7 Ways to Get Your Short-Term Rental Property Ready for Summer

Summer will be here before you know it, and short-term rental owners are preparing for their busiest and most lucrative season. Whether hosting through Vrbo or Airbnb, prepping your property to meet guest expectations is vital during this high-demand season. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss seven proven ways to get your vacation rental ready and keep your calendar booked—from staging and deep cleaning to boosting your listing and amenities. 

Key Takeaways:

1. Summer Prep Drives Bookings: With summer being the busiest season for short-term rentals, decluttering, deep cleaning, and upgrading vital spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, and outdoor areas can significantly improve guest satisfaction and increase occupancy.

2. Airbnb and Vrbo Offer Major Visibility: Listing on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo gives hosts access to built-in trust tools, tailored listings, and a worldwide audience—making it easier to attract more bookings and manage guest expectations.

3. Amenities and Photos Matter: Updating amenities to fit summer needs—like beach gear, outdoor seating, or blackout curtains—and updating listing photos and descriptions with seasonal keywords can boost listing appeal and search rankings.

4. Smart Pricing Maximizes Revenue: Leveraging innovative pricing tools, offering early booking discounts, and adjusting stay requirements for summer holidays can help hosts optimize income during high-demand periods.

Why List Your Short-Term Rental on Airbnb and Vrbo

Choosing the right platform for your short-term rental property can impact your bookings, visibility, and guest experience. Vrbo and Airbnb are two of the most widely used and trusted vacation rental platforms, each providing unique benefits to hosts. 

Let’s take a look at what some of these advantages are. 

Trusted Booking Systems

Many guests feel more secure when booking through established and vetted platforms that provide payment protection, verified reviews, and customer support. As a host, you benefit from built-in screening tools and secure payment processing. 

International Exposure

Vrbo and Airbnb attract millions of travelers every year. Listing your rental property on these platforms instantly puts your home in front of a worldwide audience searching for vacation rentals in your location.

Customizable Listings

You can personalize your short-term rental property listing with house rules, seasonal pricing, detailed descriptions, and availability calendars to best fit your business goals. Smart pricing tools and promotional options can help you stay competitive all year round.

Host Tools and Analytics 

Airbnb and Vrbo provide performance dashboards that let you, as the host, monitor earnings, guest feedback, and bookings—making it easier to boost your rental property strategy and grow your business. 

Built-In Credibility 

Positive reviews are essential because they help build trust for your listing. Every 5-star review on Vrbo or Airbnb increases your chances of being booked by future guests, even more so during busy seasons like summer. 

7 Ways to Get Your Short-Term Rental Property Ready for Summer

Summer is the busiest and most high-in-demand season for short-term rentals, and getting your property ready plays a fundamental role in your bookings and guest experience. There are many things you can do to prepare your property for summer this year. 

Continue reading to discover seven proven strategies for getting your short-term rental property summer-ready with success. 

Deep Clean and Declutter Your Space

Before the summer traffic starts, your rental property needs to feel open, fresh, and thoroughly cleaned. This doesn’t mean just a surface-level wipe-down—it’s a full deep clean reset. 

A Step-by-Step Deep Cleaning Checklist:

• Vacuum and mop all floors, including under furniture and beds

• Wash all windows (outside and inside) for better photos and clear views

• Wipe down light switches, baseboards, and door handles

• Clean fans, vents, and air filters for better air quality 

• Sanitize drawers, kitchen appliances, and backsplash

• Bleach and scrub grout in the bathroom

• Replace or launder rugs, towels, and shower curtains

Quick Decluttering Tips:

1. Remove all personal items like unused décor or family pictures

2. Clear out expired pantry goods, old magazines, and outdated brochures

3. Organize closets and drawers so guests can use them freely

Stage and Upgrade Your Outdoor Space 

Summer season guests are looking for rental properties that allow them to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s a balcony, private patio, or shared yard, boosting this space can be a significant differentiator. 

Ideas to Boost Outdoor Appeal:

• Power-wash patios and decks

• Refresh or add outdoor seating (umbrellas, clean cushions, lounge chairs)

• Set up an outside dining area

• String up solar-powered lanterns or lights for cozy evenings

• Provide a small gas or charcoal grill, if allowed 

Optional Add-Ons for Extra Appeal:

1. Heat lamp or fire pit

2. Lawn games like giant Jenga or cornhole 

3. Beach gear (towels, chairs, cooler) if close to the coast

4. Outdoor speaker (waterproof, Bluetooth)

Refresh Kitchen and Bathroom Essentials 

Well-stocked, functional, and appealing kitchens and bathrooms can make or break a review. Enhancing these essential spaces with smart upgrades can make all the difference. 

Kitchen Essentials to Add or Re-Stock:

• Fresh sponges, dish towels, and soap

• Non-expired tea, coffee, spices, and condiments

• A welcome basket with wine or snacks

• Clear labels for trash and recycling bins

Bathroom Enhancements to Consider:

1. Replace worn-out towels with fluffy and soft alternatives

2. Add new shower curtains, bath mats, and wall hooks

3. Stock mini toiletries (body wash, shampoo, conditioner, lotion)

4. Include extras like a hair dryer and makeup towels

Introduce Seasonal Bedding and Rotate Linens

High-quality bedding is a simple yet powerful way to boost your space. It’s a little luxury that can be the difference between a standard review or a glowing experience your guests won’t stop thinking about long after their stay. 

Steps to Prepare Your Beds for Summer:

1. Swap flannel sheets or heavy blankets for breathable linen or cotton

2. Use lighter patterns or colors that reflect the summer season

3. Add lightweight comforters and extra pillows in neutral tones

4. Keep spare sets available for quick guest turnovers

5. Provide sleep-friendly extras like blackout curtains, white noise machines, or portable fans

Add Summer-Friendly Amenities 

Your short-term property rental should feel like it’s built for summer relaxation. Showcase amenities that boost the warm-weather experience. 

Top Summer Amenities Guests Want:

• Hammocks or lounge chairs

• Beach umbrellas, towels, and sand toys

• Outdoor dining gear or picnic baskets

• Coolers or ice chests for day trips

• Bikes or scooters

• Air conditioning with clear ventilation instructions  

Refresh Your Listing Photos and Description 

If you’ve made enhancements to your space, your property listing should reflect those improvements. 

Quick Tricks to Upgrade Your Listing:

• Revise your property description to showcase new outdoor space and amenities

• Use language like “ideal for family BBQs” or “perfect for summer getaways”

• Replace outdated photos with well-lit and bright summer images

• Include photos of any upgrades—especially in outdoor areas

Step-by-Step Guide to a Summer Listing Revamp:

1. Add captions that call out new features

2. Take new pictures during the day with plenty of natural light

3. Update the headline of your listing to highlight seasonal value

4. Mention local summer festivals, events, or attractions 

5. Re-tag your property listing with seasonal keywords like “patio,” “grill,” or “beach”

Optimize Your Booking and Pricing Strategy

Chances are you invested in a short-term rental property to make a profit. Don’t leave money on the table—especially during peak seasons like summer. 

Savvy Pricing Tips for Summer:

• Take advantage of innovative pricing tools like Airbnb Smart Pricing, Wheelhouse, or PriceLabs

• Raise your prices for holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July) and weekends

• Lower your minimum stay requirements to attract weekend guests

• Consider early bird discounts for guests booking 60+ days out

• Offer discounts for monthly or weekly bookings to help reduce turnover 

Conclusion 

Summer as a short-term rental property is your most profitable season—don’t let your listing fall behind. From refreshing your space with smart upgrades to deep cleaning and savvy pricing, these seven strategies can help your short-term rental thrive this summer!