Snowbird Lifestyle, Cuisine, Entertainment and Travel
From Snowflake to Snowbird A Mini Report from a Former Snowflake I wasn’t familiar with “snowflakes,” which are a variation of snowbirds, until a reader contacted me about it. Online Artificial intelligence (AI) defines the primary difference between snowbirds and snowflakes as the former have …
Price, location, view, pet friendly and availability are all deal makers. They're also the deal breakers. However, there's more to it than that. It's the nuances of a particular rental that may or may not work for snowbirds.
Recently, I was asked to tag along on a tour of a potential rental for two Wisconsin-based snowbird friends with an adorable Golden Retriever named Cooper. My friends decided to take a look around at the options because they weren't entirely sure about returning to their current place. Their rental rates were increasing and they had other concerns about the place. Not only did they gain valuable insight to what matters to them, the tour opened my eyes to mistakes by owners. To my astonishment, after touring several properties and considering everything, my friends decided to stay where they are.
This is an account of what the deal breakers could be and why owners should listen carefully to the feedback from potential guests. It can save a ton of headaches for both parties.
Snowbirds in general, like to plan way in advance. As in a year or more. My neighbor, Elaine and her husband and pooch have always stayed in the same unit for the month of January. She said finally -- two years from now in 2026 -- they will be staying for January AND February. It has taken that long to get a booking for the full two months. Past availability was not a deal breaker in this case, but for many it easily could have been. Elaine didn't say, nor did I ask, if the current February occupant is aware of what is happening. Snowbirds, always stay connected with your property manager and/or owner so they can work with you on your future plans. No one wants to be blindsided.
On the flip side, Wisconsin Terri was told it was "too soon" to reserve the unit she was considering for next year. This is exactly the opposite of how I think. Again, not allowing to book a year in advance would be a solid reason for many snowbirds to keep looking.
Owners: if a guest wants to book for next year, take the reservation! If you have qualms about a cancellation, request a significantly larger deposit of a minimum of $1,000 and extend the pay-in-full due date to be 90 or 120 days in advance instead of 60 days or whatever the standard policy is for weekly rentals. It's a huge commitment for snowbirds and owners to pledge 60 consecutive days vs. the usual 7 days, but each party needs assurances they will have a solid deal.
Snowbirds: Make sure there is a solid, written contingency plan if an owner cancels your reservation or sells the property before your arrival. If you book through a management company with a large property portfolio, get it in writing that you will be rebooked into a similar or better property in the event of unforeseen circumstances. It is essential all deposits and pre-paid funds will be refunded if the owner and/or PM do not have a suitable property available.
Unfortunately no one is aging backwards which means at some point weather, distance and transportation increasingly become a problem for snowbirds.
Several friends are facing this issue due to age, health and concerns about driving to and from their snowbird communities. Dee from Colorado relies on her son to bring her to and from her southern home in Northwest Florida. He has asked her to consider a closer location in Arizona to make it easier for him. Except there are no beaches in Arizona, which understandably puts Dee in a quandary.
The weather this winter has been one of the worst for as long as many can remember which doesn't help Dee's decision. Time will tell if distance and weather are the deal breakers for Dee.
I've personally witnessed an increase of doorbell cameras installed on the exterior of rental properties. For some, this could be a deal breaker simply because they don't want to be photographed every time they come or go. Nor do they want their belongings, packages, guests and deliveries to be documented. Not that there's anything illicit happening, it's simply a lot for guests to accept and it could make or break a rental to snowbirds or anyone else for that matter.
Snowbirds typically stay for at least 30 days and usually 60 or even 90+ days. They may book by the week or by the month, but it's a totally different set of needs than the weekly vacationers who are in and out in seven days.
Therefore, what might be just fine for a family who is not going to be in the unit all that much for a week in peak season compared to snowbirds who have an extended stay and accordingly bring a lot more clothing and "stuff."
I kid you not, a friend toured a property that had a locked closet in the second bedroom. Presumptively it was full of the owner's possessions. Guests are expected to put their clothes on hangers dangling from three or four racks mounted at a 90 degree angle on the bedroom wall.
No! As in, "Are you kidding me?" Absolutely there is no way I would want to spend 30-60+ days looking at clothing dangling from the walls. My friend and her husband do not share a bedroom and her husband would be the one with his clothes decorating the walls. The owner refused to make accommodations and ultimately, this was the deal breaker.
Vacuum cleaners, mops, pots and pans, utensils, cleanliness, decor and more matter. Even beyond that, the details, large and small, can make or break a snowbird's willingness to rent a unit.
I know of a snowbird who didn't like the mattress in the primary bedroom. She said it was very uncomfortable and she tried every possible option to improve the situation, including sleeping on the unit's bunk bed. Worn out or sagging furniture is also another potential deal breaker.
Features such as very short vanity cabinets in the bathrooms may not be noticed in photos, but could be a problem for tall guests.
Snowbirds who can take a tour of a potential place should do so, it's worth the time to do so because you can pick up so much more than seeing photos. If it's not possible, ask a lot of open-ended questions. Prepare a list of potential deal breakers, then be honest about what your non-negotiables are. Know your limits and be patient. It can take time to find just the place. Once you find what works for you, protect your investment and plan accordingly.
