So, you’ve taken the big step and invested in your first rental property; now you’re wondering how you’re going to see a return on your investment. Here we give you one scenario on how to turn this investment into an earning opportunity.

Buying a property of any kind is a big financial commitment, however it can also be an opportunity to grow your wealth whether that be through sheer value growth over a number of years or by letting the property out for rent, either on the short or long-term basis.

Many people who’ve invested in additional property, and especially property in a sectional title scheme, are now opting to rent their unit out on a short-term basis. The benefit of short-term letting is the ability to earn a higher rental income in a shorter space of time, than you would on a long-term lease agreement. However, many people don’t have the time or experience to manage their short-term bookings, or perhaps don’t know how or where to market themselves properly and this is where a managed rental platform can do all the hard work for you.

By now, most of us have either heard of Airbnb or used the booking platform ourselves. Airbnb has built a successful global model that has undoubtedly shaken up the hospitality industry and turned many property owners into rental income earners. Airbnb can be an extremely valuable tool, if used properly but may not be the best choice for those who are only starting their short-term letting journey now. The obstacle with a platform like Airbnb is that you are literally competing against multiple other properties trying to attract the same people as yours. Virtually any property can be listed on Airbnb and with that means there is masses of stock and too much choice- many people find it impossible to rise above the rest.

Fortunately, Airbnb is not the only option available to you. As a Lush owner, you’ll have exclusive use of Lush’s very own short-term letting platform. This platform is an invaluable letting management tool, which will also give you the chance to start small. But don’t worry, the beauty of technology means that, ultimately, you’ll be able to list your rental property on as many platforms as you like. Read our next blog to find out more about how Lush’s dedicated short-term rental platform could help you and other ways to squeeze more value out of your investment