What do you look for in a vacation rental?

I've been renting a house every year down there (Seagrove) for the last 10+ years. I always look for a private pool b/c my kids are young (6 and 9) and when they get tired or hungry they can jump out and go inside, and I don't have to leave the pool. I would think that since there are comm. pools close by you could get away with building a small pool if you decided to go that route. Also, I usually come down in May, and having the pool heated helps a lot.

Hope that helps.

we have been coming to Seagrove for almost 10 years too. We have always rented homes with private pools. Never looked at ones that didn't. This year we rented a home in Watercolor that obviously does not have a pool but the pool is only 100 yards or so away. We wanted to try Watercolor but would not have rented if the pool wasn't so close.

I would say if you have the $$$ put in a pool. It is a big part of our decision process.

When we were vacationing here, we only wanted houses without pools, since we could swim in a pool at home, the pool alarm was annoying, backyard pools are always like bathwater in the summer, and the pool in the back yard made us nervous with little kids around. A pool in the community or on the street was fine, and we used it maybe twice the whole week. I guess we are just weird though - we valued an outdoor shower more than a pool!

we have been coming to Seagrove for almost 10 years too. We have always rented homes with private pools. Never looked at ones that didn't. This year we rented a home in Watercolor that obviously does not have a pool but the pool is only 100 yards or so away. We wanted to try Watercolor but would not have rented if the pool wasn't so close.

I would say if you have the $$$ put in a pool. It is a big part of our decision process.

You can get a house in WaterColor with a private pool, but they are usually either extremely booked or the pool is a glorified bathtub.

I hope this doesn't get bumped into the business section, b/c this isn't an ad...I just thought I'd ask folks how important a "private pool" is to you when booking a vacation house?

My house is not gulf front...150 yds from beach in Miramar...and there is a community pool virtually out the back door. Nevertheless, the property managment company just extols the virtues of a "private pool."

We've already added HDTV's, wireless internet and things like that, so we aren't really jumping at the idea of spending a lot more, but if we need to we will.

Comments are appreciated.

Have you had a rental season yet? What are your renters saying or how well are you booked?

Have you considered interviewing other management companies? Do you advertise on VRBO, thus giving you an opportunity to "sell" the community pool and its proximity to the house?

I would try another season without a pool, trying new tactics, or try just one season if you haven't rented it out at all yet, before deciding to install a pool. Not only is it expensive to install but it is another big thing to maintain with moving parts attached.

It may just be a matter of lowering your rental rates accordingly, which is a lot better IMO than throwing cash into a big hole in the middle of a declining market.

In Seacrest our lagoon community pool is actually a draw because of its size and features. If your community pool has nice features, figure out a way to play them up in your VRBO or other online ads. See if you can find out from your neighbors how their houses rent and/or what strategies to use. Etc. Good luck! :wave:

I have never rented a home with a pool, as said earlier, we can swim in a pool in our own home. Even when my children were very young--we come to 30A because of the BEACH!! I have rented homes prior to coming to 30A, in the Destin area that you mention, and the blue water and white sand is what brought us not a swimming pool. If the community pool is close, advertise it. That is my experience.

My group has rented in April for the past 15 years & we never look for a house with a pool. The beach/gulf is enough for everyone! I don't think I've ever heard any of the children even ask about a pool.

Have you had a rental season yet? What are your renters saying or how well are you booked?

Have you considered interviewing other management companies? Do you advertise on VRBO, thus giving you an opportunity to "sell" the community pool and its proximity to the house?

I would try another season without a pool, trying new tactics, or try just one season if you haven't rented it out at all yet, before deciding to install a pool. Not only is it expensive to install but it is another big thing to maintain with moving parts attached.

It may just be a matter of lowering your rental rates accordingly, which is a lot better IMO than throwing cash into a big hole in the middle of a declining market.

In Seacrest our lagoon community pool is actually a draw because of its size and features. If your community pool has nice features, figure out a way to play them up in your VRBO or other online ads. See if you can find out from your neighbors how their houses rent and/or what strategies to use. Etc. Good luck! :wave:

Good points...no, I have not gone through a whole rental season. Bought the house in May...closed in June. Previous "upside down" owners were cash straped apparently, so they really didn't do much at all to make the property desirable to renters. We have changed all that with a total redecorating and upgrades as I mentioned.

