Totalstay Stories

A Simple Way to Improve Your Short Term Let Guest Experience

Feb 27, 20184 min read

You may have some idea of what guests look for when booking your short term let. You may even have invested in comprehensive short term rental management as a way to provide your guests with the best possible experience. How do you really know whether your guests' needs are being met, however? You m...

Considering a Natural Pool for Your Holiday Rental?

Feb 27, 20183 min read

Natural swimming pools are a must for any holiday rental owner wanting an eco-friendly, water-wise alternative to traditional swimming pools. In Cape Town, saving water has become more important than ever. Even if the 2018 water restrictions eased, water is no longer something that we can afford to ...

How to Find Your Vacation Rental USP

Feb 27, 20183 min read

Have you identified your vacation rental USP? Do you know what separates your rental from the many other similar rentals in your area? Defining your unique selling point is key to putting your rental on the map. You may not know exactly what makes your rental special, or you may have some idea alrea...

Holiday Letting Trend – Treehouses

Feb 23, 20183 min read

Treehouses are a holiday letting trend that captures imagination almost instantly, offering an unusual choice that is ideal for honeymoons, romantic retreats and even family holidays. Recently, Huffington Post SA reported that a famous treehouse in Hout Bay, Blackwood Manor, would be put up for auct...

Be Part of the Change With Totalstay and Relate Bracelets

Feb 21, 20183 min read

Totalstay is proud to be offering guests a range of beautifully made Relate bracelets for sale at our selected villas, apartments, boutique retreats, and aparthotels. These bracelets make great gifts for those back home, but they also offer a simple way to make a difference.

Holiday Letting Trend – Trailers

Feb 16, 20183 min read

Trailers and similar micro-lets are a holiday letting trend that is set to become even more popular in the years ahead. Once limited to campsites and budget accommodation, the trailers of today are stylish, luxurious and fully equipped to meet the demands of the modern traveller.

The Rise of Vacation Rental Home Automation

Feb 15, 20183 min read

Vacation rental home automation has come a long way over the last year or so. Smart vacation lets, in general, have become a major trend for 2018 and beyond, offering a way for guests to enjoy a streamlined experience that is safer, simpler and easier all round. From smart locks to comprehensive hom...

Book Your Cape Town Short Term Rental Between April and June and Save!

Feb 9, 20182 min read

To help you save on Cape Town short term rental accommodation this year, Totalstay has put together an exclusive package that gives you a week-long experience for two that you will never forget. The Winter Warmer Special includes 3 nights at a leading guest house, with breakfast included, plus 4 nig...

Preparing Your Short Term Let for Valentine's Day

Feb 9, 20183 min read

With Valentine's Day around the corner, many short term let owners may be wondering how to attract more couples to their apartment, villa, guest house or self-catering holiday home. Although couples travel throughout the year, the month of love is when many will decide to plan a short trip. In 2018,...

Holiday Letting Trend – Container Homes

Jan 30, 20183 min read

Modern, compact and sustainable, container homes are certainly a holiday letting trend worth watching. If you have been considering this type of property for your short term let, you may already have some idea of their benefits. Made from shipping crates and other sustainable materials, these homes ...

Saving Water at Your Short Term Let

Jan 30, 20183 min read

There are many ways to save water at your short term let – not all of which require major renovation. As the Cape Town drought continues to worsen, we can no longer afford to ignore the impact that we all have on our water supply. That does not mean that guests need to stay away from Cape Town, howe...

Getting the Most from Honeymoon Rentals

Jan 30, 20181 min read

Getting the most from honeymoon rentals is easier than you may think. For the large number of honeymooners that choose Cape Town as their destination as the place to begin a brand new life together, finding the right place to stay is crucial. The right accommodation can make or break a honeymoon.

Holiday Letting Trend – Guest Farms

Jan 25, 20184 min read

A holiday letting trend that gets more popular each year, guest farms offer a combination of guest house and retreat. There are many ways to transform a smallholding, working farm, or large sized property into a guest farm. You could set up a self-contained cottage or unit within the property that o...

What is Stopping Your Short Term Holiday Rental Success?

Jan 19, 20183 min read

As we get further into the new year, it's time to start reflecting on what is really getting in the way of your short term holiday rental success. If you have created a few listings, had a few guests, and even had a review or two without seeing any major results over the last few months, it may be t...

Cape Town Water Restrictions 2018

Jan 19, 20183 min read

As of 1 January 2018, Level 6 Cape Town water restrictions were announced. At the end of the month, Level 6B restrictions will be implemented. The City of Cape Town has begun to announce its water crisis plan that includes some very scary potential measures to try and address the current drought. Wi...

5 Holiday Letting Property Resolutions for the New Year

Jan 11, 20182 min read

As we get closer towards the middle of January, now is the time to think about holiday letting property resolutions that will guide your efforts in the year ahead. Whether you already have a few goals in mind, or you are looking for a bit of insight and inspiration, resolutions can be an effective w...

Short Term Rental Marketing Trends to Watch in 2018

Jan 9, 20183 min read

Which short term rental marketing trends should you be watching this year? Which trends are truly worth investing in, and which are likely to be a passing fad? With so many trends coming and going each year, it can be hard to know which ones add genuine value. To help sift through the clutter, we ha...

Running Your Short Term Let Like a Resort

Dec 19, 20174 min read

You may be rolling your eyes a bit, wondering what on earth your short term let has in common with a resort. When most people hear the word resort, they think of luxurious holiday destinations complete with umbrella-enhanced drinks, impeccable service, and a non-stop selection of things to see, do, ...

Vacation Letting Trend – Workations

Dec 19, 20174 min read

Our featured vacation letting trend this week is workations – a type of getaway that fuses business and leisure travel. As the name suggests, this term fuses together work and vacation. The trend began to gain popularity with remote workers and freelancers who have the ability to work from any desti...

Before You Get That Instant Vacation Rental Website…

Dec 18, 20173 min read

You may have been tempted to get an instant, ready-made vacation rental website. If you have recently started letting your property on Airbnb or another listing site, you might come across a vacation rental software option that offers a free website. As tempting as it is, think very carefully before...

Should You Consider Niche Travel Markets?

Dec 18, 20173 min read

Wondering whether niche travel markets are worth considering? Not sure which market is a good fit? It can be challenging to know how to choose a niche, whether or not you should even target a niche and how to go about targeting your marketing efforts accordingly.

5 Tips for First Time Vacation Rental Owners

Dec 15, 20171 min read

First time vacation rental owners do not have an easy job. It can be daunting to venture into the short term rental space, to say the least. If you have no previous experience, but you are passionate enough to want to make it work, you may be wondering how to succeed.

Airbnb Horror Stories (And How to Prevent Them)

Dec 6, 20174 min read

Airbnb horror stories are slowly but surely adding a dent in the world's biggest online booking platform's reputation. Over the last year alone, there have been a number of cases in the news that show just how unregulated Airbnb has become. Horror stories in recent months have ranged from a couple f...

Choosing the Right Apartment Rental Investment

Nov 30, 20173 min read

Choosing an apartment rental investment is not always as easy as it sounds. There are many factors to consider, from the location to the type of apartment.

