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Emerald Isle Vacation Rentals: 5 Tips to Conquer Competition & Win Bookings

As a vacation rental owner in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, you’re part of a growing and competitive market. Nationally, short-term rentals are on the rise, and Emerald Isle is no exception. While occupancy rates are certainly climbing, so is the number of available properties. This increasing inventory means more options for guests and more competition for owners.

More than ever, it’s essential for your rental to stand out.

As an experienced property manager in Emerald Isle, we’ve seen countless rentals and interacted with numerous guests. We’ve noticed certain patterns that distinguish top-performing properties from the rest.

In sum: The key to success lies in making your rental property noticeable and appealing right from the start.

Are you wondering how to do so? This blog is for you. We’ll share five tips to help your property stand out from the competition and win more bookings in the Emerald Isle rental market.

Let’s jump right in!

1. Perceive Decor as an Investment, Not a Cost

Experienced property managers view interior design as an investment rather than a cost because it directly influences the attractiveness of your property and its potential revenue. In a crowded rental market, décor stands on par with price, location, and amenities.

Most people would prefer to book a place that looks nice and inspiring rather than a place that looks dull – even if that means paying a bit more for it. This is precisely what you should aim for.

Moreover, a good-looking rental will dramatically increase the likelihood of positive reviews after a guest checks out, leading to more bookings in the future. Here are some key tips to ace your decor game in Emerald Isle:

Beach-Themed Decor: Guests prefer decor that relates to the surroundings they are vacationing in. In Emerald Isle, it’s a great idea to emphasize coastal-nautical charm as a key selling point. Incorporate local craftsmanship and historical pieces to add character — this not only enhances your property but also supports local artists and artisans.
Furniture Mix: A rental with updated décor will always outperform one that looks dated. When choosing furniture, opt for sleek, modern pieces with textured, solid-colored, or subtly patterned fabrics to create a light and airy environment, perfect for beach settings.
Greenery: Scientific research shows that most people enjoy staying in places with touches of greenery. Therefore, integrating plants into your spaces is an excellent way to make guests feel good. In a beach setting, coastal species like palms, ferns, ficus, and cacti are perfect for adding a touch of nature indoors. Faux plants are also a viable option for low maintenance, as long as they look realistic and stay cleaned and dust-free.
Outdoor Spaces: Many owners take great care of their indoor spaces but neglect outdoor areas like backyards, sun decks, and porches. Outdoor areas should mirror the indoor style and be inviting enough for guests to enjoy the surroundings.

2. Pick Standout Amenities & Entertainment Tech

Another great investment to help you thrive in the competitive Emerald Isle market is the amenities you choose for your short-term rental. Good amenities can significantly enhance the guest experience, leading to positive reviews, repeat bookings, and higher occupancy rates.

Also, offering extra amenities can justify higher rental rates and improve overall revenue by making your property more attractive to potential guests. And with amenities, we also mean entertainment tech and gadgets that are essential for modern travelers.

Besides the basics, here are some of the amenities you should consider offering in your Emerald Isle rental:

Luxury Enhancements: Hot tubs, private pools, cinema rooms, outdoor furniture, beach gear (chairs, umbrellas, towels), gaming consoles, smart home devices (thermostat, locks).
Entertainment: Multicade machines, pool tables, air hockey, foosball, shuffleboards, board games, puzzles, and yard games.
Outdoor Spaces: Well-furnished patios, sun decks, porches that mirror indoor style, barbecue grills.
Tech Extras: Smart TVs with streaming services, digital guidebooks, EV chargers, responsive communication systems.

Good to know: Many guests will also filter their search based on amenities, and having a comprehensive list will make your property show up in more results.

3. Invest in Good Photos & Craft Good Listing Descriptions

Photos are the first thing people look at when analyzing short-term rental listings, and their judgment often takes only a split second. Good photos can capture attention and make your property stand out from the competition.

Properties with high-quality photos receive more views and clicks, leading to higher booking rates. Photos set expectations and help guests visualize their stay, making them more likely to book and help improve your search ranking on listing platforms. Here are some quick tips for taking amazing pics of your Emerald Isle rental:

Use a Hero Image: Choose a stunning and inviting photo as the hero image to grab attention. It should showcase the best features of your property, such as a view, a pool, or a stylish interior.
Natural Light: Take photos during the day with all windows and curtains open to use natural light, which makes photos look better and more natural.
Multiple Angles: Provide at least three photos per room – one wide-angle shot, one mid-range shot, and one close-up shot to give viewers a comprehensive view of the space.
Staging and Composition: Stage the interior with elements like plants, flowers, and cushions. Ensure the space looks tidy and inviting. Pay attention to composition, using transitional photos to show how rooms connect.
High Resolution: Use high-resolution images that are crisp and clear. Avoid blurry photos, and ensure the photos accurately represent the property.

