I always tell my clients: renting out a second home is not just a way to cover running costs, but can become a real income opportunity. and, if done carefully, it can become a rewarding activity. I speak from experience: when I started with Vayadù, I started by renting out the family beach house.From there, the venture expanded until it became a real business. People trusted my taste and experience and entrusted me with their properties. Perhaps you have an apartment by the sea that your grandmother bought years ago, and you’re wondering: by renting out the family beach house Should I rent out my second home to tourists?
In this article, I want to share with you what I have learned in the field over many years of experience.A comprehensive guide to understanding how to proceed, what aspects to consider, mistakes to avoid, and how to get the most out of your property. Get ready to discover everything you need to transform your second home into a welcoming and profitable vacation rental, with the practical advice I give my clients every day.
Why rent a second home?
The reasons vary and often overlap, telling similar stories: some leave to earn extra income, others want to keep the family home alive, while others simply want to share it with tourists. Reasons for renting include:
- extra income: renting out a second home to tourists can become a stable source of income, especially if the property is located in a tourist area or is well connected;
- Constant maintenance: a house that is lived in regularly deteriorates less than a house that is left empty for months.
- property enhancement: a well-maintained home retains its value better over time.
Let’s consider, for example, an apartment in the center of Finale Ligure that you use for three weeks between July and August. Leaving it empty for 10-11 months of the year means missing out on an important opportunity.. On the contrary, placing it on the short-term rental market allows you to attract tourists all year round.
Renting out your second home: where to start
The first step is to clarify the type of rental you want to offer:
- short-term tourist rental: lasts from a few days to a few weeks and is the most popular with tourists. It requires more dynamic management, with frequent cleaning and reception services, but also offers higher profit margins;
- medium- to long-term rentals: easier to manage because they reduce guest turnover, but with lower average returns than short-term rentals.
In most cases, if the goal is to maximize profitability and target travelers, the best solution is to rent out the second home to tourists.
Bureaucratic and tax aspects
Many people think that uploading two photos to Airbnb is enough to get started, but in reality, there is a lot of bureaucracy involved in doing things properly and in compliance with the law. Before you start, it is therefore essential to find out about the requirements for renting out your second home:
- tourist rental notification: in many regions, it is mandatory to register the house as tourist accommodation with the municipality or region;
- CIN – national identification code: This is a unique code that is mandatory in many Italian regions for tourist rentals. It is issued by the competent authorities (region or municipality) and must always be indicated in online advertisements on portals such as Airbnb and Booking, but also displayed visibly outside the building or on the intercom, as required by many regional regulations. It serves to ensure transparency and legality, and is one of the first checks carried out by the authorities.
- taxes: income from tourist rentals must be declared. You can opt for the flat tax, a substitute tax with a fixed rate (often 21%) that simplifies tax management and avoids additional charges, or ordinary taxation, which requires rental income to be included in your income tax return at progressive rates, but allows you to deduct any expenses. The choice depends on your total income and should be carefully considered, preferably with the help of an accountant;
- public safety communications: guest data must be sent to the Alloggiati Web portal of the State Police.
These aspects may seem complex, but if managed well, they become routine. This is where I come in: thanks to my experience, I can simplify the bureaucratic side of things and guide you step by step, so that your second home can be rented out to tourists in full compliance with the rules and without stress.
How to prepare your home for your guests
The difference between a house that “rents” and one that “really works” lies in the details.They are never a mere embellishment but what really makes the difference. Details convey care, inspire confidence, and provide comfort: they are the ones that get you good reviews and encourage guests to speak highly of you online and come back.. Preparing your second home for tourism means making it welcoming and functional:
- cleanliness: essential. Guests place a high value on cleanliness, and a neagative review can damage your online reputation.
- furniture: it is better to focus on practical and durable furniture that will last over time and can be used without fear, rather than an expensive designer piece that is beautiful to look at but not very functional. That said, however, don’t sacrifice aesthetics;
- modern comfortsFast Wi-Fi, air conditioning, smart TV, washing machine. These are now considered standard features.
- atmosphere: small decorative details, paintings, and coordinated textiles convey care and attention.
An exemple Casa di Pina in the Langhe region, part of the Vayadù circuit: a panoramic terrace, bright kitchen, and tastefully furnished rooms. It is not just an apartment, it is a retreat nestled among the vineyards where guests immediately begin to enjoy their vacation, feeling welcome and at ease.
Where to advertise your second home
Once ready, your home needs to be showcased: nowadays, it is essential to make yourself known. Without good communication, you risk remaining invisible, even if you have the perfect apartment. Today, the main channels for renting out your second home and getting it noticed by tourists are:
- online portals: Airbnb, Booking, Vrbo. They offer immediate visibility but charge commissions;
- social media: Instagram and Facebook help build a community and communicate the personality of the home;
- siti dedicati: avere un sito web o essere presenti in network come Vayadù aumenta la credibilità e permette di gestire prenotazioni dirette.
