After renting our primary house out for the last two years, the most common response that I receive from others is, “I should really do that too.” I am here to tell you that yes, you should try listing your house on VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner) or Airbnb. I often think the reason that many people are apprehensive is mainly because it is entering a realm of the unknown. Have you seen, The Holiday? If so- think of the experience just like that one. You and your renters each get to go somewhere new and exciting. It really is the next up and coming thing, so if not your house, then maybe an investment house made only for vacation rentals.
Reason 5: The platforms are easy to set up
Search Airbnb or VRBO and you will find houses, cottages, timeshares, tents, campers and boats to rent all over the world. All you have to do is click on the button that says, “list your property” at the top of each of these websites and it will walk you through the steps. You can even just do an analysis and see how much the comparable rentals are to your place. Just take the first step, if nobody rents it- no harm done.
Reason 4: It is really not that awkward to have someone else sleep in your bed
I know, it does seem weird that someone you don’t know is sleeping in your own safety zone. It really isn’t THAT weird. Go shopping, and get a brand new set of sheets and a mattress pad. Anytime that you have renters, it makes it easier to swap your sheets, with the renter sheets. Then, upon your arrival back, you can swap them again, and it really does not feel like your bed has been slept in.
Reason 3: It forces you to deep clean and declutter your house
Living with less clutter, really does make me happier, do you think it would you too? A de-cluttered home is easier to clean, and it feels like there are less things in your life that you need to do. Once you have a renter booked, it feels like your house needs to be cleaned from top to bottom. You can take different days to focus on different areas of your house; kitchen cabinets, closets and under beds. Also, go ahead and purge the clothes that you have not worn in a year and box up all those books collecting dust on your shelf. It feels great to have a deep-cleaned home!
Reason 2: It gives you extra income
When I say extra income, I mean probably at least one mortgage payment and your new sheets from Pottery Barn. Renting your house out through a vacation rental is one of the best sources of income I’ve ever received. Check out the comps (comparable properties) in your town to see what your house could be rented at per night, and decide if that would suit you. If I didn’t have animals, this could make me enough money to never work and just rent my house once a month. Imagine the possibilities if you had an investment property to rent this way.
Reason 1: It gives you a reason to get away
This is my favorite reason, because it involves my favorite thing to do: travel with my family. You have to find somewhere to go when your house is rented, so why not take a vacation? I think that traveling gives us the best family time out there. What a great excuse to take a trip together- and with the income that you are generating, why not take that trip to the Bahamas or Europe at the same time that your house is rented?
Creating opportunities for financial freedom 