Likewise, good descriptions provide essential information about the property, amenities, and surrounding area, helping guests make informed decisions.

A well-written description emphasizes the unique selling points of your property, but accurate and detailed descriptions also help set realistic expectations, reducing the likelihood of negative reviews due to unmet expectations. Here are some tips for best practices in descriptions:

Concise and Informative: Break down the description into sections with clear titles and bullet points. This makes the information easy to read and digest.
Highlight Amenities: List all amenities in bullet points, and include them in each room’s section to clarify what guests can expect in each space.
Use Relevant Keywords: Incorporate keywords that highlight the unique selling points of your property. Mention special features like hot tubs, fireplaces, or proximity to attractions.
Set Realistic Expectations: Be honest about any potential drawbacks of the property to avoid disappointing guests. This transparency helps build trust and manage expectations.

Good to know: When you list your rental online and invest time and money in good photos, you are setting expectations for your guests. These expectations must be met when they check into your rental. If they are disappointed, this can only lead to one thing — bad reviews. Matching expectations with reality is the best way to avoid those!

4. Realize the Importance of Customer Service

Customer service is at the heart of hospitality, and it’s essential for any owner who wants to be successful in Emerald Isle. Whether you are renting a small home or an entire luxury waterfront property, your goal should be to make your guests feel valued and provide them with the best possible experience.

Providing excellent customer service helps in building meaningful and memorable connections with guests, which can lead to repeat bookings and word-of-mouth referrals. Besides, excellent customer service is key to receiving good reviews. The more positive reviews you get, the more bookings you’ll receive, and the more you can charge for your property.

How do you guarantee high-quality customer service? The key is in communication. Here are some tips to excel:

Be Responsive: Respond to guest inquiries promptly, ideally within five minutes. Quick replies help build trust and show that you are attentive to their needs.
Clear and Detailed Messages: Provide clear, detailed information in your communications. Use concise language and bullet points to ensure guests understand key details about their stay, check-in procedures, and house rules.
Provide a Comprehensive Local Guide: Create a guidebook that includes recommendations for local attractions, restaurants, and activities. Highlight your favorite spots and hidden gems to give guests a personalized experience.
Send a House Manual: Provide a detailed house manual that covers all the essentials — how to use appliances, WiFi instructions, check-in and check-out procedures, and emergency contacts. This helps guests navigate your property with ease and reduces the need for frequent questions.
24/7 Availability: Make it clear that guests can reach you at any time for urgent issues. Consider enabling notifications on your phone to ensure you don’t miss any messages.

5. Bet on Dynamic Pricing to Boost Bookings

In short-term rentals, dynamic pricing means setting the right price for the right guest at the right time on an ongoing basis. It involves consistently monitoring market conditions to adjust rental rates, outpace competition, and ensure high occupancy rates and revenues.

This approach takes into account various factors, including real-time demand, occupancy levels, seasonal variations, and significant local events, to optimize pricing continuously. Here are some main points of a detailed strategy for dynamic pricing:

Occupancy Focus: Maintain high occupancy rates by adjusting rates based on demand trends. Strive for a strong occupancy rate in the upcoming month, ensuring most nights are booked to avoid missing out on valuable opportunities.
Booking Window: Track and adjust pricing based on the booking window to optimize revenue and identify demand patterns.
Seasonality: Adjust rates according to seasonal demand, with lower rates during slower months, moderate rates during shoulder seasons, and premium rates during peak periods.
Holidays and Local Events: Increase rates during holidays and local events, and offer last-minute discounts to maximize occupancy.
Weekday vs. Weekend Pricing: Implement different pricing strategies for weekdays and weekends, with lower rates on weekdays and higher rates on weekends.

Tips to Conquer Competition With Your Emerald Isle Vacation Rental

In today’s digital age, every industry with an online presence faces the challenge of an overcrowded marketplace. For short-term rental owners, this means that simply having a listing is not enough. To beat the competition and attract more guests, your property needs to rise above the noise.

Want more tips on how to run your short-term rental on Emerald Isle? Head to our blog. We constantly update it with information to help you optimize your operations, attract more guests, receive more positive reviews, and increase your revenue.

At Spinnaker’s Reach Realty, we have over twenty-five years of experience in Emerald Isle real estate and vacation rentals. We are experts in providing the necessary support to vacation rental property owners.To learn more about our services and how we can help your business, you can email us directly. There are many more facets to our business that we would love to share with you!