Sybil's San Juan Connection Blog

5 Ways to Make Your Vacation Rental Stand Out this Fall

Sybil Mager (Island Group Sotheby's International Realty) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:36:27 -0600

Another summer season has come to an end. The days are starting to get shorter, the wind is picking up and the temperature is dropping. Whale sightings are scarce, kayak tours are not the same with the chill, and only the daring few are still sporting shorts. Yes indeed, fall is upon us!

The quiet season in the San Juan Islands is peaceful - watching the turn of the seasons, fewer crowds to be found, and enjoying the friendly banter in passing with those on "island time". Yes it calms down in the fall, but with a bit of work you can still attract those guests that enjoy the islands year round.

1) Who doesn't want a deal?

It's a no brainer that with the tough economy everyone is watching their spending. People need to feel they are getting the most that they can for their hard earned dollar - can you blame them? Evaluate your homes operating expenses and consider a night free with a minimum stay. Does the cost of one additional nights stay outweigh the income from three nights rental income? Not likely - offer 4 nights for the price of 3 - you just got your prospects attention!

Other special offers may be to specific groups: seniors, military, or specialty groups such as bird watchers, photographers, artists. Embrace those special occasions: anniversaries and birthdays. Don't forget about your past guests...make it appealing and enticing for them to come back again, and again.

If you're not offering a special of some sort expect to be asked to offer a discount, or more then likely you'll simply be passed over.

2) Competitive or set in your ways?

No amount of marketing will help put heads in beds if a property is not competitively priced according to the property condition, location, occupancy and amenities offered. If you're having trouble filling your calendar start with an evaluation of your property in the marketplace as it's changing and far from stagnate. Be sure your pricing is competitive and not out-of-line.

3) Change with the seasons.

The cool weather is rolling in so put away the beach towels, cotton sheets, bedspreads, and fans. It's time for cozy and warm - flannel sheets, extra blankets, down comforters, and throw blankets. Most of us think and furnish our homes for the peak summer, but consider what will make your home just as cozy and enjoyable in the off season.

Another way to set yourself apart in the fall is by taking advantage of the holidays. Add some fall themed wall hangings, decorations, linens, or rugs and highlight in your property description special items such as "turkey roaster, pie plates, extra large dining table, dual ovens" as it will help those looking for a place to spend their special occasion find it more easily.

Easily entice people by showing your home is season appropriate!

4) Time to really push what sets you apart.

Many guests have specific requirements in mind - they may be on a working vacation and require internet access, can't live without watching football on Sunday and require satellite television, or are looking for a romantic getaway and have their hearts set on a home with a hot tub and fireplace. Make sure that your homes amenities are highlighted - especially those that set you apart from others.

5) Highlight the appeal of your location.

Mention what others might not know about your homes location- walking distance to the ferry or private, tranquil acreage. Keep up-to-date with events such as marathons, bicycle races, golf tournaments, gallery schedules, and fishing derbies. If you're in a location convenient to special functions, point it out!

Remember, renting in the off season is often times one of the best ways for guests to get to know your property and want to return in the peak months. Your off season rentals, although not maybe the most lucrative, can be one of your best forms of advertising!

Sybil Mager
Associate Broker
sybil@sanjuanconnection.com
www.SanJuanConnection.com

Island Group Sotheby's International Realty
50 Spring Street, PO Box 777
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
www.IslandGroupSIR.com
360.378.2151 tel
360.378.3946 fax
360.298.0627 cell

Friday Harbor Log Home on Acreage - San Juan Islands

Sybil Mager (Island Group Sotheby's International Realty) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:18:12 -0600

Unique Island Estate!

Overview
Maps
Photos
Description

$1,295,000

Single Family Home
For Sale

Main Features

3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
1 Partial Bathroom
Interior: 3290 sqft
Lot: 19 sqft

Location

Lampard Road
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Sybil Mager & Michele Mayer

Island Group Sotheby's Int'l Realty
(360) 298-0627
realestate@sanjuanconnection.com
http://www.sanjuanconnection.com

Listed by: Island Group Sothebys Int's Realty

Our recent listings

Garrison Bay Estate-2 homes and a dock!
Unique Island Estate!
Friday Harbor Marina View Cabin, San Juan Island

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See more Friday Harbor, WA real estate for sale

Sybil Mager
Associate Broker
sybil@sanjuanconnection.com
www.SanJuanConnection.com

Island Group Sotheby's International Realty
50 Spring Street, PO Box 777
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
www.IslandGroupSIR.com
360.378.2151 tel
360.378.3946 fax
360.298.0627 cell

Friday Harbor Cabin for sale - San Juan Island Washington

Sybil Mager (Island Group Sotheby's International Realty) — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:14:04 -0600

Friday Harbor Marina View Cabin, San Juan Island

Overview
Maps
Photos
Features
Description

$319,000

Single Family Home
For Sale

Main Features

2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Interior: 896 sqft
Lot: 0.42 acre(s)

Location

575 McDonald St
Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Sybil Mager

(360) 298-0627
sybil@sybilmager.com
http://www.sanjuanconnection.com

Listed by: Island Group Sotheby's Int'l Realty

See more Friday Harbor, WA real estate for sale

Sybil Mager
Associate Broker
sybil@sanjuanconnection.com
www.SanJuanConnection.com

Island Group Sotheby's International Realty
50 Spring Street, PO Box 777
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
www.IslandGroupSIR.com
360.378.2151 tel
360.378.3946 fax
360.298.0627 cell

Vacation Home in the San Juan Islands - Why Not?

