Q&A with...

Sherilee Jordan, cottages.com area Manager for Devon

Q. How can I maximise bookings for my property over the Christmas period?

A. Over the festive period, the Christmas tree will be sparkling, the fire will be glowing, and the snow will be falling, so what better time than to photograph your property? Capturing photos of your property in all its Christmas glory will help to market your property for potential guests. If you’re a novice at photography, there are photography guidelines on our owner website with tips and advice from professionals. Making sure your home has plenty of decorations will also maximise its appeal to holidaymakers. The cottages.com website has a ‘Decorated at Christmas feature’, where guests can easily search for properties with a tree, as there is a big market for both large celebrations and cosy boltholes for couples.

Q. How can I ensure that the Christmas period runs smoothly?

A. The Christmas period may be a busy one, but when you see guests enjoying themselves at the property, it will all be worth it! Try and stay as organised as possible to make sure hand overs are stress-free and make sure that you have extra supplies on hand, so you’re prepared for harsher weather. It’s also important that you keep up with the maintenance on your property. Make sure you leave instructions for the appliances and heating and have a local handyman available to call in case you find yourself unstuck.

Q. How can I make my guests feel welcome at Christmas and encourage good reviews?

A. It’s always a good idea to have a Christmas guide for visitors, with a list of the best festive things to see and do in the area. A festive hamper is the perfect way to greet guests at Christmas. If you have good quality suppliers close by, adding local food and drink will be a lovely way to welcome guests to the area. For an extra festive touch, you could add some of your own baked Christmas goods, or some mulled wine that will no doubt get your guests holiday off to a great start. Not only will the special touches spread the festive cheer, it will also contribute to those all-important positive reviews.

Decorated at Christmas