Regardless of your location or background as a vacation rental property owner, there’s one thing you all have in common: the drive for more 5-star ratings. A 5-star rating can boost your bookings and lead to more referrals, and one of the best ways to improve your chances of getting this thumbs up from your tenant is by keeping your oasis spotless. Whether you’re currently renting out an apartment in Scottsdale or renting a home in Kansas City with plans of managing more properties for other homeowners or you plan on buying a home in Albuquerque to use as a vacation rental, there are some key vacation rental cleaning tips that can help you with getting more 5-star reviews.
To help you in taking your cleanliness to the next level, Redfin reached out to several successful property owners to compile a list of seven vacation rental cleaning tips to help you in your cleanliness journey. Read on to learn more.
1. Take the extra time to clean and it will pay dividends
“Based on a study we conducted with short-term rental managers and vacation rental management companies across the United States, there’s a 91% chance guests will leave a 5-star rating if the vacation rental is exceptionally clean, well-organized, and inviting upon arrival. However, if it’s not, there’s a 98% chance guests will rate their stay 4.5 stars or lower.
Guests who leave 5-star reviews are more likely to book again, share their experience on social media, and refer your property to friends and family.
This creates a flywheel effect that boosts your visibility on Airbnb:
- Positive first impressions lead to 5-star ratings
- 5-star ratings lead to referrals
- Referrals lead to more listing views
- More views lead to wishlist saves
- Wishlist saves (and 5-star ratings) lead to higher rankings
- Higher rankings lead to more bookings
Investing extra time for spot-checks after each clean and adding thoughtful touches — like fluffed pillows, fresh flowers, and a welcome basket — creates a…