Rentals: adjusting your prices to the seasons

Setting your price is never an easy thing. But one thing we do know is that it matters to adapt it to the best season for you.

How do you set your prices?

First of all, start by looking at similar rentals near you. Then at the places offering the same services as you. Also remember to check hotel prices so that you are not too expensive by comparison.

Next, work out the ideal season for coming to stay with you. For example, we have a favourite place up in the mountains. It is well out of budget in summer and throughout the ski season. But it is very affordable outside those dates. It goes easily from 700 € a week to more than 2000 € in high season. That way, the owner makes sure the property is let even in low season! Bear that in mind and find out what is going on around you. Letting your house at top price when everything nearby is closed or inaccessible makes no sense and will only bring you negative reviews.

Also remember to state in your listing what can and cannot be done depending on the season. To come back to our example, the chalet owner has clearly set out the skiable periods and the activities in his village. He mentions it again before you finalise your booking so that you know exactly what to expect.

Giving returning guests an edge

If you usually go through sites like Airbnb, you will know that they take a percentage of your rental as a “service fee”. And that can be a deterrent for some guests.

Indeed, on weekly rentals you can quickly end up with 200 € of service fees, pushing the bill above 1000 €. So you may lose guests who had not planned on paying that much.

That is why we advise you, when a stay has gone well, to tell guests to book directly with you if they want to come back. If they do, they save a little and you get the assurance of having tenants you can trust.

Now all that is left is to vary your prices according to the seasons! And if you would also like a few furnishing tips, they are right this way!