How to Compete in a Crowded Short Term Rentals Market

Nov 29, 20173 min read

Wondering how to compete in a crowded short term rentals market? Standing out in an overly crowded market is a huge challenge. Many short term let owners struggle to position properties in a way that competes against many similar properties. Luckily, there are a few tricks to help you stand out.

Holiday Letting Trend – Property Conversions

Nov 24, 20173 min read

One of the biggest trends in holiday letting property of late is conversions. With this trend, barns, factories, churches and historical monuments are transformed into fully equipped self-catering properties. While simply buying an old barn and expecting it to be inviting is not quite what this tren...

3 Questions to Ask Your Potential Short Term Rental Manager

Nov 21, 20173 min read

If you have been thinking about working with a short term rental manager, you have most likely reached a point where you are ready to grow. The number one reason that property owners hire managers is to get better results from short term letting. Whether you have been dipping your toes into the shor...

Should Your Vacation Rental Listings Include Video?

Nov 17, 20173 min read

What role does video play in your vacation rental listings? Actually, a bigger role than you may realise. Video has become one of the biggest trends in social media, helping to encourage connections and emotional response. In the short term rental industry, video can also build trust, give guests a ...

Short Term Rental Property or B&B?

Nov 15, 20173 min read

Wondering whether it is best to invest in short term rental property or a B&B? The former is a broader term for a wide range of rentals, including self-catering apartments, villas, holiday homes and cottages that are rented out entirely. B&Bs, on the other hand, are much like guest houses, offering ...

How to Lose Holiday Rental Guests Quickly

Nov 10, 20174 min read

If you want to lose holiday rental guests quickly and prevent your booking success from ever taking off, this article is for you. Not too long ago, we shared our tips on ways you may be scaring away short term guests. These tips included things like using bad photos, letting your property fall into ...

Thinking About a Smart Vacation Let?

Nov 9, 20173 min read

According to a 2016 August Home study on smart vacation let features, guests are slowly starting to expect automation and other features. This study, titled Short-term Rentals: Smarter Housing with Smart Home Technology, had some rather interesting results. Highlights include the following:

Vacation Rental Trends for 2018

Nov 3, 20173 min read

As we get closer to the end of the year, there are a few vacation rental trends worth noting for the year ahead. Over the last year, we have seen a slow but steady change in the way that people travel. Traditional hotels are giving way for managed rentals and self catering units, while guest experie...

3 Questions to Ask Before Creating Your Vacation Rental Listing

Oct 31, 20173 min read

Ready to create your vacation rental listing? Before you get started, there are a few things to keep in mind. Many people assume that simply putting out a short term rental listing is enough to bring in guests to their short term rental. Although there is no doubt that your listing is a powerful too...

5 Ways You May Be Scaring Off Vacation Rental Guests

Oct 30, 20173 min read

Are you putting off prospective vacation rental guests or making them want to book your rental? You may not even realise that you are scaring guests away. Many new rental owners do not realise how much goes into the decision making process. Both leisure and business travellers need to make informed ...

More Tips for a Water Wise Short Term Vacation Let Property

Oct 27, 20173 min read

With Cape Town water restrictions still a major concern, now is a better time than ever to make sure that your short term vacation let property is water wise. Many experts have stated that we have a very dry summer approaching. If the low winter rains are any indication, property owners will need to...

The Importance of Vacation Letting Property Privacy

Oct 25, 20173 min read

How much privacy can guests expect at your vacation letting property? Do you have the right to use hidden cameras in your property? Where do you draw the line between security and privacy? If you have ever wondered about the ethics of security cameras, this mini guide is sure to be worth a read.

How Many Accommodation Booking Sites Should You Use?

Oct 20, 20173 min read

Should you be listing your property on as many accommodation booking sites as possible, or is it best to stick to just one? Although more platforms does not always automatically mean a greater chance of success, it is also never wise to put all your eggs in one proverbial basket, either. A more rele...

How to Improve Your Vacation Rental Description

Oct 18, 20173 min read

The very first introduction that potential guests have to your property is your vacation rental description. This is where guests are able to find important details about your property – where it is located, what it offers and why they should stay. Along with your photographs, the description helps ...

Protecting Your Short Term Vacation Rental Against Disasters

Oct 13, 20173 min read

Although no short term vacation rental owner likes to think of disaster, it is impossible to avoid completely. In the last week, South Africa has experienced two major storms, in Johannesburg and Durban respectively, along with a serious fire in Camps Bay, Cape Town. Further abroad, wildfires have d...

Improving Your Short Term Holiday Rental Rating

Oct 13, 20173 min read

Wondering how to take your short term rental from one star to five stars? For most short term rental owners, ratings are a valuable tool that can help to grow your reputation, attract guests and ultimately make sure that your investment sees a return. Poor ratings are dreaded on many levels, not lea...

Short Term Letting Host Mistakes to Avoid This Festive Season

Oct 10, 20173 min read

With the year-end festive season just a short while away, you may be wondering how you as a short term letting host can prepare for the influx of travellers. Being a short term rental host is never as easy as it seems. Many new hosts find themselves making mistakes that don't only affect their guest...

Essential Short Term Vacation Letting Policies

Oct 5, 20172 min read

Short term vacation letting policies are important for both hosts and guests. When many new hosts first begin renting out their property to guests, they are so focused on the guest experience and bookings process that they forget to think about smaller details such as terms and conditions.

Why Short Term Holiday Let Experience Matters

Oct 4, 20173 min read

What is the most important thing for guests who stay at your short term holiday let? Is it the location of your rental? Is it the swimming pool? Is it the design, perhaps? Or maybe the garden? If you are focusing all your efforts on these without considering the experience, you may be missing out on...

Short Term Rental Marketing vs Self Listing

Sep 29, 20173 min read

When you hear about short term rental marketing, you may assume that it is just another phrase for listing your property. In reality however, there is a lot more to marketing than simply creating a listing on a booking site. One of the many challenges to trying to do everything yourself comes down t...

Business Travel Trends to Watch

Sep 29, 20173 min read

Business travel makes up a significant travel niche around the world. Here in Cape Town, South Africa, business travellers may not be as large a group as leisure travellers, but they still account for a notable portion of total travellers that come into the city each year. Unlike holidaymakers, thes...

5 Types of Short Term Vacation Rental Guest

Sep 27, 20172 min read

There are many different types of short term vacation rental guest. From business travellers in search of modern, well-positioned rentals, all the way to large groups, small groups, solo travellers and couples, each type of guest has their own unique needs. Knowing what each type of guest wants can ...

How to Improve Your Holiday Rental Listings

Sep 22, 20173 min read

What makes certain holiday rental listings so popular? Why is it that some listings seem to get lost in a sea of similar listings, while others stand out like a sore thumb? As any holiday rental owner knows, listings play an important role in bringing in bookings. A good listing has the power to att...

Short Term Rental Styling Tips

Sep 19, 20174 min read

Short term rental styling plays a vital part of your success in the holiday letting game. As tools such as Airbnb continue to grow, more people than ever before are letting out their property to guests. The City of Cape Town allows home owners to build a second property on their land. Renting out an...

Holiday Letting Property Features to Avoid

Sep 15, 20173 min read

Not too long ago, we shared some tips on essential holiday apartment features that add value to your offering. Today, we have some tips on the features that can put guests off when browsing listings. From clutter to water-wasting, power-guzzling features, poor quality products and personal decor cho...

