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It’s time to maximise your villa rental potential. Leverage the Languedoc and its annual 300+ days of rays. The idea of renting out your home in Languedoc, south France may be appealing, but nowadays the competition is fierce. To be successful, you need a realistic business plan and some shit-hot (pardon my French) marketing. Laugh in the face of fools who tell you that a two-bedroom villa can comfortably sleep seven, or that you’ll be able to rent it out for €1000 a week, no sweat.
Many people buy a villa in Languedoc-Roussillon because they love it. Then they think about renting it out to cover their costs, and maybe make a little extra on the side (nice). Not everyone will be as smart as you, though. Read on for some tips on how to market your property the smart way.
SET THE PRICE
Deciding what to charge should be child’s play, if you do some research. Take a look at the rental properties on Crème de Languedoc for starters. Then do an internet search for 'holiday rental Languedoc' (or the name of whichever area your property is in). Look at the homes advertised, compare amenities and features, and you’ll see a pattern emerging.
DON’T JUST DESCRIBE IT, SELL IT
Reading other people’s ads for Languedoc holiday homes to rent will give you a good idea of how to word your own ad in an appealing way. Here’s an example: I was recently searching for a holiday apartment to rent in the centre of Montpellier; I logged onto and started reading through the homes on offer, which all seemed much of a muchness until the word “luxury” caught my eye. As in “luxury apartment in the very centre of Montpellier”. Oh, I do like a bit of luxury, me. And so central, too. That was all it took. I clicked, I looked, I booked. Game over.
ADVERTISING – WHEN, WHERE, HOW
Many people start making their holiday plans in January (remember all those TV ads for exotic destinations and airlines and travel brochures that pop up just after Christmas?). Try and have your advertising in place at the very start of the year. There are several ways to advertise: some you have to shell out for, others you just have to put in some effort. Try them all and see what works best. Internet advertising is a must. So is putting your property on Crème de Languedoc (unless it’s not in the Languedoc, of course, in which case we’re sorry but you’ll have to go elsewhere). Some folk make their own websites but to my mind, very few of them look good, or work well, or give enough information. I reckon you’re better off going with the experts, and a site that specializes in your area (but as Christine Keeler said, I would say that, wouldn’t I?).
There are plenty of options for print advertising, too; check out our Newspapers & Magazines Section for details. Less expensive is word of mouth. Seize any opportunity to let people know about your Languedoc gîte for rent. Ask family and friends to put the word out. Send an e-mail that describes your French home and ask them to forward it to anyone who might be interested. You can even use your e-mail signature to market your French vacation rental by putting a line or two of text (“rent my house in the Languedoc for your next holiday”), with a link to your online ad and your phone number.
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