I really appreciate the insight. I may see what 2009 holds first.

We do rent a house with a private pool. Only because when we are fixing lunch or dinner, the kids can still swim. We like a smaller community that does not have a pool, so that is why we chose one with a private pool.

We located the house we rent on VRBO - great website. I would put in your add that the community pool gives kids a chance to play with kids their age. Something like "fun community pool with kids of all ages". My kids to get a little tired of only interacting with each other.

Good points...no, I have not gone through a whole rental season. Bought the house in May...closed in June. Previous "upside down" owners were cash straped apparently, so they really didn't do much at all to make the property desirable to renters. We have changed all that with a total redecorating and upgrades as I mentioned.

I really appreciate the insight. I may see what 2009 holds first.

Contact kurt about professional pictures and a virtual tour. Professional pics make a huge difference in setting your home above the others.

We, too, are intentional non-pool renters. My feeling has always been if you're going to the beach, go to the beach! Swimming pools are a dime a dozen back home, so why pay a premium for one on vacation? I might consider offering another, far less expensive perk like free beach set-ups for weekly rentals, free movie rentals, etc. Play up all the improvements you've made to the rental by highlighting them in the rental description, and have great photos and/or a virtual tour as ktschris suggested.
Best of luck to you!

When we rented, we always wanted a private pool. We got so tired of community pools where a baby would poop in the pool and the pool would be closed for 24 hours. We come to the beach for the beach, but after the beach we just like to chill at the pool. Also, I hate having to stake out a lounge chair at a community pool. And it's tacky to put your towel on a chair and then leave for 4 hours. I also like being able to leave all of my stuff at the pool and not have to take it back and forth every time I go in and out. Plus it's closer to the bathroom and you don't have to take a cooler to the pool -- you can just step into the house for a drink.

Since your renters have access to a community pool, I wouldn't waste the $ to put in a private pool (which will then cost $ to clean and maintain and probably up your insurance costs.)

My big criteria for rentals are cost, location (how close to beach and restaurants etc), cleanliness, and overall attractiveness/amenities.

When interviewing a prospective rental company ask the following question:

Can you guarantee me rentals?

If they answer yes, get up and walk out they are lying. No one can guarantee rentals regardless of the amenities, features, and location of your rental. If they hem and haw around the question take note. If they give you the honest answer of they will do their best, but cannot guarantee any rentals you have a more level headed honest rental company.

We have always come down with large groups and a private pool is a must. All of our group love the beach but some would rather swim in the pool then the gulf. My wife will go into the gulf only knee deep but loves the pool. It is a great relaxer after being in the gulf.

I like access to a community pool but have never rented anything with a private pool. I've always worried about the safety with little ones. A pool can be a huge deal for people with little, little ones. It's easier to be in a pool with kids that can't swim than the Gulf. But your community pool would be fine for that. I would imagine that the increase in rentals would not be worth the expense. Plenty of houses stay rented w/o a private pool -- just work on the marketing end! Good Luck!

We have rented down here since 2002 and a private pool is a must for us. We love the beach but with little ones get tired pretty quickly. We don't like 'sharing' our pool so we don't really consider a house with community pools. I agree with a previous poster that the convenience of having a pool just steps out the backdoor is great.

On another note....We absolutely love your beaches and communities here. We want you all to keep your area secret from now on. I can't believe the growth in the past 6 years!

We are headed down sat (july 26). We are so excited!

Take the advice of any property management company with a grain of salt. We were told that we'd have to have a king-sized bed to attract the most rentals. Since we had a perfectly good queen we disregarded the hint and our rentals have never suffered.

I'd say Kurt's virtual tour would be a far better investment. We've never regretted having one and it's always brought favorable comments from our guests.

Another thing to consider with adding a pool is if your previous renters would pay the premium. Not based on wether they like the idea of a pool, but would they pay the additional amount or simply find an alternative. Ultimately if this is a second home and then a rental, do you want a pool? Go through your guest book and see if anyone has ever mentioned wanting a private pool.