Protecting Yourself as a Short Term Rental Host

Sep 13, 20174 min read

Not too long ago, we heard an interesting question on how a new short term rental host could protect themselves against risks such as theft, damage and other issues. We have written about how to protect your rental against holiday letting scams, and shared a common holiday rental scam that has been ...

Cape Town Water Restrictions 2017

Sep 11, 20174 min read

If you had not already heard or read in the news, Level 5 Cape Town water restrictions 2017 are here. As of 3 September 2017, the City of Cape Town implemented the toughest restrictions yet. With the drought showing no signs of going away, drastic measures are needed in order for the city to avoid r...

Buying Holiday Property?

Sep 4, 20173 min read

Thinking about buying holiday property? There are many things to consider when making your selection, from location to property type. With so many mistakes to avoid when buying a holiday let, it can be hard to know what not to do. Many new property owners may also get confused by the many holiday le...

More Airbnb Hosting Mistakes to Avoid

Aug 31, 20171 min read

On social media, Airbnb hosting often appears to be a fun way to meet people from all over the world. Many people make the decision to rent out a spare room and bring in extra cash in the process. Although it may seem simple on the surface, there is a lot more involved in hosting than you may think.

How to Upsell Holiday Accommodation

Aug 29, 20173 min read

Wondering how to create enticing holiday accommodation packages for your short term rental? Upselling is a smart strategy that allows you to 'sell' additional services that add value to your guests. Whether you offer tours, car hire, private chefs or even personal butler services, there are a number...

Preparing Your Short Term Accommodation Rental for Summer

Aug 25, 20174 min read

The peak season is just around the corner, which means that short term accommodation rental will be in high demand here in Cape Town. Is your rental equipped for the upcoming summer season? If not, what can you do to make your property summer-ready?

Essential Holiday Apartment Rental Features

Aug 23, 20174 min read

Which features are most important for guests staying at your holiday apartment rental? As anyone who has ever stayed at a holiday apartment knows, it is often the small touches that have the most impact. Booking an apartment that only offers the absolute basics can lead to a less than inspiring geta...

Turning Down Villa Bookings

Aug 18, 20174 min read

In a perfect world, you should never have to turn down villa bookings. More bookings is good when it comes to short term rentals, aren't they? Although in theory you should enjoy a high booking rate, there are times when you may want to refuse a booking. Whether it is due to a red flag that makes yo...

The Wrong Way to Increase Your Holiday Home Booking

Aug 16, 20174 min read

Every owner hopes to increase their holiday home booking rates. How you go about getting more bookings can make all the difference between a successful short term let and a less than successful one however. While every holiday home owner wants to ensure that their property is never left empty, not a...

How to Prepare Self Catering Apartments for Honeymooners

Aug 11, 20173 min read

When it comes to self catering apartments that cater to honeymooning couples, luxury goes hand in hand with convenience and romance. Unlike a short term rental prepared for business travellers, a rental that caters to romantic travellers needs to be designed with romance in mind. While you can follo...

How to Market Private Holiday Lets

Aug 10, 20173 min read

In a destination with a high tourism rate, it is easy to market private holiday lets. True or false? How accurate this statement is comes down to how you position your let. The trouble with high tourist areas is that there is also a very high rate of competition. When a large number of lets are all ...

Vacation Rental Management Software vs Dedicated Manager

Aug 4, 20173 min read

Should you try vacation rental management software to help you manage your short term rental, or is it better to invest in a professional, dedicated short term rental manager instead? As the demand for short term rentals grows, the vacation letting industry grows as well. For property owners aiming ...

Should Your Short Term Property Let Accept Pets?

Aug 3, 20173 min read

Is it worth thinking about allowing pets at your short term property let? There is no doubt that pet-friendly travel is on the rise all over the world. Those in favour of this move cite a number of benefits, from happier guests to happier pets. Those who are not in favour point out the potential ris...

Avoid This Short Term Letting Scam

Jul 28, 20173 min read

We have shared some tips on how to avoid holiday rental scams, but there is one potential short term letting scam that has been getting a lot of press recently. Last month, the Telegraph reported that British holidaymakers may be banned from all-inclusive resorts due to the growing number of fake fo...

Targeting Your Short Term Holiday Let to Baby Boomers

Jul 28, 20173 min read

Are you marketing your short term holiday let to baby boomers? If not, you are missing out on a large established group that often has travel budgets to spend in their so-called golden years. In addition to the large millennial travel group, baby boomers make up one of the more significant travel gr...

Dealing With Unusual Short Term Letting Property Requests

Jul 26, 20173 min read

Every single short term letting property owner will receive a few strange requests at some point or another. Whether it is something relatively reasonable, such as early check in or late arrivals, or something more complicated, such as whether or not guests are allowed to throw parties or sub-let ro...

Holiday Rental Management Tips – Dealing With Last Minute Cancellations

Jul 26, 20173 min read

One of the most frustrating holiday rental management issues to deal with is last minute cancellations. When bookings are cancelled a day or two before guests were scheduled to arrive, it means that it is often harder to find a replacement. In low season, when bookings are not at peak, this can be e...

More Holiday Rental Listing Site Warning Signs to Avoid

Jul 21, 20174 min read

Avoiding short term rental scams is more important than every before, which is why you need to be extra careful when selecting any holiday rental listing site. Whether you are new to short term rental or you have been in this business a while, listing sites play an important role in your marketing e...

3 Reasons Not to Invest in Short Term Vacation Letting Property

Jul 20, 20171 min read

You've heard plenty of reasons on why it's a good idea to consider short term vacation letting property. What about reasons to not invest? It may sound strange, but with the growing trend in short term rentals, not every rental provides real value to guests. As the old saying goes, just because you ...

Is Your Short Term Holiday Letting Property Water Wise?

Jul 16, 20174 min read

With Level 5 water restrictions in place in Cape Town, it is more important than ever before to have a short term holiday letting property that is water wise. As we head deeper into winter here in the drought-stricken Western Cape, the rains have finally arrived. But that does not mean that water re...

Is Your Short Term Holiday Property Disabled Friendly?

Jul 14, 20173 min read

While your short term holiday property will likely not be able to cater to absolutely every single guest, it is still important to keep your differently abled guests in mind. Whether that means having a property that has wheelchair access, or investing in equipment that will make every guest feel mo...

5 Types of Short Term Vacation Letting Problem Guests

Jul 11, 20172 min read

Not too long ago, we shared some tips on how short term vacation letting owners can deal with problem guests. This article offered some insight into how to deal with potential issues that may arise. But how do you spot potentially difficult guests in the first place?

Essential Short Term Holiday Letting House Rules

Jul 5, 20172 min read

Short term holiday letting house rules are often treated as a last minute addition, if they are considered at all. While you may be aware of holiday rental laws that apply in your area, it is also important to consider rules that apply to your property specifically. Holiday letting rules are there t...

Why Your Short Term Vacation Let Needs Welcome Packs

Jun 30, 20174 min read

One of the many, many reasons to partner with a dedicated short term rental manager is that they provide expertly put-together short term vacation let welcome packs. Of all the things that you offer guests from the moment that they make a booking to the moment that they check out, welcome packs are ...

