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How to Prevent a Clogged Drain
Houston…we have a problem! It seems that clogged drains usually come at the most inconvenient time. Trying to enjoy your stay at a vacation rental home, should not be one of them. Did you know that something as thin as dental floss can get snagged in your pipes and start a clog? Getting into the habit of preventing clogged drains is an effective way to stop them from occurring altogether. We’ve rounded up a few solutions to support the maintenance of your vacation rental property.
KITCHEN
Do not pour grease or oil down the drain of the sink. Grease can stick to the inside of your pipes, leading to a clogged kitchen sink. Warm grease runs down the drain until it cools in the pipes and starts to form a clog. Then the other things we throw down the drain get stuck in that and now we have a sink full of “I’m not putting my hands in there!”.
Instead, used grease should be poured into a sealable container that you can throw into the trash. Leave a reminder for your guests along with the needed resource to get the job done if needed.
Avoid putting certain types of food in your garbage disposal.
- Banana peels
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Potato skins
A simple choice of hot vs cold water can make a difference as well. Coldwater will keep oils and grease in a solid-state so that they can be broken up by the garbage disposal. This helps support the flow of waste through the drainage system. Hot water will only melt and soften grease; encouraging it to coat the garbage disposal.
An investment in a screen/strainer that fits over the drain opening of the kitchen sink can help prevent food, hair, and other things from entering your drain. These can be found at stores such as Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s.
BATHROOM
When you notice the bathroom sink in your vacation rental home starting to back up, remove the Pop Up Stopper and clean it. Toothpaste, shaving cream, soap scum, and hair are the most common build-up. If you allow this waste to collect for some time, the sink can start to drain slowly until it eventually stops up.
Bathroom drains benefit from very hot water because it can remove excess residue and gunk. Remember to clean the drain stoppers of the bathroom sink and tub regularly for a more proactive approach.
Try these home remedies to melt away any fat, grease, or buildup that may have collected inside your pipes.
- Squirt at least a tablespoon of liquid dish soap directly into the drain. Put a large pot of water on the stove and bring it to a boil. Pour the hot water into the drain, a little at a time. If the buildup is heavy, repeat this process two to three more times.
- Pour one cup of vinegar down your vacation rental drains and let them sit for 30 minutes. Then chase it down with boiling water.
- Pour bleach into the sink. Let it sit for at least an hour (the longer the better) and then run water down the drain.
Washers and dryers at vacation rental homes sure take a beating! It’s not uncommon for the use of these two appliances in a vacation rental home to be 2-3 times that of a washer and dryer in a regular residential dwelling, especially if guests have access to the laundry room. The increased usage of the vacation homes washer and dryer should be met with more frequent maintenance and cleaning to keep them performing their best – and avoid pricey repairs and replacements.
With the cost of a professional appliance repair person ranging from $45-$100 an hour and parts marked up at least 100%, it’s in your best interest as a vacation rental homeowner to regularly clean and maintains these appliances – and even be able to do a little troubleshooting on your own!
Check Your Connections
When performing maintenance on your washer and dryer, be sure to check all the connections for water and power. Cords, hoses, connections should all be in good repair – no kinks, frays, tears, or holes. If you do notice anything amiss here – and you’re not confident in your repair knowledge or skills in this area – it may be best to call in a pro, just due to safety concerns.
Best Practices
Abusive practices, such as overloading the washer and not cleaning out the dryer lint trap after each use, will cause problems sooner or later. Especially if your vacation rental home guests have access, be sure to post instructions for proper use!
Hard Water Blues
The need for a stepped-up maintenance and cleaning schedule for your washer and dryer is even more important if your vacation rental property has “hard” water – that is, water with high mineral content. While it’s safe to drink, the dissolved calcium and magnesium in hard water can leave behind a film in your washer, and this film can attract and hold dirt from the laundry. Ewww.
Washing Your Washer
Cleaning your washer is really pretty easy, and doesn’t require any fancy supplies. In fact, baking soda and vinegar are the only two things you’ll need besides a spray bottle and a cleaning cloth! We found a great set of instructions for both front loading and top loading washers that walks you through the cleaning process, step-by-step. Check it out here!
Your Dryer Needs to Vent!
Seriously. A clogged dryer vent causes inefficiency and undue stress on your dryer leading to higher utility costs and machine breakdown – but a clogged vent could also cause a fire! In a typical residence, dryer vents should be cleaned annually, but since the dryer in a vacation rental home is generally used more frequently (think of all those towels!) you may want to check your dryer vent 2-3 times a year.
In the Phoenix area, you can find a professional to clean your dryer vent starting around $69. If you’re into the DIY lifestyle, we found this very informative video that not only shows you how you can tell if your dryer vent needs cleaning, but leads you through the actual process!
What’s Wrong?
Even with regular maintenance and cleaning, there’s always a chance that one day, they just won’t work. Rather than rushing to call in the repair person, there are some basic troubleshooting tasks you should do first, if possible, such as checking the power to the laundry area. You certainly don’t want to pay an appliance repair person to tell you your electrical outlet is bad, or you’ve thrown a breaker. Checking all connections to the appliance itself should be at the top of your list.
If your problem does truly seem to be the appliance itself, your owners manual should include a troubleshooting guide – and many manuals can now be found online for your convenience. Even if your appliance is under warranty, the warranty company will want to walk you through these steps before a repair is scheduled.
Appearance Counts
Don’t forget the outer surfaces of your washer and dryer – these appliances should look as fantastic as the rest of your vacation rental home. Wipe them down regularly (Moxie Girl recommends Truce All-Purpose!) for a clean shine and fresh scent!
Moxie Girl is Here to Help!
Moxie Girl brings years of experience to caring for your vacation rental home and we are here to help. Whether you’re looking for professional between-guest turns, or just need some helpful tips, Moxie Girl has what you need. Contact us for a FREE CONSULTATION, and check out our blogs, past, and future!
How to Maintain Your Coffee Maker and Keurig
The best part of waking up hasn’t quite been Folger’s in our cups for a while now. If you’re anything like us, we’re searching for the nearest pick me up on our way to save the day of your vacation rental property. However, for your guests, a coffee maker or Keurig in the home is convenient for any occasion. Whether they are a fan of a quick fix or the old school brewing noise of the coffee maker, cleanliness and maintenance are a must!
