10 WAYS TO PREVENT WEAR-AND-TEAR ON YOUR RIVIERA MAYA VACATION RENTAL PROPERTY
Anyone who has been to the Riviera Maya knows that this destination comes with the world's best beaches and spectacular Caribbean breezes. It's a magical place to kick back, relax and leave it all behind, making it the ideal spot for investing in a Riviera Maya vacation rental property. Here, you'll find everything from inexpensive condos in upscale neighborhoods to immense luxury beach villas.
Those ocean winds of the Riviera Maya feel lovely during a vacation, but property owners will notice that the humidity and salt air found in beach destinations can have negative effects on a vacation rental property. Luckily, most of these problems can be eliminated or minimized by thorough and consistent property maintenance.
Whether you're managing your own vacation rental or working with a property manager, here are some simple but often overlooked ways to make sure your investment stays just as beautiful as the first time you saw it:
1. Perform regular property inspections
There's no better way to fix a problem than to nip it in the bud as soon as it pops up. Create a detailed checklist for checking common problems like broken blinds, dishes, shower doors, faucets and closet doors at least once a month. Inspecting after every time somebody rents your property is even better!
2. Oil your door hinges
Must beach home owners forget this small detail! The ocean air can make metal rust more quickly than in other areas, so make sure to oil your door hinges regularly to prevent a larger problem.
3. Check for mold
Another downside to the beach atmosphere is the mold, although it will easily stay in check when caught quickly. If every room of your vacation rental is frequently used, cleaned, aired out and checked, then it shouldn't be an issue.
Simple but effective solution: Mix a cup of baking soda with 3 - 4 drops of tea tree oil or peppermint essential oils in a jar with a lid. Close it, shake it up and sprinkle in closets, on mattress, etc. Let sit and then sweep or vacuum.
4. Dehumidify your property
A common mistake among new Riviera Maya property owners! Don't forget to dehumidify your vacation rental when it's not being used so that you can prevent humidity-caused problems before they even start. A dehumidifier is a worthwhile (and energy efficient!) investment that can save you big headaches down the line. You can also run the air conditioning a couple times a week to help cut humidity.
5. Flip the mattresses
Flipping the mattress once a month will help keep moisture and humidity problems at bay, and provide a better night's sleep for your guests.
6. Invest in hurricane shutters
Hurricane shutters may not be the most attractive part of a vacation rental, but they can save you big bucks over time! The Riviera Maya doesn't get too many hurricanes (less than one per year, and most don't cause extensive damage), but if a big one comes along you will be glad to have the proper shutters in place to protect your investment.
7. Regularly check your appliances
Salty ocean air isn't good news for appliances like washing machines, water heaters and refrigerators. While non-coastal homes can keep large appliances for decades, beach home appliances tend to have a much shorter life span. Check all home appliances like TVs, DVD players, computers, washing machines and even jacuzzi systems regularly to make sure they're in good working order.
8. Pool maintenance
Many Riviera Maya beach homes come with their own private pool to help you cool off from the Caribbean heat. You'll be delighted to find out that with so many palm trees, there are usually less leaves to fish out of the water. However, to keep the water completely clean, clear and sanitary, you'll want to find a reliable pool cleaning person or company to ensure that the pool is impeccable every time a new guest stays at your vacation rental. Several Riviera Maya pool equipment businesses even have eco-friendly pool cleaning solutions.
9. Hire a gardener
Tropical plants are easy to care for, but since they grow so much in a short time, a gardener is necessary to trim the grass, cut lower palm branches, cut down mature coconuts before they fall, and give some shape to climbing plants like bougainvilleas. Be sure to keep an eye on tree roots! In this rocky area with shallow soil, root systems can lift up pavement and crack patios easily.
10. Paint the exterior
Strong ocean breezes, tropical rain and Caribbean humidity can quickly make a beautiful paint job look not-so-hot. It's common for Riviera Maya homeowners to repaint the exterior of their homes every two years or so. The good news: paint and labor tend to be very affordable in Mexico! And it's the perfect opportunity to change to another bright Caribbean-inspired color.