Weather-Proofing Your Vacation Letting Property

Jun 30, 20174 min read

In a city such as Cape Town that is known for its varied weather conditions, it is essential to safe-guard your vacation letting property against the elements. During the winter months, storms are not uncommon. As the recent storms of June 2017 taught us, it is all too easy for trees to lose branche...

Short Term Letting Manager vs Housekeeper

Jun 28, 20173 min read

If you are new to short term rental property investment, you may be wondering which is a better choice… short term letting manager or in-house housekeeper?

Why Small Details Count in Holiday Letting Property Success

Jun 27, 20174 min read

Even the smallest of details can make a difference when it comes to guests making repeat bookings at your holiday letting property. Many investment property owners focus on the basics, without considering the small touches that can often go a long way in making guests feel at home.

Introducing Boutique Retreats by Totalstay

Jun 24, 20173 min read

Offering the perfect blend of luxury and convenience, Boutique Retreats by Totalstay brings a whole new level of excellence to semi-catered accommodation in Cape Town. Our flagship properties offer guesthouse accommodation that goes far beyond the ordinary. The very same commitment to detail, and fu...

Holiday Letting Advice – Dealing With Late Arrivals

Jun 23, 20173 min read

If you have been looking for holiday letting advice, one of the questions that is often asked is how to deal with late arrivals. While every rental owner hopes that guests will arrive on time, from time to time, delays occur. Whether these are caused by flight delays and factors outside of your gues...

Vacation Rental Features Room by Room – Bathroom

Jun 22, 20174 min read

In this guide to vacation rental features, we will be going from room to room to help you determine the best features to include in your rental. From bedrooms to bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, entertainment areas, and outdoor areas, we help you equip your rental with everything it needs to succe...

Vacation Rental Features Room by Room – Living Room

Jun 17, 20175 min read

In this guide to vacation rental features, we will be going from room to room to help you determine the best features to include in your rental. From bedrooms to bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, entertainment areas, and outdoor areas, we help you equip your rental with everything it needs to succe...

Vacation Rental Features Room by Room – Kitchen

Jun 14, 20174 min read

In this guide to vacation rental features, we will be going from room to room to help you determine the best features to include in your rental. From bedrooms to bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, entertainment areas, and outdoor areas, we help you equip your rental with everything it needs to succe...

Vacation Rental Features Room by Room – Bedrooms

Jun 12, 20174 min read

In this guide to vacation rental features, we will be going from room to room to help you determine the best features to include in your rental. From bedrooms to bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, entertainment areas, and outdoor areas, we help you equip your rental with everything it needs to succe...

How to Create an Inviting Short Term Holiday Rental

Jun 8, 20173 min read

Whether you are preparing for low season, or enjoying the peak bookings of high season, your short term holiday rental needs to be as inviting as possible. Many rental owners assume that guests are desperate enough to find accommodation, that they will take just about anything. While bookings are ce...

Targeting Your Short Term Vacation Let to Millennials

Jun 5, 20173 min read

Is your short term vacation let geared towards millennials? If not, you may be missing out on a chance to increase your bookings and grow your reach. Comprising the segment of the population that were born between 1980 and 2000, millennials make up a significant portion of the overall travel market.

5 Vacation Rental Photography Mistakes

May 31, 20171 min read

Vacation rental photography can be a make or break factor for any short term rental owner. Done right, short term rental photographs are a powerful tool that provide a visual introduction to your property. They work hand in hand with your listing to entice guests into making a booking.

How to Improve Your Vacation Letting Guest Communication

May 30, 20174 min read

Vacation letting guest communication is something that can make all the difference between a glowing review and an average review. Despite the many advantages of improved guest communication, many rentals fail to make an effort in this regard. By not putting any thought into how you communicate with...

Preparing Your Holiday Rental Property for Winter

May 26, 20173 min read

Winter is on its way, whether your holiday rental property is ready or not. For those travelling during winter, the off-season brings lower travel prices for flights as well as accommodation. In South Africa's Mother City, winter also brings the annual restaurant specials, along with a bit of rain, ...

Common Vacation Letting Reviews Ruining Your Success

May 24, 20174 min read

A huge part of vacation letting comes down to avoiding complaints. While you may think that your rental has what it takes to make guests happy, it just takes one bad experience for a poor review to ruin your booking success. Some guests may put up with an uncomfortable bed, or a disorganised house. ...

Essential Outdoor Features for Your Vacation Rental

May 19, 20173 min read

While guests notice indoor elements, outdoor areas can be a make or break factor when it comes to vacation rental. For many leisure travel guests, vacations are all about relaxing and enjoying some much-needed time off. Some may be travelling with a partner on a romantic break. Others are travelling...

Running Your Vacation House Rental Like a Small Business

May 17, 20174 min read

While some may consider vacation house rental to be more of a hobby, smart owners know that their rentals have the potential to act just like a small business. If you're renting out a spare room for extra pocket money, you likely aren't too worried about growing your investment. On the other hand, i...

How Safe is Your Vacation Home Rental?

May 12, 20174 min read

Just how safe is your vacation home rental? If you assumed that it was safe, purely because there are no obvious safety hazards that you can see, it may be time to take a good, hard look at your property. No rental owner likes to think about disaster. In a 2015 article on Medium, a journalist told t...

Positioning Your Holiday Rental Investment for the Luxury Travel Market

May 11, 20175 min read

If you are aiming to position your holiday rental investment for the luxury travel market, the first step is creating an experience that guests will remember for all the right reasons. Many guesthouses, villas and apartments want to cater to luxury travellers, but fail to upgrade their rental with f...

Avoid These Vacation Rental Listings Mistakes

May 9, 20173 min read

Vacation rental listings play a vital role in your booking success. A good listing has the power not only to bring in more bookings, but also to increase your overall reputation. Despite the obvious importance of well-crafted listings, many vacation rental owners assume that they can put something t...

What Matters Most When Running a Holiday Let

May 5, 20175 min read

You may assume that the most important thing to provide guests when running a holiday let is a swimming pool. You might even think that a full breakfast can make or break a booking, or that luxurious touches will seal the deal. A study done by Hotels.com on hotel features however revealed some very ...

Optimising Your Small Short Term Rental

May 4, 20173 min read

You may assume that smaller short term rental properties do not perform as well as larger properties. In reality, both small and larger rentals have plenty to offer potential guests. The secret to succeeding in this industry, whatever size your property may be, is to know how to position and market ...

How to Encourage Longer Holiday Home Rental Bookings

Apr 27, 20173 min read

Extended stays can be extremely valuable for holiday home rental owners. Instead of booking for one or two nights, guests who are seeking to extend their stay will typically stay a few weeks or even a month. The reasons for longer stays are multiple. Many guests are travelling for work, and require ...

Vacation Rental Manager Mistakes to Avoid

Apr 27, 20173 min read

Choosing the right vacation rental manager can be challenging. How do you know whether you can trust prospective managers to have your best interests at heart? And, more importantly, how can you be sure that your manager will provide real value?

How Instant Book Helps Your Vacation Rental Investment

Apr 26, 20173 min read

One of the things that has helped to shape the vacation rental investment industry is instant booking. This feature was first used on Airbnb listings. Now, it is common on almost every listing platform. For many rental owners, the idea of instant booking can be daunting. Many worry about the risk of...

Should You Invest in Serviced Apartments?

