A builder who's overseen more than 50 projects explains the best way to make your beach house more rentable

Advertisement

Marnie Oursler_Big Beach Builds

Courtesy of "Big Beach Builds"

Marnie Oursler of "Big Beach Builds," says it comes down to space.

Renting out your home - especially your beach home - can be a great source of passive income.

Advertisement

But how do you make your place stand out from the rest?

Marnie Oursler, star of "Big Beach Builds," says that in resort areas especially, it comes down to space.

"Bedrooms are key for rentals," Oursler, the founder of custom building company Marnie Homes in Bethany Beach, Delaware, tells Business Insider. "The more people you can sleep, the more popular your rental will be. More than one family can rent it, or multiple generations, all at the same time for a week."

It's not just about the best, Oursler adds. She's overseen the building and renovating of 60 homes, and she's seen some patterns. "Also for vacation homes, family space: the big great room, kitchen - if you're going to do something to change your beach house, updating kitchen is a good option for any house. At the beach, people like to stay in and cook and entertain."

Advertisement

Another, smaller addition that can make your home more appealing is an outdoor shower. "They're a novelty people don't have at home," says Oursler. "If they're nice, everybody uses them, and if they're OK, you can get the kids in there and keep the sand out of the house." She also recommends a nice outdoor space so people can come in off the beach, shower, and hang out outside. "At the beach, people want to be outside as much as possible," she says.

Whether you're building from scratch or renovating, "If you have to decide where to spend your money, I would do it where everyone can enjoy, instead of a few people," she previously told Business Insider.

"Big Beach Builds" will premiere on DIY Network on Monday, March 20th, at 9:00 P.M. EST and 9:30 P.M. EST.

NOW WATCH: The 15 most expensive ZIP codes in America