Tag: holiday homes

8 Things To Know Before Renting Out Your Holiday Home

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Renting out your second house as a vacation home is a big decision. And like any big decision, you need to think about a hundred different things before casting the die. The number of factors to consider in this case can often be overwhelming, but SaffronStays is here to help you out. We’ve narrowed it down to 8 things you need to know before renting out your holiday home. Trust us, it’s easier than it looks!

1. Expenses precede profits

Yes, renting out your home can be a lucrative source of income. But in the beginning, it requires a hefty investment. Consider maintenance costs, utility bills, staff salaries, insurance payments, advertising costs and prevailing tax laws. So while allotting a certain portion of your finances towards the holiday home, ensure that you have enough savings to sustain yourself until the business takes off. 

2. Remodeling is worth the cost

A holiday home is different from a regular home. You want to give your guests the best vacation vibes and that calls for some preparation. From the colour of the walls and furnishings, to basic necessities like toiletries and cooking appliances, to entertainment amenities like board games and bikes, you should rent out a holiday home that exudes a holiday atmosphere. Make it so that guests not only have a good time but also want to return!

3. Locality is an important selling point

Guests on holiday are unlikely to stay indoors all the time. So it’s best to get to know the surrounding area as well as you can. This way, you can save your guests a lot of Google searching and instead offer them a list of the top nearby restaurants, adventure sports or any other attractive features. In fact, this is a great way to sell your house as not just a rental but a complete holiday package!

4. Understanding your guests is key

Before you start marketing your house, understand what kind of guests will appreciate it. Senior citizens favour homes without a lot of stairs. Families with small children prefer spacious homes with amenities to keep the kids entertained. Couples prioritise privacy and look for romantic nooks like hot tubs. Understanding which guests will enjoy your home will help you reach out to the right people. 

5. Rental agreements exist to protect you

As you go through the process of renting out a holiday home to total strangers, you want to feel safe. The easiest way to do this is to ensure your rental agreement covers all kinds of situations. It will have your back in case of any misunderstandings of check-in and check-out dates, extra payable services, or even damaged property. So invest time and money in a tight, legal agreement and secure your future.

6. You need to be a people person 

Communication is key when it comes to giving guests a hassle-free experience. This includes promoting your home to potential guests, getting all the paperwork done smoothly and informing them of all the house rules. And at the same time, you must cater to their needs and keep things as easy as possible. So if you’re serious about renting out a holiday home, it’s time to turn up the charm!

SaffronStays Forest Trails, Pawna

7. Difficult tenants are a possibility

While most of your guests will come and go with ease, there could be that one odd guest who will stir up some trouble. But there’s no need to worry since there are several ways to be prepared. Background checks help weed out unsuitable persons but if that is not an option, a comprehensive tenancy agreement and charging a security deposit will do the same. You can also keep a record of all valuable objects in the house as well as take out some insurance. 

8. It’s time consuming

Last but not the least, you will need to invest as much time as money in this project. From redesigning your house to communicating with guests, every aspect of renting out a holiday home will require your time and attention. But if everything goes right, the result could pay you back tenfold!

Renting out your holiday home does come with a lot of responsibility. You not only need to be good at making your home guest-friendly but also adept at marketing it, and managing the logistics. But why not let SaffronStays take some weight off your shoulders? As an experienced partner in the field of vacation rentals, SaffronStays will manage your property with expertise and you can still reap all the benefits!

SaffronStays Fiesta, Nashik

Ready to start? Here are some tips on giving your guests the best experience.

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Use These 8 Hot Tips To Give Your Holiday Home Guests The Best Experience

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It’s very tempting to open up your vacation home for guests and set up a sweet source of income. But that income depends on guests not only choosing your home for a holiday but also having a great time there. Remember, you aren’t just giving them a place to stay but rather curating an experience. So use these 8 tips for holiday homes to provide your guests with the finest vacation!

1. Prioritise safety 

SaffronStays Ambe Moha, Karjat

The overall safety of your holiday home should be your top priority! That includes everything from having sturdy door locks to following Covid-19 safety protocols. Keep the house free from fire hazards, cover loose wirings and inspect electrical appliances for any faults. Depending on the locality, add amenities to prepare for extreme weather conditions. Cover all your bases, so your guests can get a sound sleep at night and so can you!

