advice for design of rental property

[DuneAHH]

Ditto the comments re: PLENTY of comfortable seating for sharing time together. Also seated "dining" equal to the # the house sleeps (it amazes me the # of houses that sleep 15+ yet only have dining & comfy seating for 8.) If a big multi-story house ... having an additional upstairs laundry is nice. Outside shower & hoses for apres beach gear & body rinsing. Retractable clothes line for wet bathing suits & towels.

 

[tistheseason]

We have a big ice machine. It was one of the things we added at the last minute and have really enjoyed. It's amazing how much ice one needs while on vacation.

 

[dunelover]

Agree w/ so much of what is said above. Although we are only renters, we do look for the things mentioned. There are many choices, and I will be quick to choose one house over another because of the decor. I like to feel like I am at the beach and in nice surroundings inside as well too. I also look for a nice soaking tub in the master. The bedding must be nice and not look like cheap hotel or leftovers from the owners home. I especially like the homes that talk of the good mattresses they have. Barbeque grills are a plus, as well as stocked movies/kids toys/books.

You will do great because you are already seeking advice! good luck.

 

[InletBchDweller]

Wow! Great ideas and thoughts here! I agree with all, especially the kitchen ones Mermy. I cook and therefore I want kitchen gadgets.

 

[Jdarg]

I wish more people would build "normal size" single family houses (2 to 3 bedrooms) instead of the gigantic 5+ bedroom castles. Before we moved here, it was getting harder and harder to find a house for our family. The smaller ones book up quickly- we were having to reserve 6 to 8 months before our vacation. And we have stayed in many of the large ones too over the years- mostly they felt large, cavernous, and noisy. It was exhausting to have to scream to be heard or get up constantly to go find the kids buried somewhere in the castle.

I have a hard time believing that there are that many family reunions or 5 families packing into all the giant houses every week. Not all of the biggies in Grayton are booked every week- I notice when they aren't and lament what a sad waste of space just sitting there.

My wish list for a rental would be an awesome screened porch with great furniture, especially a double chaise or futon so I could sleep outside if I wanted to.....

 

[rapunzel]

I agree with jdarg about the porch...I have stayed in many wonderful houses with big porches and balconies and uncomfortable, afterthought outdoor furniture. The inevitable result was that we hardly used the porches. Another, much more modest house had two comfortable old adirondacks and a hammock and that made it one of the places I always remember fondly.

I'd also like to make a suggestion about the kitchen. I agree that going into a kitchen drawer in a four bedroom, Lovelace decorated beach house and finding the kitchen was stocked with the cheapest Wal-Mart offerings is very disappointing. An owner can go to a restaurant supply company and buy great pots, pans, plates, glasses, and utensils that will stand up to some abuse and still look and feel nice. If you are at all tempted to skimp on the equipment you put in your kitchen, go to a restaurant supply store. The renters that do cook will be very appreciative.

 

[tistheseason]

I agree about the porch furniture. I was sitting on our top deck this past week wishing we had better furniture. The problem is that you have to be prepared to bring it in if a storm is coming. That means it needs to be fairly light and small enough to fit inside the door. It can really cause some damage flying around the outside. Maybe a screened in porch is the key. . . .

 

[Jdarg]

I just came up with a great business!! Property owners that have their homes on a rental program can call us, and for a nominal fee, we can critique their rental through the eyes of a renter!

We will inspect the kitchen, sit on the furniture, bounce on the beds, touch the towels, rate the views, lounge on the porch furniture, do a cleanliness test....then tell the owner what needs to be added, fixed, replaced, re-cleaned, etc.


'Tis and Punz- I invite you to be my business partners.

 

[NoHall]

I just came up with a great business!! Property owners that have their homes on a rental program can call us, and for a nominal fee, we can critique their rental through the eyes of a renter!

We will inspect the kitchen, sit on the furniture, bounce on the beds, touch the towels, rate the views, lounge on the porch furniture, do a cleanliness test....then tell the owner what needs to be added, fixed, replaced, re-cleaned, etc.


'Tis and Punz- I invite you to be my business partners.

I have a better idea--I'll come stay in your rental property for an entire week, critique it (and do all the funn stuff that jdarg said,) and won't even charge you for my service. 'Twill be out of the goodness of my heart.

 

[tistheseason]

I just came up with a great business!! Property owners that have their homes on a rental program can call us, and for a nominal fee, we can critique their rental through the eyes of a renter!

'Tis and Punz- I invite you to be my business partners.

I accept. But it may take us a loooong time to get a good critique. We may have to stay there a while!

I have a better idea--I'll come stay in your rental property for an entire week, critique it (and do all the funn stuff that jdarg said,) and won't even charge you for my service. 'Twill be out of the goodness of my heart.

I think we were just undercut!