replaced ASAP. This goes for flooring, cabinetry, carpeting, countertops and all bathrooms and plumbing fixtures. I also look at heat sources and ventilation. It might be summertime swelter to us locals, but someone visiting from Arizona or Georgia might find our chilly summer nights a bit on the frigid side. Comfort is key. Ceiling fans and air conditioning must also be in good working order. If none exist, a good-quality floor or table fan is definitely a must—especially in bedrooms. All doors and windows must also be in good working order, with locks on bathroom doors, if possible. A fresh coat of paint is always appreciated, as are clean carpets, maintained fireplaces and appliances, a full kitchen—including cookware and basic spices. Towels and linens are a must, as are clean sheets and ultra-clean bedding. It should look and feel like a hotel but with a “homey” twist. Curb appeal is important as well. That first glimpse of the home when people pull up really begins their experience. If you do not live here full time, make sure that you have a landscaper or someone maintaining the lawn and front garden beds. Hot tubs are a plus, but of course, not
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