Home Sharing Tips: How to Rent Your Tampa Home to Vacationers

Some things are too good to keep to yourself. They need to be shared with the world. Some properties fit that bill, especially those that benefit from everything that Tampa has to offer.

Read on if you are considering making money by turning your property into a short-term let. We'll reveal the top home sharing tips to make it smooth sailing and profitable.

Familiarize Yourself With Home Sharing Regulations

In Tampa, you can't list your property for short-term rent without first checking the law. Otherwise, you could face fines. For example, current regulations in Tampa mean you need a license to operate a vacation rental.

You can get this from Florida's DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation). However, you should check as many legal aspects as possible, like zoning laws and restrictions.

An attorney or property management team can provide the most updated guidance.

Make Your Listing Stand Out

Effective marketing is the key to making an excellent return on your short-term rental. Hire a professional photographer with real estate experience and ensure you get photos of the exterior and all interior rooms.

You should also create a virtual tour to give people a better feel for the interior and layout.

When writing your property description, provide lots of information about the location. Include details on tourist attractions, restaurants, shops, and other relevant amenities.

Become the Perfect Host

Short-term rentals are an experience as much as a practicality for guests. Therefore, get creative about providing exceptional hospitality - if you impress guests, they will leave positive reviews.

Start by listing all the essentials a guest might need, like fresh linen, Wi-Fi, and toiletries. Then, add personal touches like baked goods, a basket, or fresh fruit.

Providing guidebooks about the local area is also valuable for vacation guests, especially if you include some personal recommendations.

Finally, ensure you provide guests with a phone number they can call 24/7 if they have any problems and are prompt and responsive to any queries.

Take a Professional Property Management Approach

Remember that a short-term let is an investment, so treat it like a business. Have systems and processes in place to manage it day to day, like maintenance requests and bookings.

It might be more straightforward to hire a property management team to oversee it on your behalf, especially if you have a full-time job and can't dedicate yourself to property management 24/7.

Don't Forget About Safety Measures

It's important to protect your guests. Review your vacation home and make a list of any changes to improve the safety and security.

You may want to add cameras to the outside areas. If you don't already have them, you will certainly need to add smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.