Apr 22, 20173 min read

Serviced apartments offer the best of self-catered and catered accommodation. This type of accommodation includes aparthotels as well as catered apartments of various sizes. If you have been considering investing in a large unit such as a block of apartments, or even a single apartment within a comp...

Starting a Guest House Business?

Apr 21, 20172 min read

If you have been dreaming about a guest house business, you may be thinking that it would be an easy way to bring in extra money each month. Although you certainly can make a profit with short term rentals, it's not always as easy as it seems. With Airbnb and similar platforms continuing to rise, a ...

How to Ensure an Eco-Friendly Vacation Let

Apr 19, 20173 min read

With the limitations on natural resources, it has become more important than ever to work towards a sustainable, environmentally friendly vacation let. To use a local example here in South Africa, the past few months have seen many properties look at water-wise technology as water restrictions conti...

How Not to Handle Holiday Let Reviews

Apr 15, 20173 min read

We have featured some tips on how to handle poor reviews, but what about the things that you absolutely should never do when responding to holiday let reviews? When you see someone telling the world that your rental has not met their expectations, it is all too easy to respond in the heat of the mom...

What to Avoid When Buying a Holiday Let

Apr 13, 20174 min read

Buying a holiday let is exciting and daunting, often at the same time. On one hand, you will have the chance to enter the lucrative short term rentals market in cities such as Cape Town. On the other hand, you have so many things to consider before choosing your property. The area, the size of the p...

Buying an Investment Property?

Apr 12, 20174 min read

If you have been thinking about buying an investment property, you may already have a few expectations. As platforms such as Airbnb grow, it's hard not to find success stories from people who have earned a fortune from renting out a spare room. At least a few people in your network – friends, family...

Marketing Your Vacation Rental Property Investment to Singles

Apr 7, 20173 min read

A huge part of success in the vacation rental property investment arena is knowing how to meet the demands of the travel market. While some property owners prefer to take a catch all approach, offering apartments or villas that appeal to just about any traveller type, others like to position their r...

Buying a Short Term Let Investment in Bantry Bay?

Apr 6, 20173 min read

Situated between Sea Point and Clifton, Bantry Bay offers a lucrative short term let investment choice for those wanting to invest in Cape Town's Atlantic Seaboard. This affluent suburb has become one of the most sought-after destinations for holidays. It is also an idyllic choice for honeymooners. ...

Vacation House Rentals for Team Building Groups

Mar 30, 20173 min read

Making up a small but significant niche within the broader business travel market, team building groups often require vacation house rentals that offer more privacy and flexibility than traditional hotel accommodation. This group has its own needs, which are very different to that of a large leisure...

Holiday Home Investment for Older Properties

Mar 30, 20174 min read

Many people who are considering holiday home investment will at some point come across an affordable older property that looks like it has plenty of potential. These fixer uppers could be properties that are in good condition for the most part, but simply need to be modernised with contemporary fitt...

Avoiding Vacation Letting Complaints

Mar 29, 20174 min read

We have shared some tips on how to handle poor reviews, but what about avoiding vacation letting complaints altogether? Obviously, it is impossible to completely avoid any complaints. In some cases, complaints are less about vacation property and more about unhappy guests who may not have been happy...

Essential Short Term Rental Investment Upgrades

Mar 24, 20174 min read

While there are a number of renovations that help increase the value of your holiday rental, what about smaller short term rental investment upgrades? Today's guest is typically well-travelled, with a number of expectations in regards to the accommodation they choose. Guests expect a high level of q...

Preparing Your Short Term Let for Low Season

Mar 23, 20174 min read

With winter nearly here in Cape Town, many short term let owners are wondering how to prepare for the upcoming low season. Here in South Africa's Mother City, summer is the busiest time of year. Over the years, there has been a slow but steady increase in winter travel, especially as wine and food t...

Getting Better Reviews for Your Short Term Let

Mar 18, 20174 min read

Reviews are the lifeblood of every short term let. Poor reviews can have devastating effects on your booking rates, while positive reviews can often be the make or break factor when prospective guests are viewing your listings. How do you ensure that your investment property gets better reviews?

Choosing A Vacation Rental Management Service

Mar 16, 20175 min read

Choosing a vacation rental management service is every bit as important as choosing the right school for your child, the right doctor for your health and the right partner for your business. Essentially, the role of your vacation rental manager is to protect your investment and help it grow. Just as...

How to Get Repeat Bookings For Your Investor Property

Mar 13, 20174 min read

Repeat business is good for every industry, and the investor property industry is no exception. When it comes to holiday rentals, loyalty is everything. Many guests feel more comfortable staying somewhere that they have already stayed at before, compared to trying somewhere completely new. This make...

Where to Buy a Beach House

Mar 10, 20175 min read

If you have every daydreamed about getting into holiday rental property investment, a question that will no doubt arise is where to buy a beach house. Here in Cape Town, South Africa, beach houses are highly-sought after. This makes a lot of sense, when you consider that the Mother City is famous fo...

The Importance of Holiday Let Investment Listings

Mar 8, 20173 min read

Just as photography plays a vital role in holiday lest investment marketing success, so too do your listings. Holiday rental listings work hand in hand with your images to help encourage enquiries and bookings. While photographs help to provide guests with a visual picture of the rental, it is the l...

Essential Security Features for Your Vacation Let Investment

Mar 6, 20174 min read

There is no doubt that keeping your guests safe is an integral part of the vacation let investment process. But over and beyond basic steps that you will need to take to provide a safe, welcoming environment for your guests, what can you do to safeguard your investment?

Vacation Rental Tips: Standing Out From the Competition

Mar 3, 20172 min read

For any would-be property investor searching for vacation rental tips, the short term rental market can seem overwhelmingly crowded at times. Just about everyone is sharing advice on how to increase bookings, rent out your spare room, and generally capitalise on the many opportunities offered by the...

The Importance of Vacation Rental Rules

Feb 28, 20175 min read

If you have a vacation rental property, you need vacation rental rules. It is that simple. Many would-be investors enter the market with daydreams about huge profits, fully booked rentals and the chance to enjoy a vacation now and then. Rules may seem like over-kill, but without them, you may find t...

Holiday Rental Marketing for Niche Travel

Feb 25, 20173 min read

One of the most untapped travel groups to focus your holiday rental marketing efforts on, the niche travel sector offers a number of opportunities for short term rental investors. In the 5th edition of Marketing Tourism in South Africa, author Richard George identifies 20 Special Interest tourism gr...

Vacation Rental Advice – Handling Poor Reviews

Feb 22, 20175 min read

Ask an experienced investor for vacation rental advice on how to approach negative reviews, and you could get any number of answers. Every rental owner has their own system for handling bad reviews. What works for one investor may not work for another. With that said however, there are a few basic s...

Buying Vacation Rental Property in Gardens?

Feb 20, 20175 min read

If you are thinking about buying vacation rental property, choosing the right area is hugely important. One of the areas that continues to attract large numbers of leisure and business travellers is Gardens. This leafy suburb lies in the heart of the Cape Town City Bowl, flanked by Tamboerskloof and...

Growing Your Vacation Home Investment Reputation

Feb 17, 20176 min read

In the vacation home investment business, reputation is critical. As a new investor, your reputation is something that develops over time. The most effective way to establish a reputation that keeps on growing is to provide a consistently high level of quality across the board, from the very first b...