Here are step by step processes to guide you through cleaning these vacation rental home essentials!
KEURIG
- Disassemble and wash all removable parts. This includes the K Cup holder, mug stand, water reservoir, and lid. Soak these in pieces in warm, soapy water, and let dry.
- Fill the water reservoir halfway with White distilled vinegar. This will help remove any lime and scale buildup. Then fill the rest with water.
- Wipe down the surface of the Keurig. A dry cloth can get the job done. Be sure to get up in the area around the coffee pod holder where residue may have collected.
- Place the machine back together and plug it in.
- Place a mug in the holder area, start the brew cycle, and run the machine. Once the mug is filled, dump out the vinegar and water mix. Repeat this until the reservoir is completely emptied.
- Fill the reservoir with plain water and repeat the same process. This step helps to prevent any residing vinegar taste.
This maintenance routine is recommended every 3 to 6 months.
COFFEE MAKER
- Be sure to empty the machine and carafe of any remaining contents.
- Mix half Distilled, white vinegar with half water; enough to fill the entire water chamber of your coffee maker.
- Start the brew cycle. Halfway through, stop the cycle by turning off the coffee maker. Let it sit for an hour or so.
- After the hour has passed, turn the coffee maker back on to complete the brew cycle.
- Pour out the vinegar-water solution and repeat this process with a freshwater cycle. This time, run the complete brewing cycle with no breaks. Repeat this two more times, allowing the coffee maker to cool down a bit between the brews.
- Wash the water and carafe with warm/hot soapy water and wipe down the coffee maker with a dry cloth.
- Reassemble all parts and you are all set!
This maintenance routine is recommended monthly.
You may be wondering what Moxie Girl is doing to keep you and your renters safe during this crazy time. We are currently taking extra steps to ensure the safety of guests, owners as well as our hard-working Moxie team.
Precautions we are taking include:
- Employees who have symptoms will not be in homes and are thankful that many of our team have accumulated 40 hours of Sick Pay that can be used during this time
- We are adding to our routine services extra attention to the high-touch areas (doorknobs, remotes, handles, light switches). These areas will be wiped down with an isopropyl alcohol-based cleaner
- We are creating flyers that we will leave in your home stating that all high-touch surfaces have been sanitized with the isopropyl alcohol-based disinfectant to help give peace of mind to your guests. We hope to have the flyers in our Moxies’ kits by this weekend
- ALL open food left in homes will be thrown away. The only exception to this will be oils and spices
- We would also encourage owners to stock sanitizing wipes and/or bleach in the homes to give guests the ability to sanitize the surfaces during their stays. If you are a client of ours and would like to ship items to our office, please let us know so we can plan to deliver it to your property
Stay Safe and Stay Healthy!
Together Apart
As being a homeowner, and having carpet floors, you will at some point say “ should I just get hardwood floors. As beautiful as hardwood floors are, they don’t come cheap. Hardwood floors are often the most expensive to install, but they will have a long-lasting power and will be the best for your investment in the long run. However, having real hardwood floors can be a lot to maintain. The following is a guide for everything you need to know about maintaining your hardwood floors.
It can be super easy to forget about your floors, due to loads of laundry you have piled up, or your busy work schedule. Managing your hardwood floors should only take about 20-30 minutes per day depending on how much you have throughout your home. Wood floors are more sensitive than you think. To properly manage your wood floors, they need to be swept, mopped, and dusted on a regular basis. This is required to help maintain their shine. When mopping, be careful not to use any harsh chemicals or too much water. Chemicals and too much water will end up causing damage to your floors. Vacuuming is also a good way to manage your floors but you have to vacuum with caution. When vacuuming, don’t use your old vacuum cleaner, set your vacuum on to the bare floor setting to minimize your chances of ruining your floors.
Your next step is to clean your floors monthly with wood cleaner. A wood cleaner is meant to keep your floors healthy and shiny. Using certain wood cleaners will help maintain their strength and help them look absolutely stunning year-round. When cleaning your floors with wood cleaning, make sure you are wiping the same way that the wood grains run. This will increase the results by making sure you are getting all the dirt and oil out of the cracks and crevices in the flooring. The wood cleaner also helps prevent discoloration. You can also check for discoloration by lifting up rugs that you have laid out on your floors. You will be able to see a color difference, if you notice a color difference, then your floors have probably been damaged by the sun. To protect your floors from the UV rays of the sun, you can pull your drapes or blinds during the peak sunlight hours.
No matter how much you take care of your hardwood floors, you will always need to get some professional help sometime down the line. The reason you may need some help with your floors is due to your floors needing deep cleaning, a sanding, and even some refinishing treatments. Deep cleaning is used to attack dirt, oil, or grime that builds up over time. Sanding and refinishing treatments finish the job to make your floors look good as new. Some good habits to get into include when moving furniture, make sure you lift everything so you aren’t scratching your hardwood floors.
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The best way to make sure that you are getting the most out of your hardwood floors is to take good care of them every day. Use the wood floor cleaner guide above to help you create and stick to a good schedule to ensure that your wood floors are getting the right maintenance they need.
First Impressions
As a vacation rental cleaner, you never know what you are going to walk into once the guests have checked out. Your first impression of the guest can go one of two ways. The first way you are going to walk into the house and the guests have completed the checkout list that the owner has provided. If this is the way that you walk in, your clean is going to go great and you normally won’t have problems. The second way is that you are going to walk in, the rental is going to be completely used, and nothing is done on the checkout list. If you walk into a super used rental, your clean is going to be tougher, and you are usually going to be there longer than intended.
Having Checkout Suggestions
When guests check out of a vacation rental, Moxie Girl leaves a complimentary checklist for the guest to follow to make our clean and arrival so much easier. Some of our suggestions include stripping the beds or starting towels in the washer, starting the dishwasher, and taking out the trash. Just by doing one of these simple tasks can make a Moxie Girl’s cleaning go so much smoother. When we walk into a vacation rental, and the guests have left the place without doing any of the checklists, then the cleaner stresses once they get there debating on how the cleaning is going to take them.
