Is your home ready to let? Everything you need to know before listing your holiday home

Owning a second home is a dream for many – a peaceful escape, a place to gather with family, or a long-term investment. But if your holiday home spends more time empty than enjoyed, you might be wondering: is it ready to let?

At Finest Stays, we work with second homeowners in Devon to turn exceptional properties into successful holiday lets. Whether you’ve just purchased a coastal cottage or have lovingly restored a country retreat, this guide will help you assess whether your home is truly ready to welcome paying guests, and what to consider before taking the plunge.

Why Let Your Holiday Home?

The appeal of letting your second home goes far beyond the financial rewards. Yes, there’s the opportunity to earn an income and offset the costs of ownership, but many of our homeowners find great satisfaction in knowing their property is being enjoyed, appreciated, and kept in use. There’s also something quite special about supporting the local economy and keeping independent businesses going by driving visitors to the area.

In addition, a well-managed holiday let can also help keep your home maintained and cared for year-round, particularly valuable if you live far away or only visit occasionally. Letting isn’t just about filling gaps in your calendar. It’s about unlocking the full potential of your home.

Start by Thinking Like a Guest

Before your property can become a successful holiday let, it’s worth stepping back and looking at it with fresh eyes. Imagine arriving as a guest – would you feel instantly welcomed? Is the space clean, stylish, and thoughtfully equipped?

Today’s travellers expect more than just a place to sleep. They’re seeking a true home-from-home experience, with comfort, convenience, and a touch of luxury. That might mean plush bedding, ambient lighting, a well-stocked kitchen with modern appliances – or simply the sense that every detail has been carefully considered. From the moment guests pull up outside to the way the living space flows, experience is everything.

Design With Your Guests In Mind

To maximise the rental potential of your holiday home, it’s important to create interiors that have broad appeal. While your personal taste plays a role in shaping your space, choosing a timeless and neutral style will help attract a wider range of guests, and lead to more bookings as a result.

Soft, light colours on the walls make spaces feel fresh and open. Washable paints and solid, easy-to-clean flooring aren’t just practical – they make maintenance between bookings quicker and simpler. These choices save you time, effort and money over the long term.

Quality furnishings are also key. Guests booking a premium holiday let expect more than the basics – they’re looking for thoughtful design, comfort and a sense of indulgence. Ensure there’s ample seating in communal areas and invest in good beds. Super king or king-size options make a great selling point, and zip-and-link beds offer flexibility for different group types, making your home more versatile. Guests are often looking for something at the same level or above where they live, or they’re after something completely different.

Know Who Your Home Will Attract

Not every holiday home suits every kind of guest. Is your home made for families, with space to spread out and a garden for little ones to play in? Is it a peaceful, romantic retreat for couples, or an elegant space for hosting wellness retreats or celebratory gatherings?

Identifying your ideal guest helps shape how you present and furnish your home – and how we market it to the right people. If your property is dog-friendly, for example, you might want to include practical extras like a dog bed, bowls, and outdoor taps for muddy paws. If you’re targeting young families, cots, high chairs and a safe garden could be the features that clinch a booking.

Check the Essentials

When it comes to guest satisfaction, the essentials really do matter. Start with the basics: after a long journey, guests want to settle in and relax. A welcoming kitchen with tea, coffee, milk and sugar already available makes a big difference. Providing basic condiments, salt, pepper and cooking oil is also appreciated – they’re small details that save guests from unnecessary supermarket runs. 

A welcome pack with local flowers, artisan biscuits and bakes or locally produced wine would make a lasting impression as soon as they walk through the door.

Your kitchen should be fully equipped for the number of guests your property sleeps. That means enough cutlery, crockery, glasses and pans – but also the things people expect without asking: a cafetière or coffee machine, toaster, microwave, sharp knives, mixing bowls and a corkscrew.

Elsewhere in the house, ensure there are pillows in varying thicknesses to suit different sleeping preferences, luxury soap and toilet roll in every bathroom, and quality bed linen and towels. Plus, keep your property smelling fresh with diffusers and air fresheners. The little things add to the sensory feel when they’re making themselves at home. 

For young families, it’s worth investing in a cot, high chair and plastic tableware. For dog owners, keep towels, bowls and throws on hand. All these items demonstrate that you’ve thought carefully about your guests’ needs – and it helps your property stand out.

Of course, no matter your guest demographic, reliable high-speed WiFi is a must.

Add the Finishing Touches

The extras are what transform a good stay into a memorable one – and make your property stand out from the crowd. A log burner for cosy evenings, a hot tub under the stars, or a smart TV with streaming apps can all help create a special experience.

Even smaller touches can have a big impact. A games console in the snug, board games on the shelf, or a basket of beach toys for seaside stays all add personality and warmth.

These finishing touches don’t need to be elaborate, just personal. They show that the home is loved and cared for, and that your guests matter.

Share Your Local Knowledge

Guests love to explore, but they often don’t know where to start. A personalised welcome folder or printed guide can really enhance their stay – and show you care about their whole experience, not just the accommodation.

Include recommendations for local restaurants, shops, pubs, scenic walks, family-friendly attractions and dog-friendly spots. Include a map or QR code with links to local events and venues. These insights help guests feel like they’re discovering somewhere special – and encourage them to come back for more.

Stay There Yourself

There’s no better way to understand the guest experience than to spend a night or two in your own property. From the comfort of the mattress to the location of the light switches, you’ll get a first-hand view of what works – and what might need adjusting.

You may spot little improvements that make a big difference: hooks for wet coats, a lamp for bedtime reading, or clearer instructions for the heating system. Staying over gives you peace of mind and helps you refine your property to the highest standard.

Why Work with Finest Stays?

Getting your property guest-ready is just the beginning. From that point on, managing it to a consistently high standard requires time, effort and attention to detail – especially if you’re not nearby.

That’s where we come in. At Finest Stays, we offer a full-service approach. We take care of photography, listings, pricing, bookings, guest communication, and more – allowing you to enjoy the rewards of holiday letting without the day-to-day stress.

Every property we manage is unique, and so is every owner. We take the time to understand your goals, your lifestyle, and what success looks like for you – then we make it happen.

So, Is Your Home Ready?

If you’ve been considering letting your holiday home, now could be the perfect time to take the next step. Whether your property is already in great shape or just needs a few finishing touches, we’re here to offer expert advice and practical support.

We offer free, no-obligation property assessments and can help you understand everything from compliance and preparation to pricing and promotion.

Your second home has the potential to become a place of unforgettable holidays, happy guests, and meaningful income. Let’s explore that potential together. Enquire about letting with us today.