<p>We have power strips in each bedroom, wireless internet and an Idock in the master…and an Ipod connector to the surround sound in the great room.</p>
<p>Did I also mention we put a vase of flowers in the entryway–and if we have left overs we will put vases of flowers in the bedrooms.</p>
<p>Again, we have a higher end rental so we try to add those extra touches that make people feel welcome.</p>
<p>dmd77–Thanks, checking them out now!</p>
<p>Lots of good information has been covered here, but just had to throw in my own experience. We own a beach house that we rented out the first season we owned it. We had a great rental agent and a good caretaker, but still, it was a harrowing experience. Since we had several parties who stayed at the house back-to-back, it was really impossible to determine who caused the damages. </p>
<p>We had people who misrepresented the number of guests and their ages-- for instance, a couple in their 70’s who rented for a week and then called in a panic the say “the baby” (what baby??) was locked in the bathroom. There was someone who totally rearranged everything (dishes, utensils, pots & pans, etc.) in the kitchen. Who does this stuff? And we had things stolen (my husband’s tools, among other things.) Our furniture is not fancy, but we arrived after all the renters to find the couch covered in little chocolate handprints. We ask renters to empty the fridge upon departure of all perishable food, however this was not done, leaving me to do it myself (and it was quite a chore, since this area has very stringent recycling rules.)</p>
<p>So, while I hope that your experience will not be the same as mine, be forewarned. You really cannot get emotionally attached to anything in the house for the rental situation to work for you, because inevitably, things will get damaged and disappear. Needless to say, we no longer rent.</p>
<p>Our rental had denim slip covered furniture…it was wonderful because every season I would take the slip covers off and wash them. Our rental was always booked even though the ones around us were not. I did spend several hundred dollars extra to outfit the kitchen with practically anything someone would need. Stoneware, pasta dishes, blender, toaster, toaster oven, a variety of pots and pans, etc…as a result we ended up renting to families. I also used old snowshoes, wooden skis, real horseshoes, etc as decorative items…it was a mountain house…similar in size to what you are building…we had a finished basement. People loved it…it was nicely decorated but comfortable and casual…we just sold it last year in a down market, got asking price. We call it our memory house, we miss it but the proceeds are paying for two private educations.</p>
<p>*We have power strips in each bedroom, wireless internet and an Idock in the master…</p>
<p>and an Ipod connector to the surround sound in the great room.*</p>
<p>Both are good ideas. Hadn’t thought about the iPod connection. </p>
<p>I’ve gone online to see what others in the same area are offering in their short-term rentals. I’m shocked to see a few One Bedrooms saying that they can sleep 10 or more. LOL What? And with only one Bathroom? Oh my! What are they doing? Lining up bunk beds like an old dormitory??? </p>
<p>But, I am scouring over all the online interior/exterior pictures and their lists of what their places contain. One home (really a mansion) was unbelievable…lol. But most are 2-3 BR places, so I’m getting good info on cleaning charges, weekend/week rates for popular times, etc. </p>
<p>I did notice that a number said that they won’t rent to those under Age 24 (children in the family are ok, but they aren’t going to rent to a bunch of college kids).</p>
<p>Wow, MomofBoston…you provided everything. I just don’t see people doing a whole bunch of cooking in our rental. Breakfast, yes, Soup/Sandwich lunches, yes, but not many full dinners. There are just too many “good local” places to eat of all prices and the activities will mostly take place away from the rental. </p>
<p>Momo…Yes, we fully expect people won’t always tell us the accurate number of people staying. I think that goes with the territory of these kinds of rentals.</p>
<h2>1. I’ve been in houses where the couch and armchairs are clearly chosen for the convenience of those who want to lean back and watch tv, or where they are those overly deep (from front to back) cushions that leave your legs dangling and not quite touching the floor. I don’t find either comfortable, and really appreciate houses where there is at least one armchair set up for the convenience of readers. (Back not canted way back, arms not too high to make holding a book or laptop uncomfortable, good light for reading.)</h2>
<p>Would a recliner with a side table and lamp be OK?</p>
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<h2>2. We live in a connected world, and charging up devices is the reality. If the kitchen has a place where it is logical to charge cell phones, laptops, … that is not in the middle of the food prep/eating area, with easily accessible plugs, that is great. Ditto on the master bedroom. Being able to charge multiple devices is helpful – but the standard two up sockets don’t handle two apple-style chargers, for example.</h2>
<p>Glad you reminded me of that. Yes, we need to make sure that there are adequate outlets and a place for recharging. When we built our present home, I think our builder thought I was nuts by insisting that there be so many outlets, and many of our outlets are quad style. That was before all the iPads, etc, but there were still lots of other electronics that needed to be plugged in. </p>
<p>Oh, yes, many plugs these days are FAT and can’t be placed near other plugs. </p>
<p>I think that the kitchen will need to have a built in desk area where such a charging station could be.</p>
<p>In terms of upholstery, we just put leather into a rental we have, and it now has stains. We have other patterned cloth furniture that has weathered renters much better. We also had good luck with Pottery Barn for things like a TV stand. We have stone floors in the entryway and berber carpet other places. That’s worn pretty well. We have granite kitchen counters and they’ve done fine. It’s the appliances that people seem to be hard on.</p>
<p>In terms of upholstery, we just put leather into a rental we have, and it now has stains. </p>