Not using Checkout Suggestions
When guests check out of a vacation rental and don’t use any of the checklist suggestions, it can make our job so much more stressful. I’ll give an example, here at Moxie Girl, when cleaning a vacation rental we sometimes encounter a same day turn, which means the cleanings need to take place in between a guest checking out that day and new guests arriving the same day. When cleaning a home that is same day flip you’re on a time crunch. So, when guests leave a bunch of towels, and bedding used then we are responsible to clean all of the laundries, but with guests starting a load of laundry it makes our cleaning go a little smoother and can cut an hour or so off the cleaning time. Another suggestion for guests is picking up and taking all their trash out, by doing this it doesn’t take up our cleaning time, and we have more time to focus on the resetting of the home and getting the vacation rental ready for their next guest. So next time you stay at a vacation rental, keep your cleaners in mind and partake in the check out suggestions. 
Looking for a cleaning company to service your vacation rental needs? Contact us today for a FREE Consultation!!
Most of us have heard the phrase “you never get a second chance to make a first impression” – and it certainly holds true in the case of your vacation rental home! Imagine booking a vacation rental because it looked so cute (and cared-for!) in the photos you saw online, but arriving to find a broken gate, an overgrown lawn, and a dusty doorstep?
First impressions set the tone for your guest’s entire visit. Because your guests have viewed your vacation rental home at it’s best – thanks to the professionally-staged photos you posted – they’ve already set those images as a “standard” for your property, and therefore, the quality of their stay.. Bursting that image bubble before the guest is even inside your vacation rental is just asking for trouble.
Creating a Welcoming First Impression
As the owner of a vacation rental home, it’s up to you to create a first impression that will immediately assure your guests they’ve made a great choice in selecting YOUR vacation rental as their home-away-from-home.
Many factors can affect a guest’s first impression of your vacation rental home. Put yourself in your guest’s place…Pull up your vacation rental home as though you are seeing it for the first time. If YOU were paying to stay here, what would YOU think?
Exterior Basics
Faded or chipped exterior paint and/or busted stucco immediately takes your vacation rental homes to curb appeal down a notch – and possibly several, depending on what surrounding properties look like. If it’s been a few years since your vacation rental has enjoyed a new coat of paint, it may be time to consider an update.
Beyond the paint, do a thorough inspection of your vacation rental home windows, exterior doors, and light fixtures! “Broken” not only looks terrible but can also pose potential safety and security issues for you and your guests. Repairing these types of items should be number one on your to-do list!
Plants and Landscaping
No matter what the style of your vacation rental homes landscaping – indigenous desert or green and grassy – all plant life on your property should be healthy and well-maintained. The appearance of a brown lawn and dead plants can easily become the focal point of an otherwise beautiful vacation rental.
Overgrown landscaping – especially certain trees – can lead to safety issues for guests, as well as the potential for property damage during one of our famous Phoenix monsoon storms. Hiring a professional landscaper to routinely care for your vacation rental home will keep your property looking its best!
Everything In Its Place
While completely necessary of course, trash and recycling bins do you no favors in the area of great first impressions. If the bins at your vacation rental must be rolled out to the street for pick-up, be aware of the service schedule! Not only would you not want to be stuck with your trash “until next time” you’ll want to get those bins back to where they belong as soon as possible after service has occurred. Bins left on the street – even overnight – can definitely make your property look as though no one’s home.
Take a walk around the front of your vacation rental home and look for any non-decorative items that your guests wouldn’t – or at least shouldn’t – need during their stay. Tools and other implements should be put away, out of the guest’s view – for aesthetic and safety reasons! Even an unfurled garden hose on or near a walkway offers a potential hazard.
Please Come In!
Now that your guests are finally at the door, don’t let them down! The entry to your vacation rental home should be every bit as welcoming as everything they’ve just walked past. Make sure the entryway door (and handle or knob) is clean and free of cobwebs. Spiders work quickly, so check often! An attractive doormat as well as a pot of two colorful flowers at the entry to your vacation rental can really make a guest feel at home.
All vacation rental home guests appreciate secure – yet convenient – access to the property. Make sure your guests are provided with proper keys and/or entry codes they’ll need. Struggling just to get in the door – especially if it’s 100 degrees outside – will not please your guests. In fact, that issue alone may negate the rest of that first impression you’ve worked so hard to create!
As a famous motel chain once said, “we’ll leave the light on for you.” Leaving a light on for your vacation rental guests makes sense, too! A well-lit property is just naturally more secure, and guests arriving after dark should be able to safely and easily enter the home.
Happy Neighbors
As the owner of a vacation rental home, the last thing you want is complaints from the neighbors. Keeping your property looking its best at all times will let your neighbors know that you not only value your investment but that you value theirs, too!
Moxie Girl is Here to Help!
Moxie Girl is the Valley’s vacation rental specialist! Whether you’re a vacation rental homeowner or a potential guest, we can help! Check out our other blogs for tips on operating a successful vacation rental home – or choosing one for a stay!
First impressions matter, and for vacation rental owners, that means ensuring a welcoming atmosphere is essential when it comes to the guest experience. From the moment they park and get out of the car, the tone is being set for their stay in your vacation rental property. They’ve already spent hours, days, possibly weeks saving and comparing your rental with others and finally decided to book with you. Taking the time to ensure an inviting welcome can reap many benefits. Here are some ideas to support your process.
Check-In
Once you have a confirmed booking, be sure the guests have electronic access to basic information, such as:
- Directions to the property
- A clear address
- Contact information
- Parking instructions
- Explanation of how to access the property
After traveling and pulling up to the vacation rental home, guests are ready for a smooth transition. There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to get into your vacation rental easily. Difficult access is a guaranteed way to downgrade your customer service rating. The check-in process should be as easy as possible. Clear directions to access the home can keep this process simple and stress-free. If struggling to enter the home is the initial hiccup, it can easily go downhill from there.
Entering the Home
One of the first things your guest will notice is the temperature. If it’s a normal Arizona summer day, they will want to feel the welcoming breeze of the air conditioning. They should be indulging in the decor and set up of your vacation rental instead of the amazing race to the thermostat. It will never be “just right”, but the effort will be appreciated.
Ensuring a welcoming atmosphere also includes keeping your word. Does your vacation rental look anything like the pictures posted online? When the reality does not match the photos and/or description, there can be a disappointment. Anything shown in your listing, unless mentioned as unavailable for use, needs to be there.
