How to Rent Out Your Vacation Home By Owner

Marie R. Ferguson, an expert landlord of second home rentals, gives her advice on becoming a successful landlord. Many second home owners are renting their homes to help with their household expenses. With the real estate market on the down swing, it is becoming more difficult to sell their homes. Thereby, making renting their second homes more attractive and a good alternative.

(PRWEB) December 28, 2006 -- Marie R. Ferguson, an expert landlord of second home rentals, gives her advice on becoming a successful landlord. Many second home owners are renting their homes to help with their household expenses. With the real estate market on the down swing, it is becoming more difficult to sell their homes. Thereby, making renting their second homes more attractive and a good alternative.

1.Screen Your Renters: It is important to know as much as possible about the party that will be staying in your home. Find out as much as you about your potential renters. Ask lots of questions. The more you are informed, the better choices you will make.

2.Get References: Ask your renters if they ever rented in your area. Don't forget to check their references. If they do not have any from vacation homes they have rented, perhaps they can give you the name of their current or past landlord.

3.Security Deposits: Get a security deposit with enough value that your renter will want to keep your place clean and damage free. If there is enough at risk, they will not want to take any chances of losing it.

4.Rules Agreement: It is important to send a rules agreement for the renters to sign at the same time they are signing a renter's agreement. By doing this, they will know upfront what is expected of them. And, it gives them a way out if they don't agree with your expectations.

5.Advertising: The internet has the largest audience. You will eliminate the possibility of not collecting your rental fee if you advertise online with more advanced websites who are designed to assist you with online credit payments such as http://www.villa4vacation.com

6.Hire a House Keeper: There are several ways to finding the perfect house keeper. One of my favorites is to find a person who lives close to your property and is looking for a way to earn extra cash. Pay them well. After all they are protecting your investment. This will make it convenient when you find yourself needing someone to check up on your house because of the recent rain storm or to check on a window that someone may have left open.

7.Business Cards: A great way to spread the word around. Make personalized business cards and pass them around. Let your family and friends know that you are looking for good, qualified renters. To lower production costs create them on your computer and print them like a pro.

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As Seen in the Carroll County Independent Business Section December 2006 -
And, in the Valley Fun Guide:

"E-Book Helps Second Home Owners Earn Income" 

Marie Ferguson of Salem, Massachusetts and of Ossipee, New Hampshire enjoyed vacationing in the While Lakes area for many years which led her to the purchase of her vacation home in Ossipee.

Marie and her husband realized they could not use it all of the time which led to using it as a rental while they were not there to enjoy it.  Some of their neighbors noticed that Marie's unit was booked more often and at a higher rental rate.  They started asking lots of questions - trying to find out what she was doing to create such a desirable rental.  As Marie was helping others with their rentals, she realized there was a need for this information.  That is when she decided to write a book to help other homeowners rent their homes.  Her book is called, "Breaking all the Rules: How to Turn Your Vacation Home Into a Vacation Rental." It can be found at http://www.howtorentvacationhomes.com