How to make more money from your WA holiday home rental: 10 must-read tips

February 5, 2024

Thanks to the rising popularity of Airbnb and short-term listings in Western Australia, turning your home into a source of income is now more possible than ever. And with the endless rise in interest rates that Aussies are enduring, it’s never been more attractive.

Of course, you don’t have to make your home holiday home rental permanent. It’s up to you to choose when you lease it out—and you can even coordinate the times with your own holiday.

Making the most of your short-term rental takes some work, though. There’s a lot to consider, and it pays to do some research to avoid the pitfalls. This article gives you ten must-read tips on how to make your holiday rental listing shine above the competition and reap the maximum financial return.

1. Know your market

The key to all good marketing is knowing your audience—first, picture who will stay in your home. Now, you may argue that you want your demographic to be broad. However, every listing appeals to some more than others.

Ask yourself, are you happy to host parties? Backpackers? Or is your property a quiet retreat suitable for romantic getaways? Will you accept dogs or small children? And are your guests likely to be budget-conscious or extravagant? Once you know your market, you can successfully market your property to them.

KEY POINT: Need help clarifying your target market? Think of who you don’t want to attract, then work from there.

2. Check your competition

Next, it’s time to investigate the competition. Write down what you like about their holiday homes and what could be improved. Can you see any gaps in the market? Perhaps no one offers exquisite linens or has taken alfresco dining to a new level. Or maybe there are no locals properly catering for young families.

So, think of ways to create your niche. You could create a book lovers’ haven with enticing reading material, good wines and comfy chairs. Maybe you could create a place dedicated to yoga or fitness lovers. If you have a great garden, how could you optimise the appeal of your listing? It’s all about finding ways to stand out from the competition.

3. Create a remarkable Airbnb listing

Your online listing is all you have to get potential guests in your doors, so it must work hard for you. Make it descriptive, detailed and enticing. Avoid empty, non-descriptive words like ‘amazing’ and ‘fabulous’. Instead, use words that paint a picture, such as cosy, spacious, breezy or sunny. Include your house’s best features and assets and add details about the location. Is it three minutes from the beach? A five-minute drive to popular restaurants?

Finally, tell potential guests what they can look forward to (spa bath, outdoor shower, beach walks). Guests are always keen for fast Wi-Fi, good air-conditioning and dining facilities, so if you have these, let them know.

KEY POINT: Make your headline work hard by giving your property a catchy name and popping in more detail, such as “ 5 mins from the beach” or “dog-friendly”.

4. Invest in professional photography

Beautiful professional photographs are a small investment you’ll never regret. A well-photographed vacation rental home can give you an almost unfair advantage, and the price you pay will be nothing compared to the financial returns you’ll reap.

KEY POINT: Look for a photographer specialising in short-stay rentals who understands the importance of styling and selling the experience, not just the real estate.

5. Leave your personal touch

Holiday renters look for an experience, so to do this, personalise their stay to make them feel welcomed and looked after. Your personal touch is also an excellent way of ensuring more 5-star reviews, so it’s worth the effort. Here are a few ideas:

Welcome hamper: Everyone loves a welcome hamper, and the size and quality you provide is up to you. Ideally, though, it should match the level of luxury and expense on offer. For example, some fruit and a budget bottle of wine may suffice if you have a budget lovers’ holiday home in Mandurah. If you have a highly indulgent stay on Cottesloe Beach, consider adding bubbles, gourmet treats and even travel-sized-luxury toiletries to pamper. For a luxury escape in Margaret River, you may want to include wine from a local vineyard and a selection of local produce, bread and cheeses. And the icing on the top? Personalise the hamper with a short, handwritten note addressed to them.
Personalised messages: Gaining 5-star reviews is much easier if you create a relationship with your guests. And the best time to start is before they even arrive. Think of what they may need and communicate it to them. For example, if your guests have young children, tell them where they can find the children’s dinnerware and games. If they are visiting from overseas, ask them what interests them and if you can suggest places to explore.
Include signage and notes – Avoid long, boring documents as no one reads them. Instead, consider framing helpful instructions. Etsy has a range of excellent Airbnb signs you can easily edit and print out. Here are a few must-haves:
Essentials list (A4 size): Include Wi-Fi password, fire instructions, and all vital emergency numbers, such as medical, police, etc.
Instruction signs (A5 sized): Your guests will appreciate appropriately placed instructions, such as how to use the washing machine, operate the coffee machine, and find the light switches.

6. Give them an experience they can’t enjoy at home

Holidays are about escaping from the everyday and experiencing what you won’t get at home. Consider items in your holiday home that will indulge your guests, budget permitting. Hot tubs remain an eternal crowdpleaser, but if major plumbing is not in your budget, what about an outdoor bath or shower, comfy deckchairs, hammock or even a good selection of inviting books?

If you have a garden, ensure it is an inspiring place of beauty and tranquillity. Trim branches, remove dead leaves, position pot plants, and add attractive features like fishponds or bird baths. Guests also want to sleep well on holidays, so bonus points to you if they can sleep better in your bed than at home. Likewise, your sofa should be impeccably clean, soft and welcoming.

Even the most basic bathrooms can appear far more luxurious by offering plush towels, a touch of greenery and designer toiletries. Aesop hand wash and hand balm can get pricey but are a surefire way of winning over your guests every time.

7. Thrill them in the kitchen

Your kitchen is the heart of your home – it’s a place for food, comfort and company and a great place to win over your guests. So, if you can, splurge on a couple of attractive appliances, and you may feel your calendar and pay for the expense faster than you know it. Popular favourites include a coffee machine, beautiful cookware, a great toaster and a good microwave. And for the family-friendly, why not add a milkshake or jaffle maker?

Your guests don’t want to run to the supermarket when they first arrive, so exceed expectations by spoiling them with a bottle of wine, teas, milk, fresh local bread, some fruit, juice, sparkling water and a few nibbles. Adding cereals and groceries to your offering will always be well-received but may blow your budget. Still, many hosts swear that these indulgences pay for themselves.

KEY POINT: Many people have an emotional connection to the kitchen. So invest your efforts into making this room as homely, comforting and convenient as possible.

8. Provide takeaway menus and a local guide-sheet

Create a short, helpful guidebook filled with local places to eat, drink and be entertained. Anything helpful that removes your guests’ need to think will be appreciated. Menus from a few local takeaways won’t hurt either—and your local business network will be happy to have your support.

9. Show your commitment to the environment

According to the Annual Ipsos Climate Change Report 2022, 83% of Australians are concerned about climate change, and two-thirds think we should do more about it. So, doing the right thing for the planet will likely please your guests.

If your holiday house is architecturally designed to be eco-friendly — or sports solar panels and a rainwater tank, make this a selling point. But if you’re not there yet, you can still make the effort.

Guests will appreciate smaller gestures like recycling bins, recycled toilet paper, carry bags for groceries, and avoiding single-use plastics or energy-guzzling heaters.

10. Make it sparkle!

Thorough cleaning is hard work, but it’s worth the effort. We all want to feel like we’re the first guests in our holiday home. So whether you hire professional cleaners or do it yourself, ensure all handles and doors are wiped, floors are immaculately polished, and every surface is sparkling clean.

KEY POINT: Always check for stains on furniture or bedding. We may become complacent with our own imperfections, but these marks can be unsightly to guests.

Need help managing your holiday home rental?

If you’d like to generate more income without the hard work, contact Cloudbnb today.

Perth-based Cloudbnb can maximise your earning potential and minimise the stress. Our complete short-term holiday rental management service makes getting the most from your rental property (like 14% in passive returns) without lifting a finger.

We do it all: