Dust off your toolbox, buy a hot tub -- it's cottage season
By Michelle Warren • Bankrate.com

"If you're renting out a cottage, you really need someone to come by and check on things," says Morton, who sources plumbers, electricians and other pros for problems that go beyond the scope of his staff. "We are their eyes and ears when they're not around."

With the increased interest in renting out vacation homes of late, property management is a burgeoning business. But not everyone is interested in cashing in.

It's a 24/7 job
Louis Liadis, co-owner of Muskoka Cottage Sitters in Huntsville, Ont., is a local trouble-shooter who regularly checks in on his clients' cottages to head off nasty surprises, such as burst pipes, break-ins, pest control and weather damage. He also offers property maintenance but draws the line at property management. When Liadis first set up shop, he took on a couple of such jobs, but after a few of weeks, he firmly closed the door on rental property management.

"It got very complicated -- renters weren't leaving on time and we were on call around the clock," he says, adding that renters often panic when something goes wrong, such as a sump pump breaking down, the electricity going off or wildlife coming too close. In his experience, it wasn't worth the time or headache.

"A lot of people are renting for the first time, and they're not OK with the great outdoors," acknowledges Phil Bayer of CottageLINK Rental Management. Owners have to understand what they're getting into and the liabilities they face. There's a huge amount of planning and work that goes into not only maintaining a rental property, but also preparing it for renters, who may not understand the ins and outs of a septic system nor appreciate the rustic quirkiness that often accompanies cottage living.

Renters want it all
In fact, most renters have quite high expectations. "People are looking for almost hotel-type quality," says Bayer. Nobody wants musty old plaid couches and creaky beds. "People want high-end good furnishings and all the toys," including big-screen TVs and satellite service.

Retro wood panelling is a no-no. Experts recommend making the interior light and bright by painting the walls off-white and investing in quality comfortable furniture in deep taupe that can withstand wear and tear. Kitchens should have all the conveniences, including up-to-date appliances, and it's important not to cut corners on essentials, such as comfy beds and couches.

Unless you've told people to bring their own linens (this is a detractor for most renters), you'll be expected to supply and wash plenty of towels and sheets and even supply an array of soaps and other personal hygiene products.

Outside, nice lounge furniture and barbecues are a given. Fire pits are also popular, as are sandy beaches with shallow, gradual entries or a dock for swimming. Hot tubs are huge and an absolute must for year-round rentals. "The investment in a hot tub at a cottage will raise the rent, and it will pay for itself in no time," says Lambert, adding it's the no. 1 request she gets.