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Turning your dream into reality
We first met Jenny and Peter Bargh in 2002 when we first arrived in Florida. They were staying in one of their two villas in Indian Point, sheltering from the harsh winter weather in King's Lynn, Norfolk, where they live. I often refer to Jenny as the "Booking Queen" because, well....she is the Booking Queen. That's why they had two villas - she was so successful at filling one that there was no space left in the diary for them to stay themselves for the three months they like to spend here every winter, so they bought a second! Then they filled that one! Peter, on the other hand has a totally different talent...but that is for another website and another day.
I have been asking Jenny for some time what the secret of good bookings is, in the hope that I could bottle it and sell it on Ebay, pehaps. This is what she told me.........
A key to success.
For most of us it all starts as a dream, owning a beautiful home in Florida, becoming rich and living happy ever after. Yes, it can be achieved, but only with hard work, dedication and true enthusiasm.
When you are buying a vacation home, consider most importantly of all, how are you going to make it profitable. DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Especially the math ! We consider we have been successful and many people ask ’how have you made your investment work for you’? Difficult to answer that question as there are so many tiny factors in the equation that I couldn’t possibly list them all, but the main factor is the home and where it is and how you market it.
Choose a good location that will suit most of your potential guests. Chose a home which will accommodate families comfortably and MAKE THAT HOME SPECIAL.
Over 80% of our clientele are repeat bookers, not just 2 visits but again and again they return. WHY? Because we gave them what they wanted at the right price.
1. A great home in a great location.
All the facilities they will need, the additional TV’s in all rooms, Play Station and toy boxes for the kids, Games room for all and a lovely heated pool surrounded by tropical plants. They are on holiday in a tropical paradise, make it just that.
2. Quality standards.
Make sure the home is well managed, immaculately clean and well maintained. Replace things before they wear out and look tired. Furnish to the highest standard you can afford. My money goes on BEDS. Yes, beds. Guests that have returned and said, ‘ oh that bed was to die for, we had the best holiday ever, can we book again ’. Holidays are special, so give your guest something they don’t normally have at home. American King beds for master rooms and Queen beds for 2nd masters are important. Good quality linens are important too. Give them a touch of true luxury.
3. Frequent changes. A MINI MAKEOVER
Repeat guests (who, let’s face it are your bread and butter with honey) like to see that the home is ‘different’ each time they go. You don’t have to spend fortunes, but do change things around. Replace the odd item each time you visit or book a Mini Makeover Service .
4. The right price.
To us, a villa offers the same facilities to everyone all year round, pool heat in winter, air con in summer balances out the running costs so we offer the same price all year round. We include everything, taxes, pool heat, Internet, infant equipment. There are no hidden extra charges. We give discounted rates to repeat guests as a ‘thank you’ for returning and for all bookings of 3 weeks or more.
Pricing is very sensitive in such a competitive market and you need to use common sense. If I have a gap at short notice, then a reduced ‘late deal’ is useful income. Be a little flexible.
5. Enthusiasm.
Be enthusiastic in your selling. You need to believe in what you are selling and if that feeling doesn’t reach through, it becomes a struggle. Talk to your client, email them, be chatty and offer help. If you become their ‘friend’ they become your guest.
6. Advertising and Booking.
Have your own website and promote it widely. Speculate to accumulate is the old saying, and it works. Do your own booking, don’t rely on others.
Well, there are a few tips to success. We bought our first place in 1999, filled it so bought another in 2000. Then our son brought another into the family in 2004.
In December 2006 we bought our dream retirement condo at Champions Gate in Florida, sold the rental villas, became ‘rich’ in so many ways and now intend to live happy ever after.
In retirement from Short-Term Renting, I have started a Mini Makeover service in hope of helping out other owners who don’t have the time to dedicate to it. You can request details of the service through Dave and Jody Baker who have become dear friends over the years.
Good Luck
Jenny Bargh
So there you have it - Right Location, Hard Work and Common Sense!
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