Sybil Mager (Island Group Sotheby's International Realty) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:19:44 -0500

Thinking of investing in a Second home or vacation home? The San Juan Islands, located in Washington State, offer some of the most majestic sights from ocean views to whales, and a multitude of activities from kayaking, biking, hiking and more. The Island's close proximity to Seattle and the Eastside make it easy to travel to the islands either by car and ferry, plane, or boat.

According to the Northwest Multiple Listing Services in San Juan County for the month of June 2008 looking at Single Family Homes and Condominiums there were 66 new listings for a total of 429 active listings, 18 Pending transactions (those under contract that have not yet closed), and 12 closed sales. The average sold price in San Juan County for the month of June was $914,799 while the median closed price was $501,250. Yes, our inventory is up, but so is our closed sale pricing....how many markets can say that?

Buyers, we have affordable waterfront -income producing properties-currently on the market. There are great deals out there! Limited land on the islands coupled with destination location status will continue to always make this an attractive place for buyers. Our close proximity to Seattle (Microsoft and Boeing) make the San Juans an ideal vacation home getaway. Our real estate values are solid and still affordable compared to other waterfront areas in the US.

My comments to sellers in this market: consider the 4 P's of marketing- Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Make sure your home shines when potential buyers come through. Qtip clean, clutter free, and if you need help staging ask a professional! You have all the control over making your home put its best foot forward. Make sure you price accordingly. You'll get overlooked by overpricing a home in our current market. You don't have much control over location...it is where it is. Knowing your audience helps with promotion. The internet is a cost effective way to advertise and hit a large number of interested consumers - locally and internationally. For specialty markets (such as the San Juans where people are contained on a ferry for hours at a time) print advertising is still effective. Promote to your target consumer.

If you're looking for a place that offers a little rest and relaxation and you've never visited the San Juan Islands you should consider doing so! Visit www.sanjuanpm.com for vacation home rentals on San Juan Island. There are a wide range of homes and prices. If you're thinking of a vacation home as an investment contact the experts in the Islands....Sybil and Michele at www.SanJuanConnection.com.

Sybil Mager
Associate Broker
sybil@sanjuanconnection.com
www.SanJuanConnection.com

Island Group Sotheby's International Realty
50 Spring Street, PO Box 777
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
www.IslandGroupSIR.com
360.378.2151 tel
360.378.3946 fax
360.298.0627 cell

Merging and Franchising - Sounds like a Win-Win!

Sybil Mager (Island Group Sotheby's International Realty) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 17:23:55 -0500

Business decisions as of lately have felt more strategic and more risky. Recently my business partners and I made the decision to merge our smaller, franchised real estate office with a larger, independent office while at the same time affiliating with an entirely new franchise (did you catch all that?!?!?). Considering we are in a small town (on an island rather) this is a pretty big shift in our market. Like many others, we're finding our inventory up, sales down, and even higher expectations from our clients. This seems like the perfect time for some change.

I think the number one benefit from merging is going to be the benefit of a stronger team. Surronding ourselves with other working real estate professionals (working being key) adds momentum and synergy to the group as a whole. Consolidating on overhead and increasing staff productivity is also a bonus. There's strength in numbers, right?

Sometimes I think franchising is misunderstood. Does franchising mean that a firm is no longer "local"? We're the same people involved in the community but we've just acquired more efficient business practices and tools while offering our clients global exposure! It sounds like a win-win to me!

I know change is hard for many to digest, but at the same time its exciting and at some times also necessary. I think with our current market conditions we'll be seeing more and more of this (I know the San Juans have seen several of these changes over the past several months). Hopefully it will generate strong real estate offices around the region with dedicated, working professionals!

Sybil Mager
Associate Broker
sybil@sanjuanconnection.com
www.SanJuanConnection.com

Island Group Sotheby's International Realty
50 Spring Street, PO Box 777
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
www.IslandGroupSIR.com
360.378.2151 tel
360.378.3946 fax
360.298.0627 cell

What will the summer bring to the San Juan Islands?

Sybil Mager (Island Group Sotheby's International Realty) — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:35:40 -0500

We're getting ready for that big summer push here on the island. Regardless of the increasing ferry fares, the tourists and vacationers look to be returning for yet another season. My husband runs a vacation rental management business, www.sanjuanpm.com , and bookings are looking good for yet another record season! The restaurants, variety of retail shops, and the kayak and whale watching businesses are all in full gear. The question many of us have is how will this affect our real estate market?

There's no question that the San Juan Island market is different from your mainland suburbia. Limited, pristine land and stunning waterfront can make a place stand out not to mention the tranquil setting offered to boaters and kayakers. I continue to love every minute I'm here on the island and I think we'll continue to see that from others...in strong numbers. It's true, our first quarter sales volume is down a solid 40% in 2008 compared to last year. Do I think our second quarter will be down as well? Yes, indeed. But I think that our market will suffer a softer blow compared to our Seattle metro market.

Who wouldn't want to be a buyer in this market? We have record listing inventories and certainly some motivated sellers and good buys. No, do not expect to come in and pick up a waterfront home for pennies on the dollar. There are reasonable values out there with solid investment potential. Although not a lot compared to years past, San Juan Island does have a wide price gamut of properties currently under contract - single family residences ranging from $185,000 up to $3,950,000.

There is something here for everyone. As baby boomers continue to look for second homes, investments and retirement properties I think its safe to say that the San Juan Island real estate market will continue to be a solid market to invest in and I think this summer, more then ever, we'll see people realize the value and concur that there isn't a better time to buy in the islands then now!

Sybil Mager
Associate Broker
sybil@sanjuanconnection.com
www.SanJuanConnection.com

Island Group Sotheby's International Realty
50 Spring Street, PO Box 777
Friday Harbor, WA 98250
www.IslandGroupSIR.com
360.378.2151 tel
360.378.3946 fax
360.298.0627 cell