-- Michael Bliss, Canadian Historian and Author
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In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
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-- Dory, "Finding Nemo," 2003 American animated comedy-drama adventure film produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.
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Personally, I'm not a shopper. I'd rather do almost anything else than run to the store for something. Professionally, I've become adept at finding everything needed to furnish our vacation rental and have invested much time and thought in choosing every single item. Nothing was purchased or returned on a whim or without weighing the pros and cons of how that item fit into the rental property or not.
Many snowbirds own a vacation rental, second home, lake, desert or mountain home and/or simply want to know where to find the charming items stocked in their winter rental. That used to be me. Where did the owner acquire the rugs, pillows, lighting, accent pieces, furniture, artwork and outdoor patio set? Now I'm that person supplying these items and we've had guests ask, "Where exactly did the mattress come from and what is the specific model # of it?" A true compliment!
It's ironic that being a shopper in a professional capacity changes your outlook on what you are looking for. You are not only shopping for what you like, you are anticipating what your guests will like. It's not just the adults, you have to appeal to the teens and kids too. There's a mix of every personality staying in a rental unit, which means it's critical to identify the overall theme. I've written about this topic in another post [The Basics of How to Furnish a Vacation Rental Property] and it's important to get it right. A guy's rustic fishing trip kind of place is completely different than a ladies' luxury getaway or a romantic couple's retreat.
Everything needs to work together in a cohesive way and you have to know what the limits are. When is enough, enough? How much is too much to spend? Is good enough, enough? Is it time to stop shopping?
Your furnishings must not only look appealing, they need to endure wear and tear to get through at least one entire busy season. Value, quality and brands do make a difference for many items that need to last much longer than one season. Other items, such as bath towels and wash cloths need only meet your minimal standards because they will be replaced before showing lots of wear. No one wants to use a thread-bare towel or make-up stained wash cloth. This also applies to chipped dishes. Buy a moderately priced brand that will be available from year to year and replace every single chipped item. Tired, imperfect and dirty is what many guests have at home and they want to escape to fresh everything. Below, I will share where I shopped to furnish our vacation rental. Consider every possible bricks and mortar store and online resource to find the mix that works for you.
I love Walmart for anything where you only need the basics, large and small.
Home Goods is great for discounted prices on better quality close-out items
I also shopped regularly at Tuesday Morning for these same items, but unfortunately the retailer closed it's stores in 2023
Big box stores fill in a lot of gaps for practical household items
Thrift shops are ideal for pre-owned household items at a greatly reduced price. Typically, I drop off donations and then visit the shop to see if there's anything of interest. Thrift shop furniture is typically very well built if it's more than 20 years old and often will look fresh again with a new coat of paint.
Restaurant suppliers such as Gordons Food Service are great for commercial grade products that need to wear well for many seasons.
Amazon, Etsy and other online retailers such as Overstock and Wayfair offer practical specialty and unique items.
Surf shops are great for finding local items that add that extra special touch.
Let's be real, there's no need to pay for free driftwood and shells from your local beach. Buy the items that you can't find at the shore.
Local mom and pop retail or consignment shops, such as Retail Therapy in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida typically offer local products for a one-of-a-kind purchase.
Mattress Firm, Rooms to Go and local furniture stores have practical options at various price points for big ticket items.
National retailers such as Marshalls/TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, At Home, Kirklands, Five Below and other medium to large home stores offer items you might not find elsewhere.
Before Bed, Bath and Beyond closed stores in 2023, I shopped there as well.
You have to know when to edit yourself and stop shopping. If you can't do this on your own, ask a trusted friend or family member for honest feedback. No one wants to stay in a place that has too much of a good thing. If necessary, rotate your regular and seasonal accessories so returning guests feel there's something new to enjoy for their stay. Retire items that start to show a little wear, not after they are worn out or too dirty to clean. Never keep broken items, not only is it a safety hazard, it's unbecoming.
As a professional shopper, it can be fun, but it is a LOT of work. Pace yourself so you can think about each item and how it relates to what you already have. If necessary, return it or donate it to a local charity. I bought a charming $35 lamp with a sea-grass shade at Home Goods. Upon installing it in the rental unit's bedroom, it didn't quite look right. So I decided to paint it a coastal blue hue to blend in better with the decor. It still didn't look right and now it had an imperfect paint job. I felt it was time to retire the lamp. Letting go of the items that are not working for one reason or another is better than making a bad impression.
One more thing: don't forget to keep an eye on the trends. After a few years, it's important to replace dated items with fresher things, not because they actually are bad, just to keep ahead of or equal to your competition. Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy the large and small items that provide the extra special charm.
-- Gertrude Stein, American Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Art Collector [1874-1946]
The information contained in this website is for general information purposes only. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information, products, services, or related graphics contained on the website for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from or in connection with, the use of this website.
Through this website you are able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Midlife Snowbird. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those sites. The inclusion of any links or advertisements does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.