People who travel to Durban usually visit this town to do some Ballito sightseeing.
It boasts upmarket estates, restaurants, shopping centres, schools, hospitals, sporting facilities, and of cause beautiful beaches. An added advantage is being only 30 minutes away from Durban.
RENTING OUT YOUR HOME AS A HOLIDAY LET
With the ideal weather experienced in Ballito it is holiday season all year round and landlords can maximise their return on their holiday homes by renting it out.
Renting out your holiday home in Ballito does not mean that the holiday tenants will be willing to put up with substandard accommodation. It also does not mean that anyone of the street can rent your place.
The property has to be maintained to a certain standard and tenants have to be scrutinized before they can move into your place.
One of the first things a holiday homeowner should determine is what a good price would be for letting your house out. This depends largely on where the home is situated. Homes on the beach front will generally earn more than those further inland.
You need to do your research in order to determine what type of holiday maker will visit the area your home is in. Would it be someone that is willing to pay top notch for a home or one that has to watch the pennies spend. Be careful not to price yourself out of the market in your particular area.
A good holiday home should earn you an income all year round. Ballito is a prime holiday destination and you would be able to rent it out during quieter times too.
Word of mouth is the best way to advertise and if guests give you a favourably review, it encourages more bookings over time.
GETTING THE HOME READY
Holiday homes need to be practical and comfortable, but it does not need to be the most expensive furniture. Your tenants want to relax and put their feet up. Make sure the lounge suites are covered with an easy-to-clean fabric and that the furniture you choose can take a bit of a beating.
Do not buy the cheapest beds and linen. A good night’s rest is important when you are on holiday and sleeping in a lumpy bed will not be a good experience. Buying quality linen will also save you money on the long run.
Bathrooms need to be mould free and it is an added bonus, but not a necessity, to have some complimentary shampoos and soaps.
Make sure everything in the kitchen is in working order and the necessary pots, pans, crockery, and eating utensils are there. It should be inspected before a tenant takes occupancy.
If your house has an air conditioner and television makes sure it is in good working order and check the batteries of the remotes and replace if necessary.
ADVERTISING YOUR HOLIDAY HOME
There is no better way to advertise your holiday home, than online. Not only will you benefit from interesting holiday makers in South Africa, but it will also attract international visitors. Especially in the Ballito which is an area that regularly get visitors from overseas.
Before listing your property online, makes sure you have a set of high-resolution images and a video tour of the property. Get a professional to do this for you, you will benefit at the end.
The description of your property needs to be catchy and informative. Once again, do not hesitate to hire a professional to do this for you if writing is not your forte.
You need to list your calendar and rates and update it in real time. Also set your rent price keeping in mind factors like season, location, and the facilities on offer.
When all of this is in place have a look at the vacation rental websites. You get three main categories, those where you can advertise for free, those that are subscription-based, and those that are commission-based.
The most popular sites in South Africa is TripAdvisor, Booking.com, safarinow, and lekkeslaap. There are many others to consider but pick the one that works best for you.
You could also consider doing a website for your property. This will help you look professional and establish trust and credibility.
Although this might seem like a daunting task it is actually quite easy and there is lots of help available on the internet. If all else fails, get a professional to do it for you.
You can also work with an agency that will do all of this for you.