Cleanliness
Whether you choose to clean your property yourself or partner with a professional vacation rental cleaning service, this investment is very important. Guest expectations are very high when it comes to the cleanliness of where they are staying. Checking the details and cleanliness of every room after the clean can prevent complaints and touch up visits. During the peak vacation season, guest turnover can be fast, resulting in same-day bookings and more efficient turns. Moxie Girl suggests deep cleaning your home during downtime to ensure attention to detail and thorough cleans.
You can also ensure that the guests feel well taken care of by having essential products stocked and ready for use.
Welcome Binder
Welcome Binders are an important amenity for your vacation rental property. This extra step shows your guests that you care about their comfort while staying in your home. All of the information needed for reference can be found in this binder.
- Pull together basic information like nearby grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies, and the post office.
- Highlight hidden gems in your city to help the guest experience them as well. This can include locally-owned restaurants, tours of areas unique to your location, and any nearby attractions.
- Frequently asked questions, including thermostat instructions, the wifi password, extra linens, and any quirks your home might have.
- Contact information so that guests know the fastest way to reach you if they have any questions, concerns, or problems during their stay.
- Check out instructions are helpful as well, especially a check out time-reminder and what to do with trash/recycle.
First impressions have lasting effects. Welcoming efforts made to support the initial impression will pay off in the return on investment through five-star reviews and increased bookings for your vacation rental home. Think of your own experiences. What do you appreciate? What level of service do you expect? Look at your reviews for feedback and make necessary adjustments when needed. The goal is to be as stress-free as possible for all parties involved. We can all appreciate that! Need some help making your vacation rental property guest-ready every time a new guest walks in? contact Moxie Girl today!
If you have been in the Vacation rental industry during the summer months, you understand how slow our summer months can get. Not many people think of the Valley of the sun as the best summer getaway, I mean most of the residents are leaving to hit the beach or to just get out of the heat. This isn’t to say your vacation rental should sit empty all summer, we just see a different crowd of renters rolling through the valley. Some make this a pit stop in their road trip to California beaches and others are looking for a permanent home here and utilize vacation rentals until they find the home of their dreams. So how do you accommodate these guests that aren’t used to our Summer months? POOLS!
Investing in your investment Property
Investing in an investment property is a huge step in becoming a rental owner and there are a lot of questions that may follow. If you are seriously thinking about running your own vacation rental property you might want to consider whether you plan to buy a house or a condo/apartment to rent out to your future guests. If you are buying a home with a backyard pool consider all the costs that might come along with that versus buying a condo with access to a pool as well as a home with a community pool. All options have their perks as well as their downfalls, so you might want to consider the type of atmosphere you are wanting to provide for your future guests.
Investing In a property with A Pool
Here at Moxie, we see that the homes with pools in the backyard or homes that have access to pools tend to get more bookings in those summer months than the ones that don’t. I have heard so many Arizona Residents say “you can’t survive in the Valley if you don’t have a pool.” One of the first things out of town renters look for when booking a vacation rental in the valley during the summer is if they will have access to a pool. If your listing doesn’t have pool access they are most likely to skip right over your listing without even taking a second glance.
Yes, I know a pool can be a major investment from the installation if you don’t have one yet to the upkeep of the pool, but the benefits are most likely going to outweigh the risks. Not only can you charge guests a little more because you are able to offer this pool amenity, but you are more likely to get more renters during those hot summer months.
Pools in the Winter
What about the cost of my pool during the summer months, you might ask? Well, an even smarter investment is making sure your pool can be used during the cooler months by making it a heated pool. This may cost a bit more but most vacation rental owners cover the pool heat charge by charging guests who plan on using the pool and are wanting the heat turned on.
Check out the Blog with Chad Nikkel, Owner of Aquaman pools. He gives some great information on having a pool in the winter months and how to best utilize it for your vacation rental guests.
Maintaining Your Pool
It is possible to take care of your own pool from maintenance to cleaning, but that can also come with many risks if you are not familiar with pool maintenance and cleaning techniques. Doing it yourself may save you the cost of hiring a professional, but you also might be spending more money and time than it is worth to upkeep your pool. We highly recommend hiring a professional and there are many professional pool cleaning/maintenance services you can utilize here in the valley, Moxie Girl Recommends reaching out to Aqua Man pools for all your pool service needs!
First Impression of Your Vacation Rental
We have heard it time and time again that first impressions matter and people are always saying “try to make the best first impression that you can”. This is something that should be considered when managing a vacation rental because first impressions can greatly impact the cash flow of your property. The first impression starts long before a guest has even stepped foot into your vacation rental. Their very first impression comes from the pictures that are placed online. Potential guests will evaluate the appearance and if it looks cleaned and well kept, what the staging and décor is like, and the overall vibes that the place gives off. Have you thought about what impression your vacation rental gives?
Vacation Rental Ratings and Reviews
Along with first impressions, ratings and reviews are especially important for cash flow when managing a vacation rental. Vacation rental management is part of the Hospitality Industry. Success in the hospitality industry is driven by the rating and reviews of others. It is said that people trust reviews as much as getting a recommendation from someone and 72% of people said they would not book a place without reviews. Potential guests are going through and reading the reviews left from your previous guests before determining if they are going to book your place.
How a professional clean can improve your ratings
The upkeep for a vacation rental can be a lot of work, even more so if you are managing more than one property. Hiring a professional cleaning company can eliminate a large portion of stress and free up more time in your schedule. Your guests want to have the feeling that the place is brand new and has never been used before. A great cleaning company can not only deliver that experience to your guests, but they can also improve the ratings and reviews that your guests are providing after they check out. With the increase of positive reviews, it is likely that the demand to stay in your vacation rental will increase as well.
Why choose Moxie Girl Vacation Rental Cleaning Company
With all the different cleaning companies that are available, it can be difficult choosing between them. So, what makes a cleaning company great? There needs to be trust, professionalism, and they should be experienced. Moxie Girls’ team of professional cleaners are also organized, fairly priced, and practice secure confidentiality.
If you are looking for a team of professionals to help you increase the number of positive reviews that your vacation rental receives and are ready to relieve stress and have more free time. Click here for more information.
Are you planning a trip to the valley of the sun and looking for a place that will fit the needs of you and your family? Maybe you are looking for a Magnificent place that will EXCEED all your expectations of renting a vacation rental? From small condos to magnificent Mansions you can find just about any vacation rental to fit exactly what you are looking for here in the Valley of The Sun!
With a stunning ten bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, this Magnificent Mansion may be just the place you’ve been dreaming of for your large family vacation. With the ability to sleep thirty people you can bring grandma and grandpa along for the ride and probably your favorite family friends with no worries of being crammed into a small space.
Property Highlights
This magnificent mansion located in a peaceful desert paradise, in close proximity to Scottsdale’s greatest treasures including best restaurants, grocery stores, shopping venues, golf, scenery, activities, events, casinos, hiking, biking, and nightlife.
There have been recent renovations to this home totaling about half a million dollars. This property truly has everything you will ever need including 8 cooktops and a large fridge/ freezer to make amazing meals for you and your group during your stay.
Once you arrive you’ll never need to leave this home for entertainment purposes, as it offers a full 65″ TV, pool table, poker table, custom wet bar, and of course those amazing mountain views.
But that isnt all you will get during your stay! According to the homeaway listing for this property you also have access to
-Custom private home theater offers raised seating, large projector screen, and reclining theater chairs.
– This one full acre estate is gated and fenced in for ultimate privacy.
– Three-car garage
– New smart TVs in all bedrooms and main areas, including outside
– Wireless high-speed internet
– Nest smart home thermostats & ADT security alarm system
– 2 Indoor dining room tables seat up to 22 people.
– Outside dining table seats up to 18 people
– Top of the line luxury mattresses and premium luxury linens
FREE BABY PACKAGE INCLUDED WITH YOUR STAY:
– Pack N Play (2)
– Highchair (2)
– Stroller
– Booster Seat
– Toys
– Books
– Plastic Utensils, Cups, Bowls, Plates
OUTDOOR GAMES, ACTIVITIES, AND AMENITIES INCLUDE:
– Shuffleboard
– Cornhole
– Nine-Hole Mini Golf Course
– Covered Outdoor BBQ
– Gas Fire Pit
– Heated Saltwater Pool
– Twelve-Person Saltwater Spa
– Covered Outdoor Dining for 18 people
INDOOR GAMES INCLUDE:
-Pool Table
– Poker Table
-Custom Bar
– Variety of 17 Board Games and Card Games
OPTIONAL SERVICES WE CAN PROVIDE OR OFFER ASSISTANCE:
– Daily Housekeeping Service
– Full Concierge Service
– Transportation Coordination
– Catering and In-Home Chefs
– On-Demand Grocery Delivery
– In-Home Massage
– In-Home Yoga Classes
– Babysitting
– Additional Children/Baby Supplies
Interested in booking today for the ultimate summer group vacation with your favorite people? CLICK HERE to be taken directly to the properties homeaway listing!
When decorating your vacation rental home you don’t want to do too little and you definitely don’t want to go overboard. When you don’t add those special touches to your vacation rental it can make your home feel a little less inviting. Now, when you add too much decor to your home it can feel cluttered and also allow for more dust to be collected on the little unnecessary decorations. It can be a challenge to find that perfect balance in your vacation rental home that makes your guests feel at home and welcomes them into your space. So where do you start?
Function and Feeling
You’ll want to start by deciding what kind of function you are wanting your home to have for guests and what kind of feeling you are going for. You could decide every room has a different theme in the house or that the entire house follows one theme. Have fun with your decorating journey and plan out your space before going on a decor shopping rampage!
Stay Neutral
Unless you have a certain theme in your home you are going for like a 90’s or retro theme, try to stay neutral! Staying neutral in your colors will help things last with the changing times and will be easier to redecorate when needed or when styles change. Stick with just a few colors but in varying shades that all work well together, just keep it simple. Now if you’re going with a 70’s retro-themed vacation rental this tip won’t really apply to you, but your decorating journey will still be a blast!
Lighting & other fixtures
This can be a fun part of decorating your vacation rental property! You can stick with basic lighting or add a fun touch with a cute lamp or different light fixtures. Just make sure the light bulbs you choose throughout your house are cohesive if you have yellow lighting try to keep it like that throughout the house or things and start to look a little funky. Lamps are a great addition to the living room and bedroom spaces to add that cozy feeling a home can offer. If you decide to change the fixtures in your house try to keep them all one color, you don’t want some gold fixtures, some black and some silver throughout the entire house.
Additional Items
Have fun with this part, but not too much fun. Adding little decor items is where a lot of us can go overboard because there are just so many cute options out there. The last thing you want in your home is to have too many things that make guests feel overwhelmed and cluttered. Baskets with blankets by the beds or couches are a fun way to add a little extra something to your home. Chunky throws can add that texture you may be missing in your home. Switch out those boring old bar stools for something a little different than you might be used to, you’ll be surprised at how one item can really transform a space! Natural wood items are a great touch to those neutral spaces as well as adding greenery. Adding greenery can really bring a space to life!
Remember this is still your space and you get to decide how you want to make it, but you are renting it out to guests and want to make them feel comfortable and at home, in your space while they are visiting. Have fun with it, take your time and plan it out. Remember to save all your receipts when buying items juts in case they don’t flow in the home like you thought they would.
Just getting started in your journey as a vacation rental owner? Give Moxie Girl a call today to see how we can help you get things up and running smoothly so you can start renting your space out as soon as possible!
Why should your home be deep cleaned
With everyone’s lifestyles usually being super busy, no one ever has time to deep clean their home the right way. Your life is always on the run, everyday matters can get in the way, and that can bring down your lack of energy to do anything, especially cleaning. Even though most people try to make an effort and deep clean their homes every weekend, the amount of effort it takes, to actually do it right, is very tiring. After deep cleaning, you usually are going to be too tired to enjoy your weekend. Especially with Covid-19 going on right now, everyone is staying home which means, extra dirt and dust are being accumulated. With that being said, there is another option you can take, and that is calling a deep clean service company.
Who to call
Once you have decided that you don’t want to deep clean your own house, then you start to look up services. Once you have started to look up cleaning services, make sure you are looking at what all they are offering. Expert house cleaners’ tasks are usually your regular cleaning with a ton of extra detail. Extra details include cleaning the insides of ovens, microwaves, fridges, and drawers. We also will try to get any scuffs off the walls, clean doors, and window seals. We pay extra attention to everything in your home and do our best to make it look brand new. Our professionals will make sure that your home is cleaned from the top to the bottom. Since COVID-19 hit, everyone is scared to catch anything. But at Moxie, we use a disinfectant that is sure to keep you and your family safe. Our priorities are keeping our guests healthy and happy. If you would like your vacation rental deep cleaned you can call Moxie Girl and someone from our helpful team, will be happy to help and address any questions you may have.
How to properly deep clean your house
With everything going on in this crazy world right now, most of you are way too busy to clean or even give your house a nice deep cleaning. When your life gets way too busy, things start to clutter up and dust particles start to multiply quickly. With this Moxie blog, we will make a quick and easy checklist to make sure you are hitting all the right spaces, and areas in your home. We will also hit on what to clean during certain seasons throughout the year.
Where to start on your cleaning
Most people out there hate cleaning, but we know that some people actually love to clean. For those of you who hate cleaning, the first step is to get some motivation boosted up for the day, and for those who love cleaning, let’s get started. So first things first, the best way to start your cleaning is to go room by room and complete one room at a time, so you aren’t all over the place and trying to remember what was cleaned and what wasn’t. The second step is to start on the top floor of your home and work your way to the bottom floor. You do this process so dust will fall to the first floor, and you won’t be cleaning something twice. Now you have picked where you want to start, let’s get started.
Bedrooms
So I usually start in the bedrooms, so that is where my blog will start. The first thing I do is strip all your bedding off including sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers or comforters, then start them in the washer, since laundry is going to take a while. The next thing that I would do is flip or rotate my mattresses because no one wants to feel those springs poking into your back. Next, you are going to want to start from the top of the room and work your way down to the bottom. Start with that ceiling fan, because we all know those collect so much dust and wipe all the cobwebs down from the corners. Next, dust all of your other surfaces including your dressers, headboards, nightstands, window ceils, and don’t forget to wash your baseboards. Before making your bed, clean underneath it and collect all those dirty clothes, empty water bottles, and anything else you store under there. If you are really in the cleaning mood. You can go into your closet and organize it, and get rid of any clothes that you aren’t gonna wear. Grab some clean sheets because making the bed is next. Once you have your bed made, you’re ready for the floors. Grab your vacuum and get all those dust bunnies and all the excess dust that you dusted off your furniture. The last step, if you have hardwood in your house, mop your floors with some hot water, and mix it with a floor cleaner. I prefer Pinesol to make the room smelling fresh. Finish the room off by spraying some febreeze and you are now finished. Continue this list throughout every bedroom of your house and then check bedrooms off your list. 
Bathrooms
Next, let’s start in the bathroom, just like the bedrooms, start from the top and work your way to the bottom of the room. So I start with taking out my bath mats and throwing them in the washer. Then start with dusting, dust all light fixtures, and clear cobwebs out of all corners. Once done, I start with the mirrors and other surfaces. I use dawn dish soap because it’s a great degreaser and it’s non-toxic. Once you have your dawn dish soap, put it on a washcloth, and run hot water over. Wipe down your mirror, then grab a microfiber towel to wipe dry. Then continue the process with your countertops. I also use dawn dish soap to wipe out the sinks but you can use comet as well. Comet is also a good cleaner to dump into your bathtub and toilet bowl as well. Use a scrub brush and scrub the bathtub floor, and a toilet brush to clean your toilet bowl. Next, you can use your dawn soap and wipe down the outside of the toilet. Follow these steps and continue throughout all your bathrooms.
Kitchen
New day, new room. Kitchens are a very important room in your house, it’s the room that most of your guests will see first. So just like every other room, start with dusting and knocking down all the cobwebs. You can use dawn dish soap to clean everything in your kitchen. So damp your rag, and let’s get started. Go cabinet by cabinet and take everything out, once everything is out wipe down all the shelving and reorganize your cabinets. Do the same thing with your refrigerator, wipe down all the shelves and drawers, and then reorganize your refrigerator and throw out any old food. Next, take your dish washcloth and wipe down all your countertops, appliances inside and out, and the outside of all cabinet surfaces. Now take your vacuum and get all those access crumbs, and take your pinesol water and mop. You have now deep cleaned your kitchen.
Common Areas
Finally, you are in your last part of the home. Again start from the top and work your way to the bottom. Grab your duster, and dust your ceiling fans, and knockdown any cobwebs in the corners. Next wipe down your surfaces, including all your furniture. Common areas are pretty easy to complete, next vacuum, and mop if you have hardwood throughout your living rooms. Finally, your house is clean and it’s time for you to relax and enjoy your clean home.
Extra Tips
Additionally, there are some tasks that you’ll encounter in almost every room of your house. Some tasks include tossing unused or expired household items, moving furniture to wash baseboards, and changing smoke detector batteries. Once you have completed this checklist, you now have a clean home. If you own a vacation rental and want to have it deep cleaned, contact Moxie Girl or STRM. We have a great team, that will be sure to help you out with all your cleaning requests.
Moving to a new city can be scary, especially if that city is also a different state. These days, at least, we all have scads of information available to us via the internet, so making a move to a new place doesn’t seem quite as anxiety-filled as it used to be – especially with all of the vacation rental options across the country!
For Work?
People move to new places for all kinds of reasons, one of the most common being a new job. In that situation, you may want to consider booking a vacation rental property for a bit, before having ALL of your possessions shipped to a new location. If you’re planning on making this new job long-term, you’ll no doubt want to settle into your “own” place eventually – but why rush, and have to move everything twice?
Making a temporary home at a vacation rental while you get going in your new work position can give you insight into an area that you won’t easily find on the web. Chances are, that staying in a vacation rental, you’ll soon know if that particular neighborhood is where you’d like to remain. And if the place you’re in isn’t your cup of tea, with no lease or mortgage in place, it’s easy enough to try a different location!
At Play…
Of course, sometimes we vacation in a new place and simply fall in love with it – enough to think we’d like to live there, even. Becoming enamored with a new city can be too easy…after all, we’re often vacationing during the “best of times” – not only for ourselves but often for the location as well.
That perfect weather and that fancy resort where you’re staying, coupled with the fact that you’re on VACATION, can definitely color your view of a new city. You’re likely in this place when everything is just right outside…and who doesn’t love resort amenities and no alarm clocks? Oh, yes, we’d LOVE to live here!