Holiday Letting Advice – The Importance of Photography

Feb 17, 20174 min read

Every investor will receive plenty of holiday letting advice when entering the short term rental space, from property managers, well-meaning (but not always clued-up) people who have dabbled in property investment, next door neighbours and many other people. Just about everyone sees themselves as ex...

The Real Cost of Beach House Investment

Feb 13, 20174 min read

If you have ever daydreamed about purchasing a beach house investment and quitting your job, you may be thinking of the ultimate payout without taking any of the hidden costs into account. As the holiday rental market continues to boom, smart investors all over the world are seeing the benefit of sh...

Considering Holiday Investment Properties in Fresnaye?

Feb 9, 20174 min read

One of the most exclusive suburbs on the Atlantic Seaboard, Fresnaye is home to some of the most sought-after holiday investment properties in Cape Town. The suburb lies between Signal Hill and Sea Point, high on the slopes of Table Mountain. From its vantage point, the area boasts breath-taking vie...

Beach Rental Marketing for Romantic Travel

Feb 7, 20174 min read

Whether planning for Valentine's Day, or honeymoon, beach rental marketing is key to targeting couples. Romantic travel makes up a small but significant portion of the leisure travel market. Including honeymooning couples, groups of couples and any other couple travelling with romance in mind, the n...

How to Avoid Holiday Rental Scams

Feb 3, 20177 min read

As online bookings allow travellers to explore the world more easily than ever before, holiday rental scams are also on the rise. These scams are clever enough to trick many unsuspecting families and couples out of a small fortune. How a typical scam works is shockingly simple – listings are created...

Holiday Letting for Large Groups

Jan 31, 20174 min read

Unlike couples and single travellers, large travel groups make up a very unique portion of the overall holiday letting travel market. Large groups can be found in both leisure and corporate sectors. These groups could be groups of friends planning a holiday, corporate groups travelling for a team bu...

Why Buy Vacation Rental in Bakoven?

Jan 30, 20174 min read

Why should you buy vacation rental in Bakoven? For investors seeking a highly exclusive area with plenty of potential for vacation rental income, this Cape Town suburb is well worth a thought. Situated just south of Camps Bay on Cape Town's glamorous Atlantic Seaboard, Bakoven means 'baking oven' in...

Investing in Vacation Rentals Outside of Major Cities

Jan 30, 20174 min read

If you are thinking about investing in vacation rentals, is it worthwhile looking outside of major urban centres? This question is one that many budding investors need to ask at some point. Choosing the best area for vacation rental investment is no small feat, after all.

The Realities of Holiday Rental Management

Jan 25, 20175 min read

For those entering the short term property investment space, the expectation of holiday rental management is seldom the same as the reality. Many new investors make the assumption that management is one of those things that will take care of itself. Or, they may assume that they will think about tha...

Holiday Property Management Tips: Dealing with Problem Guests

Jan 21, 20175 min read

Dealing with problem guests is a side of holiday rental management that is often difficult to talk about. Guests are the lifeblood of the hospitality industry, and while the majority of interactions do not have to be anything short of pleasant, occasionally hosts will encounter more of a challenge.

Buying Investment Property in Bo Kaap?

Jan 19, 20175 min read

If you have been thinking about buying investment property in the Cape Town CBD, the Bo Kaap may just be an area worth considering. Famous for its brightly coloured cottages, steep cobbled streets and rich Malay culture, this area has seen a number of major changes over the years. As urban improveme...

3 Things to Consider Before Buying Holiday Rental Property

Jan 17, 20175 min read

Buying holiday rental property can be an excellent investment, especially in popular travel areas such as Cape Town. Unlike long term rentals, short term rentals have a number of unique advantages, challenges and considerations that apply. From understanding the often changing demands of core travel...

Best Places to Buy Vacation Rental Property

Jan 13, 20174 min read

Just about every property investor will have their own opinion on the best places to buy vacation rental property in Cape Town. Depending on who you speak to, some may tell you that places such as Camps Bay are the only option worth considering. Others may tell you that places a bit out of town are ...

5 Vacation Rental Marketing Tips

Jan 12, 20172 min read

If you're constantly finding yourself with an empty apartment or villa, these vacation rental marketing tips may just help you get the bookings you need to succeed. For many new short term property investors, it can be all too easy to make vacation rental mistakes that set you back. Choosing the wro...

Self-Managed vs Professionally Managed Vacation Rentals

Jan 10, 20177 min read

We've spoken about the dangers of self-managed rentals, but as far as investments go, is professional managed vacation rentals really your best bet? The short answer is a resounding yes. Countless property owners have learned the hard way that vacation rental management is a full-time job that requi...

How to Equip Your Beach Rental Investment for Self-Catering

Jan 6, 20175 min read

Preparing for holiday rentals is an essential step for anyone considering beach rental investment property. Over and beyond making sure that your property is suitably furnished, you will also need to ensure that every single room is fully stocked with basic items required for self-catering. A beach ...

Considering Short Term Property Investment in De Waterkant?

Dec 21, 20164 min read

De Waterkant offers one of the most sought-after areas for short term property investment in Cape Town. With its central location between the CBD and V&A Waterfront, the area has become a haven for leisure and business travellers alike. The area lies alongside the famous Bo Kaap, also known as the M...

The Importance of Day to Day Vacation Rental Management

Dec 21, 20164 min read

Day to day vacation rental management is something that many new property investors fail to truly understand. Far too many property owners believe that management entails bookings, enquiries and guest relations, while failing to take into account all the other daily tasks involved along the way. The...

Buying Holiday Apartments in the Cape Town Inner City?

Dec 21, 20164 min read

The Cape Town Inner City offers an exciting opportunity for savvy property developers planning to purchase holiday apartments. Over the years, this area has become a vibrant, up and coming hub in the very heart of the Cape Town CBD. For visitors, the area offers a central, safe location that is with...

How to Make Your Beach House Rental Child-Friendly

Dec 21, 20164 min read

Summer holidays have arrived in Cape Town, and for property owners wanting to maximise their beach house rental bookings, it's always a good idea to ensure that rentals are child-friendly. Travel markets in Cape Town typically fall within two broader categories: leisure and business. Within the leis...

Considering Higgovale Holiday Rental Investment Property?

Dec 20, 20163 min read

Thinking about holiday rental investment property in Higgovale? This affluent, leafy suburb lies on the slopes of Table Mountain, overlooking the city. Home to a range of beautiful houses and short term lets, the area is quiet and peaceful, while still being just minutes away from the CBD.

The Dangers of Self Managed Vacation Property Rental

Dec 20, 20164 min read

With tools such as Airbnb continuing to rise, self managed vacation property rental has become a seemingly easy way to bring in extra cash while renting out a spare bedroom. Almost everyone knows of a friend or a friend's friend who has had plenty of rewarding stories to tell about interesting stran...

Considering Vacation Home Investment in Foreshore?

Dec 15, 20164 min read

For savvy property investors, the Cape Town Foreshore offers an excellent location for vacation home investment. It's hard to believe, but many years ago, the area now known as the Foreshore was once a thriving waterfront on the shore of Table Bay. In the 1940s, the area was reclaimed, paved and slo...

What Guests Look For When Booking Holiday Homes

Dec 15, 20164 min read

Do you know what prospective guests are looking for when they are browsing holiday homes? Many property owners who rent out apartments or villas to short term guests focus their marketing efforts on what they think will attract guests rather than what they know will attract guests. Not very many sto...

