Preparing for Guests

Renting your home for the Masters Tournament through the Masters Housing Bureau can be extremely rewarding, financially, but it is important that you take the steps necessary to be sure your home is ready for your guests.

Seasoned renters have their own systems and can prepare their homes quickly, but even those with years of experience will tell you it takes time and attention to detail. First year renters may find the tasks daunting at first, but we try to simplify the task by providing these suggestions.

Deep Clean Your Home, Inside and Out

First, and foremost, your home and your property must be spotless. While you may want to do the work yourself, most experts recommend you hire a reputable professional cleaning service. Your home needs to be deep cleaned with attention paid to every little detail. Have this done a week or two before Masters week. And don't forget the outside of your home. If you have a regular lawn care service, they will know what to do. If not, find a reputable company to get your property Masters ready. Check our convenient directories for potential vendors.

Repair Any Hazards

Inspect your home closely for any potential hazards like a loose step, a loose piece of tile and any exposed wiring. Fix anything that might cause an injury or discomfort for your guests. Make sure all light bulbs, inside and out, are in working order. Be sure to leave extra light bulbs and let your housekeeper know where they are.

Stock Up on Supplies

Unless your cleaning service for Masters week provides supplies, you should stock up on glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, toilet brushes, dishwasher and laundry soaps, brooms, mops, etc. Be sure you have a good working vacuum cleaner and if you have hardwood floors, provide cleaning instructions and supplies.

Stock up on bathroom supplies including bath soap, toilet tissue and Kleenex. It's a good idea to get liquid body wash for the tub and shower and liquid hand soap for the sink. Find soaps that are not gender specific

Purchase plenty of towels, sheets and pillowcases. You should have a set of at least two towels, hand towels and washcloths per guest. Seasoned hosts usually buy a good supply of white towels, hand towels and bath cloths and use them only for Masters week. Watch for a white sale at one of the local department stores and stock up. Be sure to discard frayed or discolored towels and replace them each year.

Provide at least two sets of nice sheets and two pillowcases for each bed. Again, many homeowners who rent each year have sets of sheets used exclusively for Masters. You should also provide a few extra blankets.

Bed and Bath Suggestions

Provide space in a closet in each bedroom with spare hangers. Empty at least one dresser drawer and designate it for your quests' use. Nightlights are in each room are a nice touch too. Be sure there is a lamp on each bedside table. Alarm clocks are optional; in most cases they have been replaced by mobile phones.

Remove any personal items from countertops and at least one bathroom drawer. It's a good idea to have bath mats or rugs in each bathroom.

Luggage racks are a nice touch in each bedroom and your guests will remember you for them. You can find them at prices ranging from $30 to $75 online and in big box stores.

Make your children’s bedrooms as adult as possible. Remove their personal collections, posters, toys, etc. And don't make your guests sleep under a Strawberry Shortcake comforter.

Special Instructions

Leave well-written special instructions for operation of appliances and electronics. Be sure to include instructions on how to operate all the remote controls for your television sets and other electronics, as well as how to access your Internet connection. Also leave clear instructions on how to operate the dishwasher, washing machine, clothes dryer, stove, heating and air conditioning system and any security system.

Leave a list of emergency numbers where you or a member of your family can be reached. Make sure Masters Housing Bureau has the name of your preferred electrician, plumber, etc. as well as the location of shutoff valves for water, electricity, and gas lines.

Leave a list of nearby hospitals, urgent care clinics, drug stores and grocery stores

TVs, DVRs and other Electronics

Guests need access to TVs, DVRs, satellite and cable services and may want to use your music sound system. Any special instructions should be left for the operation of equipment. Leave a channel guide for your cable or satellite provider. Be sure all the remotes have fresh batteries and are labeled on the back for which device they match.

Be sure you have WI-FI accessible in all areas of your home and leave passwords and usernames on your instructions for your guests. Another nice touch is access to a desktop computer with printer/scanner combination.

Appliances

All appliances must be in working order. Clean out your refrigerator, leaving only those things your guests are welcome to use. Leaving some refreshing beverages for the first night is a good idea. Be sure there is room in your freezer for ice, ice cream and other frozen food items. Stock the fridge with basic condiments: mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, etc.

Smoking Area

Even though there is a no smoking policy for indoors, Masters guests are particularly fond of fine cigars and like to relax with a beverage and a smoke at the end of the day. Be sure to provide a relaxing smoking area outside of your home. It's a good idea to invest $30-$50 each in floor-standing ash cans or sand-filled urns.

Things to Provide Masters Housing Bureau

You are responsible for providing keys to our office on or prior to the Thursday before the tournament. You will need to pick up your keys from our office the week after. If you use the newer self-keyable locks, you may want to re-key. If you do, let us know and we will discard the keys you provided us.

Be sure we have a list of your emergency contacts, your preferred electrician, plumber, handyman, etc. as well as the location of shutoff valves for water, electricity and gas lines.

Before You Leave

Contact the post office and arrange for your mail to be held or make arrangements for your mail to be picked up every day. If you plan to board your pets, make reservations weeks before the tournament. Like motels and hotels, these kennels sell out early.

Take specific steps to protect your valuables. One option is to place all such items in a locked closet (or separate locked room, if available). For even more security, move your valuables elsewhere while your guests are at your place -- an off-site rental storage space, for example. Extremely valuable items, such as jewelry, can be placed in a bank safe deposit box. If you have a safe, use it for your most valuable items.

Please leave a list of emergency numbers where you or a member of your family could be reached, the name of your preferred electrician, plumber, etc. you use, as well as the location of shutoff valves for water, electricity, and gas lines.

Please remember, do not enter your property during Masters Week unless you have cleared this with our office. Your guests always expect to have privacy during their stay in Augusta.

Another nice touch is to leave a welcome basket for your guests with a nice bottle of wine, a selection of cheeses and crackers and maybe a few nice cigars. You can also leave your special instructions with this basket.