Ready Made Curtains & Bed covers

At the risk of encroaching on each others trade secrets, as we who let out our apartments are all friendly (hopefully!) competitors, I just wondered how others were getting on with the task in hand? 

Is anyone yet able to asses whether private efforts or agency help is the most viable? 

Is the internet a good vehicle for advertising? 

Have you found it effective to market direct to certain groups such as golfers?

What criteria have you used when setting prices?

Have you decided to take a damage deposit?

Are you including anything in your blurb to suggest that behaviour should conform with the community rules?

Are you getting a reasonable response or finding it a struggle to get the bookings?

I don't especially want these answers for myself but just offer up the subject as one for discussion.

Cheers .... Terry 19b

Hi Terry, we are not letting our property really, but my brother has let property for many years on the Algarve, and he certainly found the internet a good vehicle for advertising.  He had his own web page and this linked to the company he used - owner's direct.  He found his most valuable asset was the property, and he gets a lot of return bookings.  He tried marketing to groups (yoga holidays) and found it limited the market.  If you are taking a lot of bookings then you should take a returnable deposit - even the best guests have accidents.

Just my opinion, but I think it is a lovely site and will get bookings for part of the year.  Prices are competative in the area, and likely to get more so.  It might be better to have fewer renters at a reasonable rate rather than lots on a cheap rate.

Any blurb should only focus on the great points and features - keep the rules for a printed sheet or folder on arrival!!!!  

Remember any profit is taxable - and the tax men in the UK and Spain do trawl the internet etc!!!

Good luck to anyone taking this route.

Linda