For example, I’ve had plenty of friends visit Phoenix in March and immediately start looking at real estate listings – they’re ready to move! Few of them have gone through with a move after checking back in July or August, though. 100 days with temps over 100 degrees is no joke, air conditioning or not.
The Real Deal
If you fell in love while on vacation – especially if you stayed in a fancy hotel – you probably have a very different idea of life in this new location than you would if you actually lived there. Living and working day-to-day in any city has its challenges so it’s a great idea to really “live” in a new place for a minute to figure out if the challenges of this particular place will be manageable for you.
Vacation Rentals Offer the Feeling of Home
Staying in a vacation rental – or even a series of vacation rentals – to get a feel for life in a new city is a fantastic way to explore and really get to know the area you’re considering making home. You’ll have to make your own bed, do your own laundry and buy your own groceries, but any worthy vacation rental home should offer a basic array of home essentials – such as cookware, dishes, and bed and bath linens for your use.Some vacation rental property operators will cut you a deal on a longer stay, too.
What’s Important to You?
Moxie Girl suggests making a list of all the every-day things you feel are most important to you in deciding where to live. If you’re moving because you’ve secured a new job and will be required to be on site most days of the week, finding a home near your work location makes sense. Traffic in most cities can be a logjam during rush hours, so the closer you are to work, the better!
Other important factors for you may be your new home’s proximity to shopping or entertainment venues, places of worship, public transportation, parks, medical services and schools. Are you seeking a bustling “downtown” feel for your home, or would you prefer to be able to hear a pin drop at night? During your vacation rental stay, refer to your list often and keep notes.on what’s great – and not so great – about this particular area.
Better Safe Than Sorry!
If you are considering a permanent move to a new city – especially one you’ve only truly vacationed in – it may be beneficial to do your vacation rental stay “test-run” during the city’s “off” season, to get a more complete picture of what real-life might be there. Again, I refer to the Phoenix in March vs. Phoenix in August example. Full relocation can be a big, expensive deal, so it’s smart to have the best idea possible of what may await you during the course of your first year in a new place!
Moxie Girl Know Vacation Rentals
Moxie Girl offers expert vacation rental home services throughout the Phoenix-Metro area – and we’d love to see what we can do for you! Contact us to find out how Moxie Girl’s years of experience in the vacation rental home industry can help make your vacation rental property an even bigger success while giving you more time and peace of mind!
Fun Facts about Tempe
I first moved to Arizona in July after I left Illinois, I was amazed on how pretty Arizona actually was, from the different cacti, flowers, always having mountains in the distance, and most importantly the sunsets every night are my favorite things to watch. Even though these things are important to locals, I’ve never experienced them so it was such an amazing new experience. Tempe is a city that borders Phoenix but there aren’t any actual borders that go from city to city. Once you hop on the 101 you can easily end up in another city without realizing it. The Arizona Route 101 or “loop 101” is a semi- beltway that connects much of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. It connects all of Phoenix suburbs including, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe, and even extends into the West Valley including Glendale and Peoria. Loop 101 also connects with all major freeways including U.S. 60, SR 51, Interstate 17, and Interstate 10.
Tempe is also known for its youthful college town. Arizona State University is one of the largest public college universities in the United States. If you plan your visit during any ASU’s football season, you could spend the day catching a game at the Sun Devils football stadium. Another time to visit Tempe to see something that you normally wouldn’t see is the “Lantern Walk” during homecoming week. The Lantern Walk is one of the oldest traditions at ASU, and it one of the most cherished. Everyone who is associated with ASU walks through campus and follows a path up to “A” mountain to “light up” Tempe. The night is accumulated with a firework display. So having little one’s firework show is always a way to entertain them. “A” mountain which was also mentioned above also has a little bit of history behind it. There was a letter “A” installed on the slope of its south face that is visible from campus. The original “A” was destroyed but the vandals were never caught but many speculate it was their rivals from (University of Arizona.) “Whitewashing” the “A” is a tradition in which incoming freshmen paint the letter white during orientation week and is repainted gold right before the first football game of the season. “A” mountain is a perfect hike to do right before sunset. It is one of the most accessible hikes in downtown.
Tempe Town Lake
Arizona is a desert state, so finding bodies of water is very unlikely. Tempe Town Lake is located right in the heart of the city of Tempe. Tempe Town Lake is located on the northwest corner of Mill Ave, and Rio Salado Parkway. This two-mile-long lake is so much more than just something nice to look at when driving on loop 202. Tempe Lake attracts so many tourists throughout the year being the perfect spot to enjoy outdoor activities and experience tons of fun while doing it. Some of the activities include stand up paddleboarding, kayaking in which you can rent single or double kayaks, and even an electric boat that can seat up to 12 people and comes equipped with a radio and a dining table so you can enjoy your whole day on the lake with some awesome views. With Covid-19 going on right now, the rentals are only 1 person per kayak to continue to obey the CCD guidelines of being 6ft apart when out in public. If you are more of a land person, there are plenty of activities for you to do also. Land activities include walking, biking, or running along the 5-mile pathway that stretches along the lakeside.
Vacation Rentals in Tempe
Moxie Girl cleans vacation rentals all around the west valley, east valley, and central Phoenix area. Moxie Girl is very cautious when going into different vacation rentals during Covid-19. We wear masks, and gloves and use a super-powerful Isopropyl based disinfectant to ensure that your vacation rental is clean and ready upon your arrival. If any of these fun activities seem like something your family or just yourself would like to do, then book a vacation rental today. You can book directly from Moxie Girl or STRM to schedule your booking.
If you own a vacation rental already and would like to be stress-free about keeping it up to date, you can also contact Moxie Girl or STRM for a FREE CONSULTATION TODAY.
When looking for a vacation rental most look for a place that can best accommodate their needs for their stay. Depending on what you’re looking for you can almost always find the perfect fit for you and/or your family needs.. that is if you choose to take the whole family.
When choosing a vacation rental over a hotel there are a few things you might be giving up but most vacation rental owners do their best to give their guests everything they need for their relaxing stay. You might be looking for a home with a relaxing pool area, nice backyard space, cozy bedroom spaces, or whatever it may be. In some cases when booking your perfect vacation you come across a place that has met every need and more.
Avoiding Crowded Hotels.
