To maximise the impact of your advert here are some suggestions
Include the minimum price at the beginning of your “Description” such as “From 250 euros” or maybe  “300 to 700 euros”

Take full advantage of the offer of  8 photographs, people are more likely to make an enquiry to adverts with the maximum number rather than ones without any or just one or two.

Make sure that you fully complete all sections.

Regularly update your availability calendar. You want to be responding to enquiries you can accept, rather than spending your valuable time replying with a “Sorry not available” email.

 

If this is your first venture into renting here are some suggestions:

Before you decide to go ahead and rent your property spend some time and cast a critical eye on it.

1) Preparing the property:
You know that feeling you get when you walk into someone’s home for the first time?

You should be aiming to give your clients that ”This is lovely” feeling.

Ask the following questions in every room: Does it need painting? Is the furniture in good condition? Does everything work? Are all electrical items working and are safe?

Remember once your bookings are coming in you may not have the time to re-decorate or get that new washing machine. Invest the time and money before you start renting that way your property is right for your first clients.
 

2) A safe place:

Most owners spend some time at their own property and obviously have things that they would hate to have damaged or stolen. If you don’t have a storage room one suggestion is to fit locks to a wardrobe or cupboard and keep your prized possessions in there. Your three bedroom property could be rented as a two bedroom, with the third bedroom with your private possessions safely locked inside.
 

3) Linen:

You need at least 2 complete sets of bed linen so one set can be at the laundry while one is being used. Pillow- cases seem to get the most wear so try and get spares  at the same time if you are buying new.
Towels look really nice in plain light or dark colours but can show stains too easily, so go for patterned ones.
Bath towels particularly, do not skimp on the size. In summer a smaller towel is OK but in the cooler months a big bath towel is brilliant.
Again at least 2 full sets are needed. There is nothing worse than running out of dry towels.
Keep linen not to be used by clients locked away. Some people will simply use all the towels.
Be clear in your advert what your linen changing policy is, mid week, weekly etc.
 

4) The Kitchen & outside:
Most people these days will expect a microwave, as well as oven & hob, kettle & toaster and a fridge with ice maker or freezer section. There should be sufficient crockery and pots and pans to cook and serve a meal for the number of guests your property sleeps
Make sure if you say that your property says sleeps x then make sure there is sufficient of everything for that number of guests.

If you are considering longer lets a washing machine is a must as well as a clothes airer/dryer and an iron & board.

Optional extras that cost very little but add a lot:

Barbecue
Reading material: paperbacks, magazines
Board games & playing cards
Radio/Music System
If you have a video recorder or DVD and TV then a selection of videos/DVD's makes sense. (Sunday flea markets are a good source for all these things)
If your property gets uncomfortably hot in the summer, floor-standing fans are a much easier alternative to ceiling fans, as you don’t have to fit them!
Air conditioning adds a lot of quality value to renting your property
Cots can be hired locally but remember in July and August demand will outstrip supply
 

5) The risks:

At some time you will probably get things broken and things can go missing, so if there are things that have sentimental value or are of great value, move them to your safe place.
Consider asking for a deposit to be held against breakages or damage.
Your 2-bedroom apartment that sleeps 4 might find itself with 8 teenagers annoying the neighbours.
Use a booking form to ask for the names and age groups of all guests.
You also must get your insurers to amend your house insurance so that you are covered for holiday rentals.

Keys will also get lost, so make sure you have spares.

Cancellations and no shows

That booking taken in October for July next year may cancel, so have a clear policy on cancellations.

6) Handling enquiries

Most people will contact you by e-mail rather than by telephone or writing (it is perceived as being without risk or obligation and also at no cost) Remember you must respond very quickly to all enquiries as it is pretty much guaranteed that the enquirer has more than one property enquiry pending. A quick response from you shows you care.

Checking your e-mails once a week is not good enough.
Some enquiries may seem to be strange/stupid/blunt/rude but it may be that the person enquiring is not familiar using e-mail. Be polite in your replies.
 

7) Accepting bookings

Think through the booking process you are going to use and stick to it.

If you use a booking form, use one that you can e-mail to the client, they print it and fill it in and then post it to you with the deposit. This becomes the contract with the client.
Low Season

Winter prices need to be lower to attract clients, we can all rent our properties in July and August but what about low season, be prepared to offer a discount for longer rentals such as four weeks for the price three?
Hire Dates:

High season most rent Sat to Sat, but as people want to take advantage of cheaper mid week flights, consider your policy.
 

8) How do you want your money?

Paypal: The money is in your Paypal account instantly, but will cost you around 4% to withdraw it.
Cheques: In Spain banks charge around 7 euros to deposit a cheque from a Spanish bank.
Be prepared to take cheques in foreign currencies but be aware that most banks do make a charge for this service, and foreign cheques even in euros can take up to 28 days to clear here in Spain, so find out what your bank charges. The time to clear a cheque needs to be accounted for in the date you ask for final payment.
Bank Transfer: The client pays the fee for the transaction.

Deposits:
Ask for percentage of the amount at the time of booking and the balance say 6 to 8 weeks before the arrival date. This way the client does not have to pay the full amount all at once.
Some ask for the balance on arrival either cash or a cheque.

Be clear in what your terms are:
Last minute bookings are a bonus, but as you cannot get the money before the client arrives you need to minimise the risk of ‘no shows’
Get a full name and address, telephone number, flight number and arrival time.
How do clients find their way to your property?

Some people meet their clients personally or simply send the keys, with directions in the post. Some even arrange the keys to be collected from a petrol station (A small fee to the petrol station)

Make sure your directions are very clear, a map showing your properties location as well as the full address and a contact name and telephone number

Photographs are extremely important, so they need to be as good as you can get them. Unless your bathroom is unbelievable the photo will show a bath/shower and maybe the toilet.
Use the photographs that show your property at it's very best, if there is not a good view but you have great communal gardens or communal pool then show them.
Some properties obviously will vary, but here is a general guideline of photographs in order of importance.

1. View or Swimming pool
2. Terrace/Patio/Garden
3. Lounge/Dining room
4. Kitchen
5. Bedroom
    

9) Prices
Compare what prices are being charged for similar properties in your area and be realistic.
If your prices are too high you risk losing bookings.
High season prices are the easiest to work out because your profit margins are widest, but for lowest season prices you need to work out what your running costs are, cleaning laundry etc. Don’t forget that if you have electric radiators then in the colder months they will be switched on and probably left on, so your electricity bills can be significantly higher.  Build this into your low season prices.
 

10) Contact information

The vast majority of people looking at your advert on the Internet will contact you by e-mail, but a telephone number is very useful particularly for last minute bookings.
Include the name of the contact person in your advert, people like the personal touch.

Good luck!