This little cottage has come a long way since my dad used to rent it year round.  In the past couple of years, we have painted, built a pergola, added a patio and ping pong table, rebuilt the deck, and totally redecorated inside.  My father is a master craftsman.  He can build anything from wood.  Almost every aspect of the cottage was hand crafted.  From the front door & storm door to the floors, built in corner cabinet to the furnishings, he’s designed & created it all.

Interestingly, he has been using driftwood and reclaimed wood to create his pieces since the 1990’s, long before it was popular.  Together with artist Peter Beard, he started framing artwork in driftwood frames.  Then, they moved into shoadowboxes, display tables, and eventually he was using reclaimed wood to furnish local restaurants and build custom pieces for various clients.

The cottage is the quintessential Montauk getaway.  Affectionately nicknamed the Luv Shack, Dad has been renting to an impressive mix of tenants since the 1970s.  Writers, artists, local craftsman, and a Top Chef winner have all called the cottage their home at one time or another. If you’re interested in renting the cottage, contact us through the forms here.

If you’re here to grab some tips about how to maintain a vacation rental, the cottage is a great example of a side hustle that earns Dad extra money from the property he currently lives on.  I recommend starting with Airbnb.  Notice how the cottage is appointed with just what is necessary.  That’s not because it’s necessarily always a great idea to keep it sparse in a rental property, but when dealing with any small space, keeping trinkets and decor to a minimum is smart.  People will be looking for places to put their own things and if all of those surfaces are cluttered with knickknacks, it will make their vacation more difficult.

You’ll notice the exterior looks lush and well developed.  It’s always a plus to have fresh flowers blooming outside and to put some inside if you have time before each guest arrives.  If you don’t have time, a nice dried flower arrangement works nicely.  Some of the easiest flowers I’ve found to decorate with that take zero maintenance are Craspedia.  The bright yellow balls are fun and give a modern look.  If you’re decorating a more traditional space lavender has the same benefits.  If it’s a more rustic space and you’re looking for something gin a neutral tone a nice beachgrass or dried wheat can work well.  A few of these in a vase here and there will make all the difference.

You’ll want to provide a grill outside for BBQing and enough plates, glassware & silverware for the amount of people your rental can sleep along with extras for their friends to come for dinner. Do yourself a favor and buy an extra set of sheets + towels so you aren’t in a mad dash if you have back to back bookings. Most guests expect a wifi connection, and they appreciate cable or smart TVs where they can binge watch their own Netflix shows or put on a Disney program for the kids. Check out my article on taking great rental photos here.