You may be considering a stay at a vacation rental for the first time, changing it up from your typical hotel stay, and wondering what more could a vacation rental offer me that I’m not already going to get at a hotel?
Well, you’re in for a treat! This newly remodeled “resort” vacation rental in the Scottsdale area has those spa-like amenities you may feel like you’re missing out on when booking a vacation rental. From a sauna in the master bathroom to a lap pool on the backyard this home gives you that spa feeling without being surrounded by strangers in robes.
More to offer than your typical hotel room
Not only are you getting that spa-like feeling in this vacation rental there is also a great outdoor space for relaxing, grilling, and just hanging out. There is a cozy living room space for you to enjoy your favorite shows, movies and so much more. One of our favorite parts is the bar area where you can make your favorite mixed drink to enjoy by the pool or maybe playing pool all in one place. If you enjoy socializing, you won’t have to go far for a nice night out on the town with this home being just a few minutes away from Old Town Scottsdale.
If this vacation rental sparks your interest take a look HERE at what all this place has to offer and plan your vacation today!
Are you currently running a Vacation Rental property of your own and looking for a cleaning service that can take care of all your vacation rental needs? Click HERE for a free consultation. Moxie Girl will take care of your Vacation Rental Cleaning needs and make sure your guests walk into a clean and welcoming home.
Looking for something to do during your vacation rental stay in the Phoenix area? If you’re a hiker, you’ll be happy to know there’s no shortage of fantastic trails in and around the Valley!
No matter where in the Phoenix area you’ve booked your vacation rental, there’s sure to be some great hiking nearby! Moxie Girl, the Valley’s vacation rental specialist, is here to get you started with a few of our favorite trails.
Phoenix Mountains Preserve
The Phoenix Mountains Preserve is actually a whole group of parks: Piestewa Peak, North Mountain/Shaw Butte, Lookout Mountain/Shadow Mountain, and Dreamy Draw Recreation Area.
Located in what some refer to as “the middle of Phoenix” – geographically anyway, the summits in these parks offer stunning views of the Valley in all directions! And although the preserve is easily accessible from several busy city streets and a freeway, you certainly won’t feel as though you’re in ANY city as you’re hiking or biking the trails here.
Trails within the Preserve parks range from easy to moderately challenging, so there’s something for hikers and bikers of all fitness levels. Leave your ATVs and electric bikes at home though – there are no motorized vehicles allowed on the trails!
You can even enjoy hiking the trails with your dog – as long as your dog is on a leash AND it’s below 100 degrees. Dogs are prohibited on the City of Phoenix hiking trails when the temperature is 100 degrees or warmer. (Temperatures can reach 100 degrees quickly during the summer months, so consider hiking as early as possible in the day – dog or no dog!)
The parks at Phoenix Mountains Preserve are hugely popular with the locals, so trails can become pretty populated during peak times such as holidays and weekends. Moxie Girl recommends early mornings during the week for an easier time parking and a more tranquil experience.
Here’s a great article we found on visitphoenix.com with very helpful overviews of each area within the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, including trailhead locations and what to expect while you’re there! Enjoy!
Sunrise Trail – Lost Dog Wash Trailhead
If the vacation rental you’ve reserved is located in the Northeast Valley, Sunrise Trail is a “must” for hikers. Heck, even if your vacation rental is somewhere else, Sunrise Trail is easy to get to from most areas in Phoenix – and definitely worth the drive.
Located in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Sunrise Trail is far more “out-of-the-way” than many hiking trails in the Phoenix Metro area. Even during peak-use hours, parking is ample and services are consistently well-reviewed and the Lost Dog Wash Trailhead is a popular place to start this hike.
Lost Dog Wash Trailhead boasts clean public restrooms, filtered water, and a structure providing shade and shelter if needed. On the weekends, you’ll likely find volunteers from the McDowell Sonoran Preserve Conservatory on hand to answer questions and offer information about the Preserve – including specific plant and animal life you may encounter during your visit.
Sunrise Trail can be a moderately difficult hike, so it may not be suitable for beginners. There are also many other trails within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, so pay attention to the signage. You’ll be working your way up to Sunrise Peak – where you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent, sweeping view of Scottsdale and Fountain Hills before making your way back down to the trailhead!
Please note the temperature threshold for dogs on the trails at McDowell Sonoran Preserve is 90 degrees – 10 degrees lower than the Phoenix parks limit. For more information about Sunrise Trail and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, please visit the City of Scottsdale website.
Best Photo-Op Hike in Phoenix
Why take a selfie with a panoramic backdrop, when you can take a selfie with a panoramic backdrop THROUGH A HOLE IN A ROCK made mainly of sandstone? If you’re looking for an easy hike (suitable for most fitness levels) with amazing views of the Valley and a “wow!” social media moment, Hole-in-the-Rock at Papago Park, is the place for you.
This is a very popular trail, so don’t expect to be alone on this hike. Hole-in-the-Rock is perfect for family and group outings. Papago Park is also adjacent to the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Gardens, giving visitors a chance to experience even more of our native plants and desert-dwelling creatures!
Visit the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation website for more information about Papago Park. In addition to hiking and biking trails, Papago Park offers many other recreation facilities, including an archery range, fishing lagoon and the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting!
Hike Safely!
The Arizona desert is no place to forget safety precautions – in fact, please use EXTRA precaution when hiking! Our landscape is uniquely beautiful. Much of it is also sharp, rough, pointy, and can otherwise hurt you. Watch your step – not only to prevent falls but to keep an eye out for our cleverly camouflaged wildlife, such as rattlesnakes, scorpions, and such.
To say our desert heat can be brutal is a huge understatement. Check the weather forecast and plan your hike accordingly, packing an abundance of water. Sun protection is a must – don’t forget your hat or visor and apply a high SPF rated sunscreen (re-apply during your hike if necessary!)
Enjoy Your Vacation Rental!
Moxie Girl is the leader in vacation rental care throughout the Phoenix area! If you’re planning a trip to the Valley, watch our blog for more tips to make the most of your visit! Vacation rental homeowner? Moxie Girl has loads of info in our blog archives to help your vacation rental run as smoothly and profitably as possible – with more to come!
If you’d like Moxie Girl to professionally service your vacation rental, simply click to get started! We’ll be in touch soon!
