Lake of the Ozarks Vacation Rentals: The Importance of Spring Cleaning and Maintenance for Vacation Rentals

Spring Is In The Air!

Each year after the first of January, we begin preparing for the upcoming rental season. We send out notices to each of our property owners reminding them that their property needs a good spring cleaning. Along with the reminder, we send a spring cleaning check-list and a spring maintenance check-list. They can do the cleaning and maintenance themselves, hire someone or allow us to take care of it.

So what are the things we see each year that can affect Lake of the Ozarks vacation rentals or allow for less than stellar reviews?

1. Air Conditioning Maintenance

Probably the most important item is to have a spring AC check-up and cleaning. Over the years, we've had numerous AC units freeze up or go out during the height of the summer. in 95% of those cases, either the owner didn't have their AC checked and cleaned, or they did and were warned that they needed to replace their AC unit and didn't. I had one owner that was told he needed a new AC unit. He decided to wait one more season. His AC conked out just before the 4th of July! He lost 2 rentals while he had to wait for a new AC unit to be installed (during the busiest time of the year). He lost approximately $2,000 in net income. That was $2,000 more that he had to come up with to replace his unit instead of having that income help pay for the new AC unit.

2. Power Washing

The next thing that owners will overlook is power washing their Lake of the Ozarks vacation home, decks, walk-ways and docks. This is money well spent if you want guests to keep coming back to your property. This is mainly for homes, but even if you own a condo, ensure you are washing the outside of all your windows, your deck and the exterior siding on your deck. For homeowners, you want your deck nice and clean for your guests to be able to eat outside in the summer. It's especially important you clean your deck if you have a lot of trees around. Also, it doesn't take long for your dock, walk-ways and siding to get dirty. To retain guests year after year, you need to make a good first impression and remember you only get one chance to make that first impression!

3. Interior Cleaning

On the inside of your property, ensure that you are cleaning the baseboards, behind furniture, ceiling fans, inside your kitchen cabinets & drawers, behind appliances, under beds, slider tracks and the inside of trash cans. Be sure you're disposing of outdated condiments and if necessary, replacing stove top drip pans and that old shower curtain. Finally, clean your gas grill, replace batteries in clocks, remotes and keyless door locks. Stock up on AC filters, light bulbs, batteries and check your brooms, grill brushes and grill drip pans. Our list has many more items, but you get the pictures!

Be sure your property is ready for guests this season by having us take care of all your spring cleaning and maintenance needs. Our thorough process will ensure your home or condo makes a great first impression on new guests, helping you get return guests year after year. If you have a vacation property at the Lake of the Ozarks, and it's not on our rental program, give us a call at 573-365-3367. We'd love to discuss our program with you, and now's the best time to join us, before the season gets underway!