2. Get high-quality furnishings

SaffronStays Horizon 360°, Mahabaleshwar

Your guests are going to expect their money’s worth. How do you give it to them? With high-quality furnishings like plush sofas, Instagram-worthy lighting, gorgeous dining areas, charming outdoor seating and memory foam mattresses that make them go wow. No penny pinching here. Give them a luxury filled holiday and it’s almost guaranteed that they will return someday. 

3. Paint a visual picture

Kairos Athena, Karjat

Part of curating a holiday experience is making your rental visually appealing. Nobody wants to feel like they’re still at home, they want to feel transported. So, pick an idea and then bring it to life. Use soft pastel paints and light curtains to make your guests feel like they’re in the clouds. Or pick nautical wall hangings and deep blue hues to make them feel out at sea. Whisk them away to a place of dreams!

4. Offer a fun-filled package

SaffronStays Casa Manga, Karjat

Some people like lazing around on holidays, but most enjoy throwing themselves into a flurry of activity. So whether it’s a pool table, a swimming pool, or a disco room, load up your vacation rental with a bunch of exciting activities. This is one of those tips for holiday homes that will not only keep spirits high but encourage longer holidays. Plus, your guests will love having a range of options to choose from!

5.  Top-notch food for every meal

SaffronStays Grand Mansion of Saipem Hills, Candolim, Goa

Three meals a day means that food makes up the majority of one’s holiday time, so it’s crucial that you get this right. In-house cooking services should cater to the majority of your guests, but also feature a variety to keep things exciting. Local delicacies are a must-have. Should the guests feel like it, they should have basic cooking facilities as well as a range of restaurants in and around the locality to order in!

6. Maximum privacy, minimum contact

SaffronStays One Tree Farm, Karjat

An important tip for a holiday home is to give your guests maximum privacy. The space should allow them to feel free to be themselves and let go of all their worries. Highly trained staff who approach only when needed and a quiet surrounding locality are a few ways to ensure this. You should also get the formalities out of the way at the beginning itself. The less you contact your guests, the more they will appreciate you. 

7. Stay there once a year 

SaffronStays Nadnanvan Estate, Tamil Nadu

The best way to craft a superb experience for your guests is to stay at the vacation home yourself, at least once a year. Putting yourself directly in the consumer’s shoes will enable you to find any gaps in your service and fill them, find any faults in the amenities and fix them. You’ll come across that loose handle or the broken toaster, which otherwise may have been overlooked. 

8. Hire a middle man

SaffronStays Fiesta, Nashik

Hiring a middle man will make things very easy for you and your clients. Experienced middlemen can handle all the in-betweens from logistics and pricing to cleanliness and sanitisation. And they can do it with an expertise that only increases the value of your home. An expert vacation rental partner like SaffronStays can make sure that you are giving your guests only the finest service, while managing everything on behalf of you.

So there it is. Follow these 8 tips for holiday homes and yours will be ready to provide the ultimate vacation! 

Remodeling your holiday home? Make sure to avoid these common mistakes!

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8 Common Mistakes You Should Avoid While Remodeling A Holiday Home

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Remodeling your holiday home has to be one of the best adrenaline rushes out there. Exploring all those gorgeous colour palettes and laminate sheets is a journey of its own. The excitement that comes with pretty colour palettes and fancy laminate sheets is like no other. But slow down, take a breath. As delightful as it is, rushing into a process like this can lead to some mistakes. But we’ve got your back to ensure that that doesn’t happen to you. To make the best use of your time and money, go through this list of common remodeling mistakes one can make and then make sure you give them a wide, wide berth!

1. Not planning a specific vision

SaffronStays Beach Blues, Alibaug

Whether your vacation home is for your family use only or being made available for guests to rent out, it needs to have a unique selling point. Are you going for a simple, minimalist style with muted colours and clean lines? Or a bohemian style with quirky decor that is suited for youngsters? The layout, colours, furniture, lighting and decor should come together to create a signature look. Without it, your home just won’t have that spark you need for a refreshing holiday.

