You put a lot of effort into marketing your vacation rental. You have a great-looking website, relevant information, and professional photographs. Plus, there's the time, energy and money you've invested in purchasing and maintaining the property.In many ways, all that work boils down to one critical moment: When your renters open the front door.While your marketing efforts, and any correspondence you've had, are what draws guests to your doorstep, their decision to rent from you has been based on no small amount of trust and logic: They may have fallen in love with the photos, but it's the location, budget, and their needs that made the decision for them.The thing is, people are emotional creatures. Your home won't leave a lasting impression because it had two bedrooms and a balcony. Instead, the tone for their trip will largely be set by what they find when they step through the doorway.Reward the trust they've placed in you with the quality, service and style they expect — or, even better, exceed those expectations — by staging your vacation rental. This attention to detail isn't just good customer service; building the perception of positive value will help protect your business and rates in the future.The Basics

Just like new. If you provide things like liquid soap or dish detergent, buy them in bulk and refill between guests. Be sure to remove any half-used products that have been left behind, like soap, shampoo, or perishable food. Andrea Angott, a PhD who studied real estate staging, said this in an interview with the Chicago Tribune: “People don't want to feel that the house they're buying is lived-in — that other human beings are shaving and brushing their teeth in [the house].” The same applies to your vacation rental; don't remind your guests of all the people who've used the space before.

Upkeep

Extra DetailsOn the day your guests arrive, there are small details that can help make your guests feel right at home:

Pay attention in your own travels, too. Do you like the way hotels fold the toilet paper ends into triangles, or the thoughtfulness of leaving mints or chocolates on the pillow?Remember: Your guests are staying in your vacation rental because of the style and services it has to offer, whether that's a home away from home for the travelling business person or an artist's retreat. Create your own standards for customer service to match the unique property you've already created!photo credit: jessyroos and rowen