The clever way to pay for your next holiday

Listing your home could provide a great holiday for others. Credit: Getty

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Simone and Leon Murphy's Christmas was picture-perfect: relaxing by the private pool in a lush Bali villa, with staff taking care of all the cooking, shopping and laundry, kids happily occupied, and nothing to worry about for the whole blissful fortnight except which cocktail to sip next.

But the interesting part of the family's luxury escape was that just months ago the couple had been struggling to make ends meet.

When Leon's contract work had dried up, they'd needed solutions fast. They considered selling their four-bedroom home in North Fremantle, WA, and downsizing, but the real estate market was down and they'd make a significant loss.

Besides, they didn't want to leave their home. They'd bought it to be close to their parents and, near the banks of the Swan River, close to Leighton and Cottesloe beaches. With four bathrooms and spacious outdoor areas, it was a perfect family home.

"So instead, we thought, why not list our house for holiday rentals and see what we can get for it?" says Simone.

Bookings soon came in, and with guests confirmed for Christmas and New Year, the Murphy family's situation changed dramatically. With a full fortnight booked out at a rate of $600-$650 per night, they could afford to get back on track financially – with some cash to spare for a holiday.

"Mum and Dad go to Bali every year," says Simone. "So, we decided to book a beautiful villa near them while our house was occupied."

The income from their property's holiday rental covered gorgeous splurges such as daytrips to scenic spots, indulgent meals and pampering five-star service.

"But the best part was the total freedom from stress," says Simone. "After being worried about running out of money, our way of finding extra cash flow to survive had become this lovely treat."

The experience had been so positive that they repeated it, taking holidays in Albany and Margaret River. They hope to have another Bali trip soon.

Like many others, Simone and Leon have realised that their home's value goes far beyond its potential sale price. Its attractive location and features make it the ideal holiday rental, and an easy way to fund their own holidays.

Jervis Bay couple Pat and Alan made the same discovery after they retired and decided to spend the Australian winters travelling.

While the pair chase the sun and enjoy adventures in exotic destinations like Bhutan, Rwanda, the Maldives and Antarctica, their guests can bask on the shoreline of beautiful Jervis Bay at Sails on the Bay, the pretty one-bedroom apartment sharing an idyllic waterfront block of land with Pat and Alan's home.

With numerous attractions including dolphin watching, watersports, swimming or just unwinding, the tranquil apartment easily commands an average nightly rate of $338.

Since listing it as a holiday rental, the couple has travelled to more than 15 countries, with the extra cash enabling premium, once-in-a-lifetime experiences on their trips.

"We went kayaking with humpback whales in Antarctica," says Pat. "In Rwanda, we were face-to-face with a huge silverback gorilla on a tour right into the jungle and were able to sit beside the gorilla group while they ate and socialised."

Both couples say the process of listing and renting their homes is hassle-free.

"It's pretty straightforward to pack away our personal items and store them in locked cupboards," says Simone. "We're used to it now, and we have a system."

Says Pat: "Renting the apartment keeps it in better nick, because it's constantly being cleaned for guests. We have time to manage that ourselves, as well as the admin, which is nice and simple."

And in return for that little bit of effort, there's all that glorious globetrotting. "We'd never have done this amazing travel without renting out our property," says Simone. "It's making us get out of our home and explore somewhere new.'

Adds Pat: "It's brought more fun into our lives. It's such a fantastic ongoing education. And the sheer beauty of the world, the pleasure of meeting people, that's the whole package."

Stayz powered by HomeAway technology, is a world leader in the holiday rental industry and provides everything you need to rent out your property for the first time. You'll gain access to an exclusive set of tools that enable you to optimise your pricing, bookings and communication, as well as receive educational materials on how to market your rental to high-quality travellers. Stayz also provides homeowners $1M Liability Insurance cover for bookings they accept on the platform.

Interested to see how much your home could make? Receive an instant estimate of your property's rental potential based on nearby comparable rentals here.