2. Sticking to old appliances

SaffronStays Gardenia, Kihim

Keeping your old appliances is tempting. But even if your holiday home is used once in a while, it needs to be up to date. If not, you might waste a lot of your precious off-work time just fixing things. WiFi, for example, is a must-have even during vacations. Ensure you have everyday appliances like microwaves, washing machines and hairdryers, in perfect working condition. It’s also best to opt for machines that are easy to use. Holidays aren’t meant for reading manuals!

3. Making it difficult to clean

SaffronStays Kairos Athena, Karjat

If the first thing you do on reaching your second home is sweep and scrub, then that’s kind of a bummer. Because these getaway homes are used only once in a while, they tend to gather dust. Which is why you should ensure your renovation makes the place easy to clean. Keep all those nooks and crannies easily accessible. Get reliable cleaning tools and definitely hire a caretaker-cum-housekeeper. After all, this is your time to relax.

4. Choosing affordability over durability 

SaffronStays SanvinaFarm, Karjat

It may feel nice to pick low-priced tiles and more affordable furniture, but will their prime condition last for years? For a holiday home, you need furnishings that will last for months and years on end, with minimal use/without use and still be in perfect condition. Beachside villas, in particular, need to withstand the salty sea air and sand. Think of remodeling your holiday home as a long term investment. The more you put in, the higher the rewards. Spending on sturdy materials will be more economical in the long run. 

5. Not considering entertaining the people 

SaffronStays Masaya, Alibaug

One of the crucial things to consider while redoing a holiday home is the number of people it is meant to A crucial thing to consider while redoing a holiday home is the number of people it is meant to accommodate. Homes for large families can include wide outdoor patios with cushions and fairy lights, whereas homes for couples or small groups should include cosy nooks for intimate talks. The capacity of the home will help you make decisions such as choosing between a macrame swing or a set of lounge chairs.

6. Prioritising style over safety

SaffronStays Masaya, Alibaug

Redesigning your home opens up a flow of endless creative ideas. But what you want, may not be what the house needs. So before you install those fancy kitchen appliances, make sure they won’t cause electrical issues. Avoid having too many sharp corners in small spaces. Stay away from pretty bathroom tiles if they are too slippery. Ensure the staircase bannister is not just charming but also strong. Whether it’s for you or any guests you might rent the home out to, safety is your highest priority!

7. Restraining the designer in you

SaffronStays Aurelia, Panchgani

Your holiday home is where your wildest dreams can come true. Pick the bright colours, mosaic tiles and glitzy ceiling light that you thought would be too much for your home in the city. Go for Portuguese architecture or French balconies. There’s no need to hold back since this house is meant for you to have a good time. At the end of the day, your holiday home should make you feel transported! But make sure it’s not a Jackson Pollock painting brought to life; you should highlight certain areas, and let the others compliment your statement picks.

8. Forgetting to add a touch of luxury

Last but not least, your holiday home should be a place where you can have fun! As beautiful as your house is, it may not be worth it if there isn’t much for a person to do. So while you’re remodeling your holiday home, don’t forget to add in those features that you would love to use on a vacation — karaoke systems, a dance floor with a disco ball, a foosball table, tennis lawn, board games, an outdoor bar by the pool, the list can go on and on.

Keep in mind the goal of the house — to be a place where you can let loose, relax and enjoy. Let that mantra guide you as you renovate your holiday home. All you need to do is avoid making these 8 common mistakes and you won’t go wrong. Let the remodelling begin!

10 WFH Villas For The Ultimate ‘Work From (The) Hills’ Vacation

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There comes a point in the WFH life when you begin to get bored of sitting within the same four walls and staring at the same old desk. If this sounds like something you relate to, then you need a change of scenery. And SaffronStays has your back! Our stunning holiday homes are a sight away from mundane work and perfect for workcations. Check out these ten villas for the ultimate work from home experience!

1. SaffronStays Anugraha, Karla

The elegant interiors of this luxury villa in Lonavala will be a good change from your home. You’ll have your own private pool for a refreshing break from work and the surrounding greenery will give your eyes a reprieve from the screen. Just like you, your pets could use a break from the monotony as well. So bring them along, there is plenty of open space for them to run around!

