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Rental property owners and agents are frustrated with the number of prime weeks not yet rented this summer. A few have reduced their rates in order to stand out from the crowd.

For prospective tenants, we are sharing the message that it’s not too late to book! AND, that tenants can save significant money by booking with a local agency rather than a social media site.

My knowledge of the area and the properties in our inventory adds value, too.

I’m here to help with your plans!

609-967-7950 office or ann.delaney@tksir.com

In the fall of 2022, we had strong demand for the summer of 2023. Repeat tenants were ready to confirm reservations and regular visitors were activity searching to secure their rentals.

Yet the flurry of activity did not continue into the new year.

In talking with other agents also active in the local rental market, there are several theories:

1. The pandemic created a captured market. Now families feel more comfortable traveling, and can consider other options for vacations.
2. Rate increases pushed some tenants to look elsewhere for a rental.
3. With all of the new construction, our inventory has evolved. Large homes with pools have become the norm- therefore increasing the median weekly rate across the board.
4. Schools, sports and camps are back to pre-Covid schedules. Families have to work around these commitments, which in turn reduces the number of prime rental weeks.

So this may be a transition year that will force us to look realistically at the market.

In the meantime, we are thankful for the procrastinators to help fill the empty weeks!

Check List for Rental Property Owners

Bedrooms-  

launder all mattress pads, bed quilts, and blankets

replace pillows as needed

wipe out dresser drawers

clean under the beds

dust ceiling fans and AC return vents

wipe down blinds, window sills and clean windows/doors

Living areas-

vacuum all sofa and chair cushions

spot or professionally clean furniture as needed

organize or store away decorative items 

dust ceiling fans and AC return vents

wipe down blinds, window sills and clean windows/doors

Kitchen-

wash all dishes, glassware, silverware, pots/pans and organize in cabinets

toss any broken/rusted items (cookie sheets have a short life span!)

replace broken utensils and add items as needed for a well stocked kitchen

wipe out refrigerator, microwave; clean toaster and coffee maker

run cleaning cycle on the oven, clean the glass door and stove top/grates

wipe out all cabinets and drawers

organize under the kitchen sink

leave open space in several upper cabinets for tenants’ food

Bathrooms-

replace shower curtain liners and leave a spare

clean out under the sinks, and leave a few cleaning products

recaulk around the tub or shower as needed

Laundry-

wipe down appliances and clean lint filter

provide detergent appropriate for the machine

organize shelves and cabinets

Miscellaneous- inside

leave a reasonable supply of light bulbs, batteries and cleaning supplies

wipe out all interior trash and recycling containers

leave instructions regarding trash and recycling

Outside-

clean the outside shower- remove old soap and shampoo

check on the condition of the outside hose and nozzle

scrub down the outdoor furniture

rinse out the trash/recycling cans

clean the gas grill – including the drip pan

provide a grill scrubber for tenants to clean the grates after cooking

In addition to 40+ years of handling rental properties in Avalon and Stone Harbor, NJ, my husband and I personally own a rental property. My go to cleaning tools are Glass Plus (safe on most surfaces), Magic Eraser (cleans smudges on painted surfaces as well as other tough to remove stains), and a duster with an extension pole (ceiling fans and return vents).