Having a go Marc is a great way of learning what works for you in your area.
Here's a couple more things (common sense) about finding your niche…
1) When you get the initial enquiry for a booking ASK a few questions – How did they find out about your place (eg/ website, friends, tourist bureau); How many people staying – ages/hobbies, etc; What their plan is or Why they are coming to the area (holidays? wedding? visit friends…)
2) Always remember to ASK your guests for feedback on what they liked (and if there was anything else they could make their stay more enjoyable).
Both these things – ASKING questions at the front-end and back-end – will give you some great information on how 'fine tune' your strategy.
The boat is creative thinking but it comes with risks. I agree with SHales, most people want to holiday near the water – they don't expect a boat supplied. Having said that, I have supplied a bike for cycling around the waterways (and a fishing rod). They are reasonably low-cost and low-harm items that hardly get used but allow me to make the rental fee higher.
In terms of the linen, I have my waterfront apartments fully-furnished and provide all linen, towels etc (I even try and put small bottles of shampoo and soap – just like hotels supply). Guests just bring their clothes!
My strategy is to differentiate my apartments from others by having a slightly higher quality fit-out & features, and a higher level of cleanliness and customer service. I do charge a higher price for the better quality, but I also attract a better quality of guest.
So, perhaps its worthwhile doing some research on what your competition is doing and then think about the type of guest/client you want to attract and then work on that as your strategy. Find your own niche – what guests are you aiming to attract? are you going to be the cheapest? are you going to be more expensive? what do you offer that other apartments don't?
I also did some analysis on length of stay – I didn't necessarily want to "touch" the apartment every day, so I market a niche for stays from 10 days and up to a month. Think about what your minimum booking strategy is going to be for the guests you're trying to attract…?
Remember, if you do what every one else is doing, you'll get what every one else is getting — so research and then focus on your strategy.
Here's 3 sites that I successfully use to attract short-term guests…hope these help )
www.stayz.com.auStayz is #1 for Holiday Home Rentals in Australia …. expect high traffic/enquiries. www.totaltravel.com.auAustraliatravel guide covering accommodation and attractions ….tends to get mainly overseas traveller enquiries). www.rent-a-home.com.auaccommodation listed by Property Managers & Owners for short or long stay …lower profile than Stayz but tend to get enquiries mainly from Australia.
Is property the answer or is just a method to get wealthy that happens for a few?
A good question and perhaps you could find the answer by having a read of 2008 BRW Rich List. Of the Rich 200 on the list, Property was the #1 wealth builder! 52 – property 25 – retail 25 – investment 18 – financial services 14 – services 13 – manufacturing 12 – resources 10 – rural 9 – media 8 – transport 7 – technology 4 – entertainment 3 – construction
Its times like these that the sage advice of J Paul Getty comes to mind:
"Buy when everyone is selling and hold until everyone else is buying. This is not merely a a catchy slogan. Its the very essence of successful investoment" (J Paul Getty 1976).