6 Best AirBnB and VRBO Features for San Diego Homes | ProWest Properties

6 Best AirBnB and VRBO Features for San Diego Homes

At last check, short-term rentals under companies including AirBnB and VRBO were free and clear under the law in San Diego. Of course, we recommend catching up with the latest news before listing your own rental space.

So you’ve got a San Diego property ready to be listed for rental in our fair city. It’s clean, well-kept, and near popular spots for visitors and tourists. Wonderful! Short-term rentals are a solid way to make some extra money and provide people with a safe place to stay here in town. 

If you want to take things to the next level, however, there are six features we highly recommend. As you know, most rental sites offer ranking systems for property owners — promising premium listings and recommendation options for those who get the best reviews. We want to make it to that A list, right? Here are 6 ways to do it:

The Best Airbnb and VRBO Features

Poor and/or Beach Access

Folks coming to a beach town want . . . what else . . . the beach! Even if you’re specifying the drive or the walking path to access the nearest body of water, you are telling your guests that you know what they’re looking for and you’re able to help. 

Air Conditioning

There are thousands of older homes without air conditioning in San Diego. We don’t recommend listing an apartment, condo, or home for rental without first installing heat and AC. Sites including AirBnB offer air conditioning on the drop-down amenities menu, and folks expect that it will be necessary for a city with regular heatwaves like SD.

Free Parking

Why do people select AirBnB and VRBO options over hotels? For the quiet, the kitchens and the laundry facilities, and for provided parking. Try to identify at least one free space for your visitors.

Television w/ Premium Cable

It is no longer considered adequate to have a television set up with standard cable in your rental home. Be sure to acquire Apple TV, Hulu, Netflix, or a similar program for the families staying with you.

Wi-Fi

The same concept goes for WiFi. Clearly place your WiFi name and password on introductory paperwork so that your guests feel well-connected.

Fully Stocked Kitchen

Finally, make sure the kitchen is neatly organized and offers everything required to put together a simple meal. Plates, pans, pots, utensils and a roll of paper towels are considered the basics. We also recommend a coffeemaker with tea and coffee, salt and pepper, and a snack basket.

Cross off one or two of these feature recommendations and you’re well on your way to becoming a Superhost and making good money with your rental property. In case you’re interested in reading more on this topic, there are some more tips in this article.

We can also help you to locate a good rental or investment property in any part of town. Start with our Buyer’s Tips and then head over to search listings here. Happy renting!

What is Pre-Approval? Breaking Down the Home Buying Process

What is Pre-Approval? Breaking Down the Home Buying Process

There is a lot to learn about the steps you must take as you attempt to purchase a home. Here at ProWest Properties, it’s our goal to simplify that process as much as possible. Pre-approval is a step that is misunderstood by many. Let’s break it down so that working toward pre-approval on a home you love isn’t intimidating or confusing.

What is Pre-Approval?

Pre-approval is a conditional step on the way to becoming a homeowner. It is an evaluation conducted by a lender of a borrower to make sure you are ready to buy a home. Your lender will look for a couple of different things, including proof of assets, credit history and score, employment verification, and other types of documentation. Here’s more information on each:

1. Proof of income - Typically, you will need to produce your W-2 statements for the past two years, recent pay stubs that show your current income, proof of any additional income, and tax returns for the past two years.

2. Proof of assets - You need bank statements and investment account statements to prove that you can afford the down payment and closing costs. Your lender will also make sure that you have enough money to afford household costs while you buy your home.

3. Good credit - Most lenders will require a 620  FICO score or higher to be approved for a conventional loan. To check your credit, they’re going to be working with a credit bureau to acquire the information. The borrower (you) will fill out and submit a credit application, and there may be a fee involved. Once the score comes back the lender will determine if your credit meets their qualifications.

4. Employment verification - Lenders want to make sure you have stable employment. Self-employed homebuyers will be asked to provide additional information, including proof of income stability, location, and nature of the business, and the business’s long-term outlook. 

5. Other documentation - Your lender will ask for other documentation, including your social security number, signature, and other documents. 

Pre-Approval is Not a Guarantee

One big moment of confusion for a lot of people is what, exactly, pre-approval does for them. While receiving pre-approval for the home you desire is a good sign, it is not a green light for the lender to give you the loan. But, pre-approval does have some perks. For example, it can give you confidence while you are searching for a home because it provides you with a proposed budget. Next, it puts you the fast-track to closing. Because your lender will have most of your information, a mortgage pre-approval accelerates the loan process once you make an offer. Finally, it establishes your credibility as a homebuyer. It proves that you have your finances in check and that you are serious about buying. It also proves that you probably won’t be denied when you decide to apply for a mortgage.

Pre-Approval vs. Pre-Qualification

These two terms often get confused, but they are in fact two different processes for the borrower. This great chart from Investopedia breaks down the difference:

As you can see, pre-approval is a more intricate process involving more data. We recommend getting both pre-approval AND pre-qualification, if possible, to put you in an optimal position with your lender. Having these in hand will give you the clearest possible picture of what you can afford.

Next Steps After Pre-Approval

Now that you are preapproved for a mortgage, you have a better gauge on what you can afford.  It’s perfectly fine to go house-hunting now; your pre-approval shows the seller you are serious in the most competitive of markets.

Let us help! Our comprehensive guide for homebuyers will keep you moving in the right direction. Looking to buy during the holiday season? Here are some additional tips.