The combination of these tools is key to reaching different audiences and ensuring a steady stream of requests.. However, these are very costly and complex activities that require marketing and management skills that are not always available to those who rent independently. That’s why relying on me as a property manager can really make a difference: I take care of strategy, communication, and visibility, so that your home never remains in the shadows. For example, I take care of professional photo and video shoots also with a drone writing home presentation e home books by an expert copywriter Meta advertising and social media presence on my accounts Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
How much can you really earn by renting out your second home?
There is no one-size-fits-all figure, and I see this every day when working with my clients: some people cover their annual expenses with a small beach house, while others, with a larger villa, manage to generate a significant additional income. Much depends on management choices and how the house is presented and maintained. For example, it depends on factors such as:
- location: a house in the center of Sanremo or near the sea will have much higher potential than an apartment in a less touristy area;
- seasonality: in Liguria and Piedmont—the regions where Vayadù operates—the high season is concentrated in summer and on weekends in spring and fall, but in the Langhe region, the truffle season (especially between October and November) attracts tourists from all over the world and tends to increase demand and rates, with a peak in requests also in the fall months.
- property type: a villa with a swimming pool in Andora will have much higher rates than a two-room apartment in the city.
An example? Villa Le Onde in Andora, with a garden, swimming pool, and sea view: it can command premium prices even out of season thanks to the extra services it offers.
Common mistakes to avoid
Many owners jump into vacation rentals without a real strategy, driven by enthusiasm or the rush to make money. But the truth is that an improvised approach almost always leads to disappointment. Over the years, I have seen the same pattern repeat itself: homes with so much potential that remained untapped due to avoidable mistakes.
Here are the most common ones, which can really make a difference:
- bad photos: images are your first calling card. A dark or blurry photo can drive away hundreds of potential guests. Investing in a professional photo shoot means presenting your home in the right way and exponentially increasing bookings;
- non-competitive prices: setting a price without analyzing the local market leads to disastrous results. Prices that are too high discourage buyers, while prices that are too low devalue the home and attract careless guests;
- lack of transparency: vague descriptions or important omissions generate mistrust and, almost always, negative reviews. Being clear, even about minor flaws, always pays off;
- improvised management: slow responses to messages, complicated check-ins, lack of assistance in case of problems. All of this weighs heavily on reviews and discourages repeat visits.
Those who learn to avoid these mistakes not only increase their chances of receiving positive reviews, but also transform their second home into a stable source of income and satisfaction, both for themselves and their guests.
Renting your second home to tourists: the value of reviews
In the previous paragraph, I often mentioned reviews. And I didn’t do it randomly. In the digital age, reputation is everything. Online reviews are the the primary criterion travellers use when choosing accommodation because we tend to trust our peers, people like us who have rented and lived in the house just as we might. Taking care of every detail of the stay—from check-in to check-out—means investing in your reputation.
And if your home can offer memorable experiences, your guests will become your best promoters.. It’s not just about filling a calendar, but about creating a lasting relationship.
When is it advisable to hire a property manager?
As you may have realized, managing a second home independently requires time, organization, and constant presence. A property manager relieves you of many practical aspects:
- guest reception and check-in;
- cleaning and maintenance;
- online price and listing management;
- communication with guests.
The Vayadù team and I take a tailor-made approach to every property.That’s because I truly believe that every home has its own story and a unique target audience. I never work with standard recipes: I like to listen to the owners, understand their needs and those of their guests, and build a tailor-made strategy. This type of professional management not only helps to maximize profits and reduce unexpected events, but it also allows you to give emotional value and identity to your home, making it a special place to live and remember.
Successful vacation rentals: concrete examples
To better understand what it means to transform a second home into a profitable vacation rental, I’ll share some of my personal experiences with you: stories of homes that I’ve seen grow, change, and become special places for their guests and a source of pride for their owners.
- Casa Controvento a Sanremo: 44 square meters facing the sea, private terrace, and strategic location near the center. Perfect for weekends all year round;
- Ciabot in the Langhe: small converted farmhouses, each with its own personality. Alta Langa for those seeking intimacy, Barolo and Nebbiolo for families or groups of friends;
- Casa Flora in Savigliano: a modern apartment that has been designed with attention to every detail, from the fully equipped kitchen to the fitness room.
These are examples that show how every home can become unique if it is described and managed with care.
Renting out your second home is an opportunity not to be missed
Renting out your second home to tourists isn’t just about welcoming people into your home: it’s about changing your perspective and discovering a new way of experiencing your property.. When I accompany my clients on this journey, I see the transformation with my own eyes: a house that had been closed for some time takes on new life, becoming a place that is lived in, appreciated, and talked about.
With good planning, attention to detail, and, if needed, my direct support, your home can become a sought-after and beloved destination. Whether you have a two-room apartment by the sea or a cottage among the vineyards, know that every property has unique potential: it’s up to you to choose whether to leave it untapped or transform it into a concrete opportunity for growth and satisfaction.
Would you like to rent out your second home?
If you are thinking of renting out your second home but don’t know where to start, the Vayadù team and I can help you turn it into a successful vacation rental.. From initial assessment to comprehensive management, every step is designed to enhance the value of your property.
