Preparing Your Vacation Rental for Peak Season on Wrightsville Beach
Peak season is coming. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Wrightsville Beach transforms into one of the busiest rental markets on the North Carolina coast. If you own a vacation rental here—or anywhere along the Cape Fear shores—the next few weeks are your window to get ready.
The difference between a five-star review and a frustrated guest complaint often comes down to cleanliness. Here's how to prepare your property for the rush.
Start With a Deep Clean
Your regular turnover cleaning handles the basics. But before peak season, you need a reset—the kind of deep clean that addresses everything guests notice but don't mention until the review.
What a pre-season deep clean should include:
Baseboards, door frames, and trim (salt air leaves a film)
Light fixtures and ceiling fans (dust accumulates fast near the beach)
Inside kitchen cabinets and drawers
Behind and under furniture
Window tracks and screens (sand gets everywhere)
HVAC vents and filters
Mattress and upholstery cleaning
Grout and tile scrubbing in bathrooms
This isn't the kind of cleaning you can rush between guests. Schedule it before your first booking and build the cost into your annual maintenance budget.
Address the Beach-Specific Issues
Coastal rentals have their own challenges. Salt, sand, humidity, and sun exposure take a toll on properties in ways that inland homes don't experience.
Sand management: No matter how many outdoor showers you install, sand comes inside. Check entry points, especially sliding doors and screened porches. Consider adding a boot brush or sand-removal mat outside each entrance. Make sure your vacuum can handle fine beach sand without clogging.
Salt air damage: That ocean breeze carries salt that corrodes metal and leaves residue on glass. Clean exterior windows, check door hinges and locks for corrosion, and wipe down any metal fixtures or hardware.
Humidity control: Mold and mildew thrive in coastal humidity. Inspect bathrooms, closets, and under sinks. Check your HVAC system and consider a dehumidifier for enclosed spaces. Nothing kills a review faster than a musty smell.
Sun fading: UV exposure fades furniture, rugs, and artwork. Rotate pieces if possible and consider UV-blocking window treatments.
Stock and Inventory
Guests expect vacation rentals to be fully equipped. Before the season, take inventory of everything.
Kitchen: Count plates, glasses, utensils, and cookware. Replace anything chipped, stained, or worn. Stock basics like dish soap, sponges, trash bags, and paper towels.
Bathrooms: Fresh towels in good condition. Full toilet paper stock. Basic toiletries if you provide them. Check that all drains flow freely.
Linens: Inspect sheets, pillowcases, and mattress protectors. Nothing says "cheap rental" like pilled sheets or stained pillows. This is worth investing in.
Outdoor spaces: Beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, outdoor furniture cushions. These items take a beating. Replace what's faded or broken.
Create a Turnover System
During peak season, you might have back-to-back bookings with only a few hours between guests. You need a reliable turnover process.
Professional cleaning: This isn't the time for DIY. A professional cleaning team can handle turnovers efficiently and consistently. They know what to check and won't miss details when they're tired.
Checklists: Create a detailed checklist for every turnover. The same tasks, in the same order, every time. This prevents missed spots and lets you verify quality.
Laundry logistics: With same-day turnovers, on-site laundry isn't always enough. Consider a laundry service or keep backup sets of all linens.
Restocking: Build restocking into every turnover. Toiletries, coffee, cleaning supplies under the sink. Small touches matter.
First Impressions Count
Guests form opinions in the first five minutes. Make those minutes count.
Curb appeal: Sweep the entryway, clean the front door, make sure house numbers are visible. If you have landscaping, keep it trimmed.
Entry experience: What do guests see and smell when they walk in? A clean, fresh space with clear check-in instructions beats a cluttered entry with a musty odor.
Welcome touches: A small welcome note, a local tip sheet, or a few snacks can set the tone for the entire stay. These details show you care.
Plan for the Unexpected
Peak season means more wear and tear. Things break. Guests spill. The unexpected happens.
Keep a list of reliable local vendors: a plumber, an HVAC tech, a handyman, a locksmith. Know who to call at 9 PM on a Saturday when something goes wrong.
Have backup supplies on hand. Extra linens, extra towels, a spare coffee maker. The ability to solve problems quickly prevents negative reviews.
The Payoff
A well-prepared vacation rental earns more. Higher nightly rates. Better reviews. More repeat bookings. Less stress during the busiest months.
The work you put in before Memorial Day pays dividends all summer long.
Need help getting your Wrightsville Beach rental ready for peak season? Intracoastal Cleaning offers deep cleaning and turnover services for vacation properties across the Cape Fear coast. [Contact us for a quote.]