If you own an investment property, chances are you’re constantly assessing the best strategy to yield the biggest return in this ever-changing market.

With international travel proving to be financially out of reach for many pulling in the purse strings this year, there has been a revitalised focus on domestic tourism.

New Domestic Tourism Statistics (DoTS) from the Australian Trade and Investments Commission show that in the past year to March 2026, overnight spend for domestic trips has tipped $29.7 billion which is up 3% year on year.

We may be settling into the winter months but summertime in Australia is where investors can secure a healthy return through holiday bookings. Salt PM Managing Director Shaun Carney says property owners need to be getting their ducks in a row now to make the most of a successful summer.

Why is now the best time to get your property holiday ready?

The reality is many holidaymakers are beginning to forward plan their end of year movements now to get ahead of the last-minute rush. By the time school holidays, Christmas and New Year’s Eve roll around you’ll be lucky to find accommodation anywhere let alone in the highly sought-after Tweed Coast region.

Carney says that time is of the essence and moving to list your property in the winter months will put you in the best position to make the most profit.

“If you’re not listed by late July, you’re already leaving money on the table,” he says.

“Get locked in early, because guests are already looking now and once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

Getting your property holiday ready.

Giving yourself ample time to prepare your property is essential in making sure the holiday letting campaign runs smoothly and stands out from competitors.

When looking at timeframes, Carney says that on paper getting your property listed may take about a week to list, however there may be other things to consider if you’re hoping to make your listing the top hit for prospective holidaymakers.

“Realistically it takes about one week to arrange photos, compliance, pricing, the listing online and be ready to take bookings,” says Carney.

“But if you want a holiday property that offers something different and provides an impact on guests, than the reality is that it’s more likely two to three weeks.”

Before going live, a general checklist will include things like decluttering, squaring away legal and compliance (insurance, registration), choosing a strategy, ensuring safety and maintenance are up to code and investing in upgrades (keyless entry, entertainment, lifestyle add-ons like a sauna).

Going the extra mile now will pay off dividends when it comes to capitalising on the summertime domestic travel boom.

Don’t get caught out missing these key steps.

There’s a lot to consider when planning to list your property for holiday letting which means some essential steps can often get missed.

Allowing yourself enough time to ensure everything is ticked off is Carney’s biggest piece of advice for those looking to make their property stand out.

“The biggest mistake owners make is underestimating that lead time and then scrambling last minute,” he says.

“If the property needs painting, new appliances, or any compliance work, I’d add another two to four weeks on top of the original timeframe.

Another big oversight is not having a guest manual. Kingscliff guests want local knowledge – the best beaches, where to eat, parking tips. If that information isn’t there, you’ll feel it in your reviews. Go the extra mile now to get ahead of the pack.”

Choose the right strategy for your holiday property.

Listing your property for holiday letting is a big undertaking which is why choosing the strategy is so important. If you’re looking for assistance finding a property management team that understands the market and the local area can make a huge difference in the success of your property.

“When working with Salt PM we have a streamlined process to help property owners get their holiday listing ready,” says Carney.

“We work with clients to understand what the property needs, put together a styling brief and look at how to create a memorable stay for guests before photos are taken so that they are reflected in the advertising. From there we get the listing live on booking platforms and fine-tune the pricing strategy which is a critically important step.”

If you’re looking to list your property in time for the summer holiday rush, get in touch with Salt PM today.