Some Helpful Tips We Learned in Beijing
The Best Way to Rent a Home at the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games
Beijing Tip #1. Location, Location, Location. Homes that are close to the major 2010 Olympic Games venues stand the best chance of attracting visitors in 2010. Accommodations located further from the events are not as desirable for visitor lodging, so be realistic with your prices. Properties situated on the best transit lines have the second-best chance. Search our listings from time to time and keep your prices competitive with the best prices advertised for homes like yours.
Beijing Tip #2. Price your rental home realistically. There are two types of visitors at the Olympic Games. First, there are a few corporate sponsors and Olympic affiliates. Often these groups want large spaces with the highest standards of luxury accommodation. These homes normally rent for the whole month, often at prices well in excess of $50,000.00. For the rest of us common homeowners who live in one to three bedroom homes and apartments, we need to rent our 2010 houses at prices that compare favourably with others on the website, and with typical hotel accommodations. Presently, the best of these apartment listings start at about $400.00 per night. Be assured, supply will far exceed demand, so make your listing as attractive as possible and accept reasonable offers- otherwise you will be left out in the cold in February 2010, just as many were in Beijing, people who let good opportunities slip by because they got greedy.
Beijing Tip #3. Only work with a reputable site like rentatthegames.com, which is the only home rental site with prior Olympic Games experience. Beijing saw a few shady operators who tried to perpetrate various scams on visitors, and it was a sad thing to see. Visitors who are traveling from far away places are placing a great deal of faith in us. They are at tremendous risk that you might abscond with their money, or rent your house many times over and then disappear at check-in time. Visitors need to be assured of the integrity of you and your listing. It needs to be well presented, verified, widely marketed overseas, and we must demonstrate real, proven experience at making successful home rentals in Olympic Games cities. This is what we do at rentatthegames.com, and we are the only ones who do it. Only by offering your home with us in the most professional manner will you be assured the best chance to get your property rented, and at the best price possible.
Beijing Tip #4. Set a minimum number of nights allowed for a booking. We would suggest four or five nights be specified for a reservation in your 2010 rental house or apartment. This will increase your potential market, because a great many games visitors do not stay for long. In fact, many Vancouver 2010 hotel rental packages include only three or four nights. If you demand one or two weeks minimum stay, or even a whole month, you will dramatically reduce your chances to rent your Vancouver 2010 Olympics property.
Beijing Tip #5. Determine how many people can live comfortably in your house or apartment. A sofa bed or a roll-away cot can be helpful in attracting guests who are traveling with children or a single friend. This could turn a one bedroom into a two-bedroom equivalent, with a corresponding increase in the money earned by your Vancouver 2010 Olympics rental home. You may also wish to limit the number of folks allowed into your home as part of your pre-qualifying process.
Beijing Tip #6. Get extra linens and keys. Your guests will be impressed with new linens, and you will be able to use them for years to come. Better still, each check out/check in of new guests will be far quicker and easier. You should have an extra set of keys made as soon as possible, especially if you use electronic security devices or if you deal with a property management company. You must also arrange cleaning prior to arrival, especially if you rent to more than one party, or if you intend to take a vacation during the games. Rentatthegames will provide these optional services if you wish.
Beijing Tip #7. Treat your guests well. A small token of your appreciation on the dining room table when your guests arrive will go a very long way. Remember, your guests are paying you a high nightly rate to stay at your home, and you want them to be happy. This will help you avoid having to deal with potential complaints and your house will probably be cleaner and tidier when your guests leave.
