Making your Marbella holiday rental property a success

In the first part of this article, we explained the main elements of holiday property rental in Marbella and the Costa del Sol – what is required and how if done properly it can not only cover the costs of owning and maintaining the home, but also earn you income. In this second part of the article, we look at the details that make the difference between success and inconvenience.

If you own a holiday home in Marbella that you only use for part of the year and wish to rent to during the remaining weeks and months, it is important to orientate yourself first and find out how the market works. The best way to do this is to inform yourself through articles and reports of the kind you are reading now, as well as speaking with both professionals and homeowners who have practical experience in the field. It is from this combination of facts and opinions that you will build a picture of how you would like to approach what can be a highly rewarding optimising of your Marbella asset.

Preparing your property for the market

Some people think the process is as simple as advertising your holiday home and counting the money, but unfortunately that is not the case. Indeed, it is seldom the case, regardless of the business enterprise or sector. Your property will be one of many that is available for rent in the market, so in order to achieve the highest possible rental rates and occupancy levels – i.e. to earn you the most income – it has to be properly and attractively presented. When we visit a potential holiday rentals property for the first time, we look for the following points:

• A good location – holidaymakers want to be close to beaches, golf, views and amenities
• A well-maintained property – the home has to be in good condition technically and aesthetically
• Décor – the furniture doesn’t have to be expensive or luxurious, but it should be modern, comfortable and attractive
• Equipment – when you rent out a property short-term it is required by law to provide a fixed set of bedding, towels, kitchen appliances and practical utensils, as well as a first aid kit, Wi-Fi connection and tourist information, but we look beyond that to ensure that the home really does offer what we would all want and need when on vacation
• Amenities – these are not a must-have requirement, but it stands to reason that the better the parking and greenery, privacy, views and especially such leisure amenities as a swimming pool, tennis/paddle courts, etc, the more you can charge and the more in-demand your property will be

These five elements form the basis of any rental property assessment we make, and if a home falls short of any of the above requirements we offer clear and honest advice aimed purely at helping to achieve the best prices and occupancy rates. This is based upon the many years of experience that also enables us to not only offer advice but also practical support – from decluttering and decoration to equipping and the marketing and presentation of the property.

There may be a small investment involved in getting your holiday home ready for renting, but not only will you earn it back – it also adds to the value of your property. Once ready for the market, the responsibility shifts to a property rentals specialist such as Esenzia, which knows how to market and present the home with professional descriptions and attractive imagery, as well as having the marketing channels required to ensure high occupancy rates.

Security

If working with a company such as Esenzia offers you income along with convenience – we can even manage the utilities and maintenance of your home for you so that it is always in perfect condition when you want to use it – there is also the element of security.

We have procedures in place to vet guests before any booking is confirmed, and we maintain personal contact with them when they are here – as part of our service to them, but also as part of our service to you, the homeowner. This means we are on top of the situation and also available to your guests whenever they need support or concierge services, but in addition it adds a personal element that works for all parties.

On top of this, Esenzia provides legal coverage in the event of any problems, offering the kind of specialised infrastructure, service and support that private homeowners and conventional real estate agents struggle to have. Search here for more reports, advice and articles on the dos and don’ts of successful holiday rentals in Marbella, or contact us directly for more information.