<p>---- Was the leather light in color? I was thinking of using a dark color, maybe even black leather. I wonder if there’s something you can rub into the leather to make it more durable/stain/water resistant?</p>
<p>=================
We have other patterned cloth furniture that has weathered renters much better. </p>
<p>----- When we ordered sofas for our family room, the salesperson demonstrated how durable the fabric was by rubbing it with the rough side of his car keys. It was amazing. It has held up very well and I would consider something like that IF I could be certain that people wouldn’t allow pets to sit on it. Pet smells are really hard to get out of cloth furniture. </p>
<p>============
We also had good luck with Pottery Barn for things like a TV stand. We have stone floors in the entryway and berber carpet other places. That’s worn pretty well. We have granite kitchen counters and they’ve done fine. It’s the appliances that people seem to be hard on.</p>
<p>---------I’ll add Pottery Barn to my “go to” places. Yes, berber carpet can really take “wear and tear”…I’m really more concerned about carpet and pet accidents. I will request that people either crate their pets at night or when they leave their pet alone in the house or to put the pet outside in the fenced yard. I will even provide a crate if necessary. </p>
<p>================</p>
<p>------Re: appliances. Are they breaking them because they don’t know how to use them properly? or are they not cleaning after use? </p>
<p>-------For those who provide BBQs…Are the renters expected to clean the BBQ after use? Or is that figured into the cleaning bill?</p>
<p>One rental house I saw online had the option of getting the kitchen “stocked” with some essentials upon arrival. It was a $100 fee and they stocked beer, soda, coffee, and assorted breakfast items. I thought that was a nice idea for people arriving later in the day.</p>
<p>The leather is sort of fawn colored. Maybe synthetic, like naugahyde is the way to go. </p>
<p>We don’t allow pets, so that’s not an issue. Our setup is such that the management company comes in a cleans after each rental. I think you’ll set yourself up for disappointment if you expect people on vacation using somebody else’s stuff to clean it well.</p>
<p>Your cleaning fee ought to be enough to cover a really thorough kitchen and bathroom cleaning, imo, including tossing anything left in the fridge, tossing old ice cubes (and setting up for new ones if it is a manual ice tray situation), and giving the bathrooms a good scrub down. I give all my appliances a thorough wipe down every week, even though I clean as I go when cooking. Other areas may just need a good dusting and vacuuming, but kitchens and bathrooms need more. </p>
<p>I think that a recliner with a nearby light would be much appreciated by readers.</p>
<p>One rental house I saw online had the option of getting the kitchen “stocked” with some essentials upon arrival. It was a $100 fee and they stocked beer, soda, coffee, and assorted breakfast items. I thought that was a nice idea for people arriving later in the day.</p>
<p>I like that! Yes, when you arrive late in the day, who wants to run out and pick up some basic essentials!</p>
<p>I’ve added a twist to this situation. I decided to sell one of my other rentals. I’m still going ahead with the build of this project, but I’m also buying a condo in the same area. On Thursday, my realtor contacted me about this condo because it’s new (about 1 year old), great location, and the owners are leaving most of the furnishings! Yeah about that! </p>
<p>The place is spotless, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, 3 flatscreens, glass-topped furniture, washer and dryer, kitchen table/chairs, bar stools, desk, dressers, end tables, coffee table, 2 nice sofas, etc. They left several appliances, a vacuum, a BBQ (that I’d replace), etc. </p>
<p>All I’d have to buy are mattresses, and some kitchenware. I’m going to put a Queen in the Master (I don’t think it’s big enough for a King without being too tight. I found a bunk bed with a full-size mattress on the bottom and a twin on the top. I’ll put that in the secondary bedroom. That room could sleep up to 3 kids, potentially. </p>
<p>They took what they could fit in a Uhaul and left the rest. lol. There are no liens on the property except the mortgage (which was an initial concern since they left so much stuff.)</p>
<p>It’s on the first floor which is a biggie for those who don’t want to deal with steps and has a fabulous clubhouse, pools, exercise room, tanning beds, etc.</p>
<p>Well…that sure made it easier for you!!</p>
<p>Well, for that place, but still have all the work ahead for the one we’re still building. lol </p>
<p>But, I think this one, since we’ll have possession within a short time, will be “good practice” for the one we’re building. the one were building won’t be completed until sometime in the fall. and…we can use the condo to stay in ourselves while “checking” on the progress of the one in construction. :)</p>
<p>"…great idea about the combo lock. Wish the numbers could changed remotely. " - Perhaps the cleaners could arrange new combos as needed. </p>
<p>Good idea to skip gas stove. It’s really easy to lay a hot mitt too close to the flames, especially if not accustomed to cooking with gas.</p>
<p>For BBQ, I like the idea (if you are still in planning stages) of propane line to the grill. Not sure if there are safety disadvantages. It just seems like it would be handy if you and the renters don’t need to worry about filling the propane bottle.</p>
<p>Yes…considering the direct line.</p>
<p>Now, I have another issue. The house will be finished around Christmas ( I hope). </p>
<p>Over the weekend, I bought a condo in the same area. That’s going to close in mid June (I think the paperwork said the 11th.) </p>
<p>So, that one will be available for short-term renters very soon. </p>
<p>This was a very good deal as the sellers let us buy it with everything in it. lol I only have to buy mattresses, linens, and a few kitchen items to make matched sets. Yesterday, I took advantage of LandsEnds’ 20% extra discount and free shipping, and have a bunch of linens, bath rugs, etc on their way. </p>
<p>So, now I’m pressed to find the right kind of contract for short-term rentals. Sokkermom and others in this situation…what do you use?</p>