Truly exceptional listings have a number of factors in common. Here's a guide for how to build a remarkable listing from the top to the bottom of the page.

The Listing Headline

Your headline might be the single most important bit of text in your listing, so it's critical that yours is not just good, but GREAT.

A 5-Star headline Includes:
    •    Conveys the competitive advantage of the home
    •    Highlights an amenity or feature (ex. hot tub, deck, BBQ grill, WiFi, etc.)
    •    Describes the suitability of home for certain groups of travelers (ex. family friendly, pet-friendly)
    •    Specifies the distance to a nearby attraction (ex. beach access, theme parks, ski slopes)
    •    Uses correct spelling and consistent capitalization and punctuation

The Main Listing Photo

When choosing the main listing photo, select an image that is different from the others in your destination. Choose a picture that showcases something specific to your home, like your living area, balcony or hot tub.

The best thumbnail photo (as with all photos you select for your listing) is:
    •    Colorful
    •    Well-Lit
    •    Properly Staged (ex. no clutter, vases/fruit on the tables, etc.)
    •    Well-Framed (object of photo is obvious, nothing interfering with focus)
    •    Clear (taken with digital camera)
    •    Identifiable (can tell what the photo is of)
    •    Showcases the feel of the home (photos clearly depict the style of furnishings, etc.)
    •    Showcases views, location or amenities
    •    Unique or exceptional

The Photos

A picture is worth a thousand words and the Internet is a visual medium. Photographs are the most important selling features of your listing.

Your listing should at minimum include photos of the:
    •    View from your home
    •    Exterior of your home, building or complex
    •    Living area
    •    Kitchen
    •    Dining area
    •    Master bedroom
    •    Each additional bedroom
    •    Amenities (pool, hot tub, etc.)

The Photo Captions

Photo captions are your chance to give renters more information about the specific features of your home.

Terrific photos captions:
    •    Exist for each photo (something written below each photo)
    •    Offer specific details about the photo (details about amenities, not just name of room)
    •    Contain property type keywords (include location keywords for search engine optimization)
    •    Use correct spelling and consistent capitalization and punctuation

The Property Description

The property description is a short summary that should paint a clear picture of your home and the extras that you offer to guests coming into town for the World Equestrian Games

A standout description:
    •    Offers the property's selling points in first sentence
    •    Details the property type and size (ex. 4-bedroom villa, 2500 sq. ft. home)
    •    Specifies bedroom info and bed setup (ex. size of beds, amenities in each room)
    •    Lists amenities
    •    Describes the home's suitability for certain groups (ex. kids, family reunions, couples)
    •    Capitalizes select keywords for emphasis
    •    Talks to the traveler using “you” and “your”
    •    Uses correct spelling, grammar and punctuation

The Additional Information Details

The Further Details section is your opportunity to share any information that didn't fit elsewhere in your ad.

An outstanding Further Details section will include:
    •    Additional area info
    •    Additional property info (layout of home, history of home, etc.)
    •    Other area activities
    •    Golf or area info
    •    A link to personal site or virtual tour

The Contact Information

The owner contact information should be the most straightforward part of a vacation rental listing, but you'd be surprised how many second home owners make serious mistakes.

Complete contact information should include:
    •    The owner's name
    •    A phone number
    •    An alternate phone number
    •    The best times to call