5 Smart Home Upgrades That Can Take Your Vacation Rental to the Next Level
The Benefits of Smart Home Tech
Smart home technology has revolutionized the way that homeowners oversee their properties, and these nifty gadgets have taken the vacation rental industry by storm. Not only can smart home devices enhance your property’s security and make life more convenient for guests, they can add more long-term value to your home, since most of these installations are permanent. These technologies are also helpful to the day-to-day management of a short-term rental and can help make check-in and check-out easier than ever for owners and property managers.
If you’re a short-term rental owner looking to take advantage of the variety of smart home tech available on the market, we’ve got a few recommendations to check out. Today, we’re going to explore 5 different types of smart home technologies and how each of them can help take your vacation rental to the next level.
#1: Smart Locks and Keyless Entry
It’s easy to lose a physical key, but with the invention of smart locks, keyless entry for guests, inspectors, and cleaners is a breeze. When checking in and checking out especially, smart locks make the whole process a bit more smooth, since the host doesn’t have to physically meet the guest in person in order to hand over the keys to the vacation rental.
Smart locks can also improve security for the property by producing a one-time password or PIN that cannot be reused, meaning unauthorized guests won’t have the ability to get into a property once their stay is over. Guests also feel more comfortable–they don’t have to worry about losing their keys and getting locked out of their rental.
#2: A Smart Lighting System
When you make things easier for guests, they’re more likely to feel comfortable and at home at your vacation rental. Lighting can make all the difference, and installing a smart lighting system is a great way to upgrade your rental to the latest technology. Smart lighting allows you to remotely control the lights, making it easier than ever to manage the home when there’s no guests around.
Guests can also install the lighting software on their phones and control the lights themselves–this gives them more control over their environment, and instead of getting up and flicking light switches, they can do it from wherever they are lounging.
#3: Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are a great investment. Not only do they allow you to remotely control the heating and cooling systems on the property when it’s empty, they also are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional thermostats. Guests also appreciate this type of technology–if they’re hot or cold, a digital readout will show them the current temperature, and they can turn it up and down without needing to learn the nuances of your thermostat.
Anything that makes life easier for guests is more likely to get you great reviews and repeat guest stays, and a smart thermostat could be a smart upgrade that will make a difference for your short-term rental.
#4: Guest WiFi
WiFi is now a given for any short-term rental worth its salt, and installing your own guest WiFi system is more essential than ever.
Especially with business travel always booming, having your own Internet connection that guests can easily use is something that many people look for when they book a vacation rental. It’s important to give guests a way to get work done as well as to give them opportunities to be able to stream and use their own devices.
#5: Home Security Devices
With smart home technology constantly being improved, there’s one area that has had tons of innovation: home security. Installing a home security system will allow you to keep your property secure and is easier than ever. Taking this step can give homeowners peace of mind when they’re entrusting their property to guests who could cause issues. It also has the added bonus of stopping break-ins by alerting you and the authorities immediately if there’s unauthorized entry into the home.
Video doorbells are a good investment if you can’t afford a whole security system (along with its monthly fees). These devices are typically installed next to the front door and they give owners the opportunity to track who is coming and going on the property. This can help to prevent damages from large parties and record evidence of break-ins, theft, and other issues that may arise.
Stay at the Cutting-Edge of Smart Home Technology
Upgrading your short-term rental with smart home technology can have big payoffs. These innovations can give owners peace of mind while making life even easier for the guests that stay there. Guests are also far more likely to stay at a rental with smart home features, and they’re usually willing to pay more money. Taking advantage of the latest technology can also keep your property at the cutting-edge, landing you more bookings.
For owners looking to get a bit of the day-to-day work of running a vacation rental off their plate, LocalVR is driven by innovation and fueled by technology, just like the best short-term rentals. Our Local Pricing algorithm, driven by real-time market data and sophisticated analytics, helps us to ensure that our owners get more bookings, no matter what season. To learn more about how our program can help owners like you, visit our Program page.