No. of guests: 8-12

Book your WFH: SaffronStays Anugraha

2. SaffronStays Elysian, Dehradun

SaffronStays Elysian, Dehradun

With a gorgeous exterior and interior — featuring rich colours and African paintings — this villa is the perfect place to find renewed inspiration. This safe haven, 20 minutes from Dehradun, allows you to relish the cool weather of the North. Wide glass windows offer up a spellbinding view of the mountains. Sounds like a good place to get in the work zone, doesn’t it? 

No. of guests: 4-8

Book your WFH: SaffronStays Elysian

3. SaffronStays Odeon, Khandala

They say one’s surroundings reflect their state of mind. If so, at SaffronStays Odeon you will find a peaceful state of mind, accompanied by rustling trees and chirping birds. Sitting in the midst of a 2-acre private forest, work from this villa with your friends or colleagues, to disconnect from everything else and focus on work! 

No. of guests: 8-12

Book your WFH: SaffronStays Odeon

4. SaffronStays Green Gables, Uttarakhand

Another hidden gem in Uttarakhand, SaffronStays Green Gables is a beautiful 3-bedroom stone house sitting on a hilltop. The verandah and the balcony are prime spots for you and your laptop, as they offer uninterrupted views of the mountains. You might even catch a dazzling sunset. The villa also has a telescope and board games to keep you entertained.

No. of guests: 6

Book your WFH: SaffronStays Green Gables

5. SaffronStays Ghughuti Ku Baasa, Dehradun

Why shouldn’t your workspace be as beautiful as your dream holiday? You can find them both at this 3-bedroom private homestay in Dehradun. Sitting amongst the hills, you can fill those excel sheets to the soothing murmur of the river nearby. Take breaks with a quick snooze on the hammocks and wrap up the day around a cosy bonfire!

No. of guests: 6-9

Book your WFH: SaffronStays Ghughuti Ku Baasa

6. SaffronStays RedFields By Venna River, Mahabaleshwar

Saffronstays RedFields By Venna River, Mahableshwar

If you’re looking to work from a villa, try this modern homestay overlooking Mahabaleshwar’s hills as well as a strawberry farm. The interiors are elegant and every meal will feature local produce and freshly grown vegetables. You can work out on the verandah chairs, with the view of the hills in front of you. Even chai breaks hit a different note here!

No. of guests: 6-12

Book your WFH: SaffronStays RedFields By Venna River

7. SaffronStays Aatman, Mahabaleshwar

Imagine interspersing your eight-hour workday with quaint outdoor meals — lunch on vibrant cushions, under a bright blue sky and dinner under a Jamun tree, adorned with lights. Sounds like a refreshing change? Grab your friends or colleagues and head to this luxurious villa in Mahabaleshwar for a lavish workcation!

No. of guests: 8-15

Book your WFH: SaffronStays Aatman

8. SaffronStays Tragopan, Gushaini

Himachal’s mountains and rivers are unparalleled. And it can be just what you need to revive that spark in you and get working. This gorgeous work villa is situated in the heart of Himachal’s natural beauty. After work hours, your group can enjoy the manmade river pool or chitchat around a bonfire. Night owls in the party can opt for the treehouse room for a workspace as unique as them. 

No. of guests: 3-20

Book your WFH: SaffronStays Tragopan

9. SaffronStays The Riverine, Lonavala

This private 5-bedroom bungalow in Lonavala is perfect for you and your friends to have a workcation together. Alongside marking your to-do list, you can also spend quality time with them in the pool or the charming gazebo or even at the outdoor bar. There’s no reason work should stop you from enjoying five-star service in your own private villa, right? 

No. of guests: 10-15

Book your WFH: SaffronStays The Riverine

10. SaffronStays Tudor Rose, Panchgani

Choose this charming Panchgani villa for your next group workcation if you want to feel transported to 16th century England. The exquisitely built villa is accompanied by plush furnishings that are great for long working hours. You can sit by the pool, enjoy the view of Panchgani valley or take a break on the swing. Should the holiday mood kick in, Panchgani market and other tourist spots are just a few minutes away!

No. of guests: 10-12

Book your WFH: SaffronStays Tudor Rose

You don’t always need a break from work to go on a holiday. And we, for one, are glad that workcations are a thing. So check out these SaffronStays homes, take your pick and work from these amazing villas!

If you are more into the idea of working around bonfires and barbecues, then click here

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