Put yourself in the shoes of your potential guests. Would the photos of your property make YOU want to rent it? When a guest opens your property listing page, you have 30 seconds or less to grab their attention. The more images you have, the more interested a renter becomes, and the more likely they will inquire about your second home.
Photos to Include in Every Vacation Rental Property Listing
* The View from your vacation home
* The Living Room
* An Exterior Shot
* The Kitchen
* The Master Bedroom
* A Guest or 2nd Bedroom
Staging Photos of Your Vacation Home
* Your rooms will appear more comfortable with nicely arranged, coordinating pillows on the couches or chenille throws draped over the back of a chair. Fluffing cushions and smoothing blankets will help give the furniture a more polished appearance.
* You can make property photos colorful and interesting by adding fresh flowers, a bottle of wine, or an area rug to the scene. Angling furniture so that it fits the picture, not the room, is a trick of professional photographers.
* Your home will be more appealing if it season-appropriate. If you're getting a home ready for winter renters, use images to really set the stage for cold-weather travels. You can light a fire in fireplace, add downy comforters to the beds, or, if there is a hot tub, take the picture of it when it's turned on as steam rises off the water.
* You can make rooms look intimate by adding candles or using low wattage bulbs.
How to Turn a Good Property Photo into a Great One
* Light your fireplace, if you have one.
* Stand up on a chair so that you are looking down at the room instead of straight at it.
* Angle rugs to give the illusion of added length to the room.
* Open all of the blinds in the room, including the blinds on the door.
* Aim lower, so that the ceiling fan is not in the picture.
* Remove all unnecessary clutter from the shelves, tables, and other furniture.
When Framing a Shot, Ask Yourself:
* Are the rugs straight?
* Are there unruly cords from electronics or lamps?
* Are the wall hangings straight?
* Is there trash in the waste basket?
* Did your dog or cat sneak into the shot?
* Are the bedspreads smooth and the pillows fluffed?
* Are there unnecessary items on the counters or bookshelves?
* Is your reflection in the frame?
* Are there ceiling fans or lights in the top of the frame?
How to Write Great Photo Captions for Your Vacation Property Listing
* Many vacation rental portal websites like HomeAway.com allow you to write around 10 words per caption. You're paying for the space, so make it work for you.
* Each caption should describe in detail the contents of the photo. Let renters know the size of the bed, the number of guests your dining room table seats, or which mountain range your cabin rental overlooks.
* If you include specific area keywords (like your city name, nearby beaches, property type) in addition to specific property information like features and amenities, your property listing is more likely to show up in search engines like Google and Yahoo.
* Proofread your photo captions for spelling, grammar, consistent capitalization, and punctuation.
Property photos of a vacation home can really make the difference for potential renters deciding where to stay on their trip. Even a few small changes to your pictures can help show your home in its best light. All it takes is a little staging, careful framing, and good captions.