Introducing Bijoux Aparthotel by Totalstay

Dec 9, 20163 min read

Bijoux Aparthotel by Totalstay is a brand new development based on Adderley Street, in the heart of the Cape Town CBD. Bijoux, which means 'little jewel', is certainly set to be the crowning jewel of the inner city, with much to offer its guests. Featuring 22 beautifully appointed studio and single ...

3 Reasons Your Beach House Rental Bookings Are Low

Dec 9, 20165 min read

Wondering why you are not getting anywhere with beach house rental bookings? Many new property investors get frustrated at their lack of bookings. It can be incredibly challenging to put in all the hard work getting your rental property guest-worthy, only for the property to end up standing empty we...

Buying a Holiday Let in Clifton?

Dec 7, 20165 min read

Thinking about buying a holiday let in Clifton? As one of the most affluent suburbs in Cape Town, Clifton is without a doubt the shining jewel on the Atlantic Seaboard coastline. The area is comprised of residential homes, luxury holiday villas and apartments, with no restaurants, shops of commercia...

3 Airbnb Host Mistakes to Avoid

Dec 2, 20165 min read

Becoming an Airbnb host is exciting, and often rewarding. For many property owners wanting to enter the short term rentals market, there is a huge deal of misconception at what the job entails. Many people still believe that making it big on Airbnb is as simple as putting up a spare room for rent an...

Buying Vacation Rental Property in Sea Point

Nov 30, 20163 min read

For investors thinking of buying vacation rental property in Sea Point, the suburb offers an excellent opportunity. Sea Point lies on the Atlantic Seaboard of Cape Town, nestled between the City Centre, Green Point, Bantry Bay and Mouille Point.

Why Consider Green Point Vacation Rental Investment?

Nov 25, 20164 min read

For investors considering the Atlantic Seaboard in Cape Town, Green Point offers an excellent area for vacation rental investment. This area lies between De Waterkant and Sea Point, just minutes from the V&A Waterfront and the CBD. Vacation rentals in this area comprise a variety of property types, ...

Holiday Let Investment for the Honeymoon Market

Nov 25, 20164 min read

Wondering how to market your holiday let investment to honeymooners? The romantic travel market makes up a growing percentage of the overall Cape Town travel market. As the Mother City's reputation continues to attract visitors from all over the world, more couples than ever before are considering t...

Airbnb Trips vs Managed Vacation Rental

Nov 23, 20164 min read

In case you've missed the news of late, Airbnb Trips recently launched in Cape Town and other major cities across the world. This feature essentially allows travellers to enjoy tours and experiences during vacation. For smart property owners and hosts wanting to maximise rental profits, this feature...

Vacation Rental Marketing Tips for the Family Travel Market

Nov 18, 20164 min read

Vacation rental marketing for the family travel market differs significantly from strategies geared towards other travel markets. Within the leisure market, families comprise a somewhat diverse group that ranges from small to larger groups. Here in Cape Town, the summer holiday season falls at the e...

Cape Town Waterfront Holiday Rental Investment 

Nov 17, 20163 min read

The Cape Town holiday rental investment market comprises a number of popular areas – many of which fall along the Atlantic Seaboard. This stretch of coastline includes some of the city's most exclusive suburbs. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a relatively new suburb on the Atlantic Seaboard that...

5 Vacation Rental Marketing Mistakes to Avoid

Nov 16, 20162 min read

Vacation rental marketing plays a vital role in the success of any short term rental property. Without a solid plan in place, your property will not be able to compete against the many other properties that are all vying for the same audience. In Cape Town, the vacation rental space is massive. Popu...

Why Invest in Camps Bay Vacation Villas?

Nov 11, 20164 min read

Thinking about investing in Camps Bay vacation villas? This area is home to some of the most sought-after holiday rentals in all of Cape Town. Situated on the Atlantic Seaboard, Camps Bay is an oasis that attracts a large number of holidaymakers to its glamorous shores. With flawless beaches, dazzli...

Short Term Rental Property Safety Tips for Hosts

Nov 10, 20164 min read

One of the concerns that many would-be investors have about short term rental property is the safety aspect. The idea of renting out space to complete strangers can be daunting at best. For those using platforms such as Airbnb, this can be especially challenging. How do you go about screening prospe...

The Perils of DIY Vacation House Rentals

Nov 8, 20164 min read

If you have been thinking about vacation house rentals as an easy way to bring in extra income, keep reading. Between Airbnb and Homestay, just about anyone can enter the short term rentals market. Everyone has a story about a friend, family member or neighbour who has 'made a killing' renting out t...

Should You Invest in Beach Rentals?

Nov 3, 20163 min read

In Cape Town, beach rentals are often the most sought-after of all holiday rental properties. For both domestic and international travellers, being close to the beach is a major draw-card. Cape Town is blessed with not one but two oceans, with a wide variety of beach villas and apartments to be foun...

Renovations That Increase the Value of Holiday Rental Properties

Nov 2, 20165 min read

Holiday rental properties have the potential to bring in a significant income boost for investors. As a general rule of the thumb, the higher the tourism grade, the more lucrative the property becomes. In many cases, four and five star rentals are in high demand, especially within the international ...

5 Vacation Rental Properties to Avoid

Oct 30, 20164 min read

Chosen well, vacation rental properties are an excellent investment. But many new investors are in such a rush to purchase, they make decisions that are less than careful. The biggest reason for poor decisions in the holiday rental market is inexperience. Failing to understand the area you wish to i...

Is Vacation House Rental a Good Investment?

Oct 29, 20164 min read

The vacation house rental market continues to grow at a rapid rate. Many first time investors are drawn to the idea of having a holiday home that can be enjoyed a few times a year, while bringing in extra money the rest of the time. Other would-be investors have been inspired by the growth of platfo...

5 Airbnb Optimisation Tips

Oct 26, 20163 min read

Airbnb optimisation can often be a bit confusing at first. This major holiday accommodation listing platform has rapidly changed the vacation rentals game. With a constantly growing database of property owners, often competing within the same city (and often suburb), making sure that your listing is...

6 Lessons for First Time Holiday Rental Investors

Oct 23, 20165 min read

First time holiday rental investors have a lot to learn. From knowing where and when to invest, to doing the endless research that allows you to make an informed decision, everything you do affects your chance of success. Every investor has to start somewhere however. Many investors learn by trial a...

Vacation Rental for the Leisure Travel Market

Oct 21, 20165 min read

Much like short term rental for business travellers has its own set of requirements, vacation rental for leisure travellers also has specific requirements. The leisure travel market is a diverse group that incorporates a number of different traveller types. There are the families, who travel with ch...

Prepare Your Short Term Rental for Business Travellers

Oct 19, 20164 min read

Short term rental for the business travel market includes a wide range of properties, for individual travellers as well as groups. In Cape Town, business travel makes up a growing portion of the overall travel market. Thanks to world-class facilities such as the Cape Town International Convention Ce...

Holiday Apartment Rental Tips

Oct 15, 20164 min read

Holiday apartment rental offers an excellent choice for property investment. Smaller than villas and free-standing houses, apartments cater to a diverse range of travel markets. Smaller spaces are often a lot easier to maintain compared to larger properties, while security is often provided in the f...

