2005 Bookings

[reddevil]

As it gets closer to spring, I just wondered how bookings were after a dismal 2004 (especially for Spain).

So far I have 11 weeks booked in my first year of advertising and would be happy if I could reach the big "20".

[Teresa]

As it's my first whole year of 'trading', I don't know if it's good or bad so far. Last year I didn't advertise my partner's property until April but had continual bookings from June to end of October. This year with own website, entries in various rental websites I feel it's almost at a standstill. Between 3 properties we have only 12 bookings so far. A couple of days ago I was contacted by another rental prop. owner in Deaux Servres in much the same state. As we are now almost on bread and water having used all my capital developing my 2 gites, I'm praying that things pick up or we'll be packing up before long. What about others?

[Linda Freese]

As it gets closer to spring, I just wondered how bookings were after a dismal 2004 (especially for Spain).

I've heard this from quite a few owners that are renting their properties on the Costa del Sol, but to tell you the truth I am experiencing the complete opposite!

I manage several properties as well as renting out my own and in the three years that I have been doing this, this is my best year so far! One property I have already taken 25 weeks work of bookings and the rest range between 10-20 weeks. I do think it depends on the area though. There is a lot of competition now on the Costa del Sol, so I always check my competitors rentals on a regular basis to see that my prices are not too high.

Good luck with reaching 20 weeks!

[reddevil]

Linda,

Well done, you must be doing something right and we would love to know your secret!

Do you do all your advertising via the internet (your own and other paid or free sites)? Do you have any other form of advertisement?

If you can get this kind of response in competitive Costa del Sol then there is hope for all of us.

[Linda Freese]

Hi Reddevil (What is your real name???)

I advertise on a couple of sites www.holiday-rentals.com, www.costavacations.com & www.holidaylettings.co.uk and between them receive the majority of my bookings. I have my own website with all the properties listed and have tried google ads but so far haven´t found that this works very well.

We have also had quite a few repeat bookings this year which has helped. Don´t worry, I´m sure it will pick up for you soon. I think the answer is to be quick in responding (I´m always on email, so can normally respond immediately) and to be prepared to be flexible on price during the low season. Also, always be aware of what your competition is offering!

Good luck!

Linda

[reddevil]

Linda,

My real name......ah, that would be telling and I would lose my disguise and people would just want to ask for my autograph again!!!

Thanks much for the information, I see that your advertising budget is only 300 per year per property, which I guess is only one weeks rental. That is a great return on investment and, as i said before, you must have found the right sites and with the right weekly rents - WELL DONE (now I need a clapping icon for you - Paolo????).

I agree about the quick response and am always checking me e-mails, but somebody has to enquire with me first

Seriously, I have made a reasonable start but now am getting greedy and want more.

Happy Bookings.

[Alan Knighting]

Could it be Paul I wonder.

[tansy]

37 weeks generated by holiday-rentals.com so far this year since January ...1 from VRBO.com

I had a really delightful lady stay in our Utah Beach house over the half term...they were booked to go to Lanzerote but daughter had ear infection so couldn't fly ...she owns a rental booking service specialising in Italy, Spain and Canary Islands...have a look she was very switched on and seems to be doing very well...it may be useful to you, perhaps have a look www.gwvillarentals.com

But I am happy with how things are going...it seems that more folk are coming to Europe this year which is a relief after last horrible summer

[DivineMrsM]

We're up to 15 wks which I think is pretty fine for a property that sleeps 14+. This is largely down to the fact that we've started to offer a per person tariff outside of the school holidays, along with midweek start dates when available. Any money is better than none!

Our main advertising is in Owners in France but we're on a number of freebie listing sites and have just bitten the bullet to pay to be on perfectplaces.com. We will also be going to holiday-rentals.com later in the year having decided not to renew with French Connections.

[Sue Dyer]

I've already shown off in a previous post but I'll update. I'm on 22 weeks so far and we've done a couple of weekends.

We're with www.internet-cottages.co.uk who also do France and Spain, but I obviously can just speak for the effectiveness of their UK operation.

Red Devil, do you parachute into rooms and the like? Not sure if those guys still exist, were always on at big exhibitions etc, Dad always thought everyone would get their pockets picked whilst looking up at them, but he's like that

[reddevil]

Sherlock Alan,

Well done, I will call myself that from now on!

And as for parachuting into living rooms, if the price is right then I will give it a go. Could be a bit difficult getting in through the windows though

RD

[jimadept]

Just got in a 2-week booking which is the summer holidays full, 1 July - 3 September, which I don't think is at all bad considering I only started advertising in early February. It might take a while to get September and October booked up, but I'm confident now that it'll happen. Following on from what I wrote in the heating costs thread we'll probably shut the place up from 1 November, or ry to get a long-term tenant in until the spring.

Jim

[Linda Freese]

we'll probably shut the place up from 1 November, or ry to get a long-term tenant in until the spring.

Hi Jim

Be careful when thinking of long term tenants, as by law, in Spain, long term tenants are allowed to stay 5 years in your property regardless of how long the lease is!!

Good luck!

Linda

[vrooje]

What is considered "long term" in Spain? In France a short term furnished holiday rental can be as long as 6 months, I believe.

[Linda Freese]

What is considered "long term" in Spain?

Hi Brooke

I think it´s 6 months + although I´m not entirely sure. I thought I would mention it as I have friends who rented out their villa on a "long term" contract for 12 months and then when the lease expired, their tenants refused to leave and the law was on their side! After going through the law courts (due to non payment of rent) they eventually got them evicted 12 months later! My point is that one needs to be very well informed on the legalities of long term lets in Spain - better to be safe than sorry

Linda