Is Your Holiday Rental Ready for Peak Travel Season?

Oct 14, 20164 min read

Your holiday rental has seen a slow but steady rise in bookings over the year, but are you ready for the upcoming peak travel season? Here in Cape Town, the summer holiday period between December and February is the busiest time for short term rentals. This is when schools close for the year. It's a...

How to Up Your Airbnb Host Game

Oct 12, 20165 min read

Becoming an Airbnb host is simple enough, in theory. If you have your space listed on Airbnb, you are essentially a host. But, while anyone can be a host, it takes a bit more effort to become a super host. Providing a place for holidaymakers, couples and corporate travellers to stay is a good start....

Why Invest in Cape Town CBD Holiday Rental Property?

Oct 8, 20163 min read

Cape Town CBD holiday rental property caters to leisure travellers as well as corporate travellers. The area's centrality, convenience and proximity to world-class attractions and facilities make it one of the most in-demand destinations. For leisure travellers, the area is in easy reach of many tou...

Short Term Property Challenges

Oct 6, 20164 min read

Short term property offers an enticing investment for many, but it is not without its share of challenges. The rise of platforms such as Airbnb have opened up the field of property investment to more people than ever before. These days, almost anyone can rent out space for profit as long as you own ...

Choosing Your Short Term Rentals Market

Oct 5, 20164 min read

You may assume that the ideal short term rentals market is anyone wanting to book your property for a stay. While all guests are welcome, finding your ideal market gives you the benefit of a far more strategic plan to attract the right type of guests. A good strategy that is targeted to the needs of...

Why Invest in Atlantic Seaboard Holiday Rental Property?

Sep 30, 20163 min read

Atlantic Seaboard holiday rental property comprises some of Cape Town's most sought-after holiday homes. From the iconic beachfront suburbs of Camps Bay and Clifton to the central hubs of Green Point and Sea Point, the world-famous Waterfront, and the quiet, exclusive neighbourhoods of Llandudno, Ba...

What Does Managed Vacation Rental Mean?

Sep 29, 20163 min read

What exactly does managed vacation rental mean? More importantly, how does a managed approach differ from a non-managed one? For many property owners wanting to break into the short term rental space, this can be a bit confusing. For starters, there is Airbnb and other listing platforms that allow y...

How Seasons Affect Short Term Property Rental Success

Sep 27, 20164 min read

Many budding property investors eagerly anticipate the rewards of short term property rental. Not everyone stops to consider the effects that travel seasons have on your success however. If you have the right property in the right area, you may easily find that your occupancy rates are high during t...

6 Ways to Make Your Airbnb Property More Enticing

Sep 23, 20165 min read

Your Airbnb property has had a few bookings, but compared to similar properties in your area, it just never quite seems to generate glowing reviews. If that scenario sound familiar, you're not alone. In the extremely competitive holiday rental market, appearances are everything. Your property itself...

What Laws Apply to Holiday Property Investments?

Sep 22, 20164 min read

Holiday property investments offer an excellent way to take advantage of the consistent growth within the South African tourism industry. In Cape Town especially, many property owners are making the transition from long term to short term rentals.

Does Your Vacation Home Rental Need Concierge?

Sep 20, 20164 min read

The vacation home rental market is known for its fierce competition – especially in popular travel areas such as Cape Town. Thanks in part to booking platforms such as Airbnb, anyone with property to spare can enter the short term rental space. Owning prime rental space is one thing. Catering to the...

Why Use a Holiday Rental Property Manager?

Sep 16, 20164 min read

Why should you consider working with a holiday rental property manager? Is it really worth the investment to partner with a professional, or can you go it alone and still get the same results? For many property owners, it can be all too tempting to try and cut costs as much as possible. But, while y...

How to Boost Your Airbnb Occupancy Rates

Sep 15, 20164 min read

Airbnb occupancy plays a very important role for those wanting to generate a notable income from short term rentals. It goes without saying that bookings are your bread and butter – having an empty, un-booked property is obviously never ideal. Aiming for a 100% occupancy rate is not always the best ...

8 Things to Consider Before Investing in Holiday Rentals

Sep 12, 20162 min read

Planning on investing in holiday rentals? Before you get too carried away, it can be extremely valuable to consider all of your options well in advance, so that you can safely and realistically get the best out of your property investment plans.

Dos and Don'ts for Vacation Rentals Success

Sep 10, 20164 min read

Vacation rentals make up a constantly growing percentage of the property rental market. In Cape Town alone, this market is rapidly evolving, especially as tools such as Airbnb continue to advance.

5 Lessons to Improve Your Airbnb Rental Success

Sep 7, 20164 min read

The Airbnb rental platform has allowed anyone and everyone who owns a property to benefit from short term property returns. While this is great for the economy (and for the holiday rental market in general), it does not mean that every property will be an automatic success.

Best Area for Vacation Rental Property in Cape Town

Sep 5, 20164 min read

As far as vacation rental property in Cape Town is concerned, location is everything. South Africa's Mother City is home to a wide range of neighbourhoods.

What Type of Vacation Rental Property Should You Choose?

Aug 31, 20164 min read

Vacation rental property types vary considerably. While the two most popular property types for short term rental are without a doubt villas and apartments, there are many other properties that do not fall into either of these categories. Cottages, free-standing houses and multi-tenant complexes suc...

How to Maximise Your Short Term Rental Income

Aug 23, 20165 min read

The lure of a high short term rental income is what leads many property owners to rent out their properties to holidaymakers. Many new property investors assume that making a fortune through holiday rentals is easy – especially in cities such as Cape Town that have a high volume of tourists througho...

Short Term Property Rental Mistakes to Avoid

Aug 17, 20164 min read

With so many jumping aboard the Airbnb trend, short term property rental mistakes are becoming a lot harder for some property owners to avoid. While this platform has made it possible for more people than ever to reap the rewards of vacation rental, it has also made room for a lot of bad decisions m...

How to Get Started as a Holiday Rental Property Developer

Aug 12, 20164 min read

A few people you know are making a killing on Airbnb, and you are seriously considering purchasing a holiday rental property to kick-off your investment dreams. Before you get too carried away, you first need to know how to get started as a budding property developer.

How to Prepare Your Property for Holiday Rentals

Aug 11, 20164 min read

If you have big plans on transforming your investment property into a space that attracts premium holiday rentals, you likely already know that visitors expect the very best. Sadly, as the rapid rise of platforms such as Airbnb continue to open up the market for new property owners, many assume that...

How to Choose a Vacation Rental Property Manager

Aug 11, 20163 min read

Whether you’re thinking about putting your apartment on Airbnb or you are looking for an experienced vacation rental property manager for your villa, choosing the right partner to help you maximise your rental returns is essential.

Long Term vs Short Term Property Rentals: Which Has Better Returns?

Aug 11, 20163 min read

If you are wondering whether it’s best to consider long term or short term property rentals as an investment, you may find yourself trying to weigh up a great number of pros and cons. The reality is that both offer returns to some degree. While long term rentals can be a great way to bring in steady...

The Rise of Aparthotels in South Africa

Aug 10, 20164 min read

Aparthotels in South Africa are on the rise, and, if tourism reports from the last year or so are anything to go by, this growth shows no sign of slowing anytime soon.