Horizon properties
Start Up Guide
Learn how to build a top-tier vacation rental.
Horizon Properties · Owner Launch Standard
Owner Startup
Purchase Guide
A concise launch catalog for durable owner-supplied property setup items. Designed for furniture, appliances, kitchenware, outdoor amenities, safety, access, and launch readiness.
Launch Scope
What Owners Purchase vs. What Horizon Supplies
This guide removes guesswork before a property goes live. Owners purchase durable setup items. Horizon manages guest-facing operating supplies, linens, replenishment, and turnover standards.
| Item Category | Supplied By | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Furniture, mattresses, dining sets, desks, decor anchors | Owner | One-time owner purchase. Must be durable, easy to clean, and photo-ready. |
| Kitchen appliances | Owner | Toaster, microwave, kettle, coffee maker, blender, and approved upgrades. |
| Tableware, cookware, utensils, serving pieces | Owner | Durable, neutral, replaceable pieces scaled to occupancy. |
| Smart TV, access hardware, safety equipment | Owner | TVs, smart locks/lockbox, smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers. |
| Outdoor amenities | Owner | BBQ, patio furniture, firepit, hot tub, ski/bike storage, EV charger where approved. |
| Linens, sheets, duvet covers, pillows, bedding | Managed to Horizon operating standards for consistency and turnover control. | |
| Towels, bath textiles, hot tub towels | Managed by Horizon unless otherwise approved in writing. | |
| Toiletries, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap | Horizon supplies and replenishes guest bathroom amenities. | |
| Toilet paper, paper towel, pods, spices, coffee supplies | Horizon handles operational consumables and guest refills. | |
| Cleaning chemicals and turnover consumables | Horizon manages consumable cleaning inventory for operations. |
Owner purchasing principle: buy durable, guest-proof items that improve comfort, photos, usability, and revenue. Avoid fragile decor, complicated appliances, personal items, and anything difficult to clean or replace.
Owner Checklist
Launch Purchases at a Glance
The property should feel complete, intuitive, and professionally prepared before the listing is photographed or activated.
| Area | Required Owner Purchases | High-Value Upgrades |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Core appliances, tableware, cookware, knives, prep tools, serving pieces, trash/recycling hardware. | Air fryer, Nespresso/Keurig, slow cooker, cheese board, outdoor drinkware. |
| Dining | Dining table, dining chairs, bar stools if applicable, placemats/coasters. | Extendable table, durable bench seating, family-friendly high chair. |
| Living Room | Couch, chairs, coffee table, side tables, smart TV, lighting, rug, decor anchors. | Larger TV, game console, board games, premium sectional, media console. |
| Bedrooms | Bed frames, mattresses, nightstands, lamps, dressers/storage, mirrors, blackout curtains. | King beds, luggage racks, USB lamps, bunk room, Murphy bed. |
| Bathrooms | Garbage cans, plungers, toilet brushes, towel hooks/bars, shower curtain hardware, hair dryers. | Shelving, makeup mirror, premium fixture upgrades. |
| Outdoor | BBQ, patio seating, outdoor table, storage, entry mats, snow shovel/ice melt hardware. | Hot tub, firepit, sauna, EV charger, ski/bike storage, lounge area. |
| Safety & Access | Smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, smart lock/lockbox, exterior lighting. | Camera only where permitted and disclosed, labeled utility shutoffs. |
| Cleaning Equipment | Vacuum, broom, dustpan, mop, laundry baskets, iron/board, owner/cleaner storage. | Cordless vacuum, lockable owner closet, utility shelving. |
Kitchen & Dining
Durable, Complete, Guest-Proof
The kitchen should support real guest use, not just photos. Stock quantities should scale with occupancy and be easy to replace.
| Category | Required Standard | Recommended Brands / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Appliances | Toaster, microwave, blender, drip coffee maker, electric kettle. | Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, Ninja, Panasonic, Danby. |
| Premium Appliances | Keurig or Nespresso, air fryer, slow cooker, rice cooker. | Ninja, Cosori, Instant Vortex, Crock-Pot, Keurig, Nespresso. |
| Tableware | Dinner plates, side plates, bowls, water glasses, mugs, wine glasses. | Minimum: occupancy x 1.5 for core pieces. Corelle, IKEA 365+, Libbey. |
| Cutlery | Forks, knives, spoons, teaspoons, steak knives. | Minimum: occupancy x 1.5. Oneida, Henckels, IKEA Dragon. |
| Cookware | 2 frying pans, 2 saucepans, stock pot, medium pot, baking sheets, casserole dish. | T-fal, Cuisinart, Lagostina, Kirkland, Pyrex. |
| Prep Tools | Knife set, cutting boards, peeler, can opener, tongs, ladle, whisk, spatulas, grater. | OXO, KitchenAid, Starfrit, Victorinox, Cuisinart. |
| Serving | Serving platter, large bowl, salad servers, corkscrew, bottle opener, BBQ tools if BBQ exists. | Simple, neutral pieces. Avoid fragile specialty items. |
| Dining Area | Dining table, chairs, bar stools if applicable, coasters, placemats. | Seating should reasonably match max occupancy. |
Kitchen rule: a guest should be able to cook breakfast, dinner, and a simple group meal without searching for missing basics.
Interior Setup
Living Room, Entryway & Bedrooms
Interior purchases should create a clean, warm, mountain-ready guest experience without adding operational clutter.
| Area | Owner-Supplied Items | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Living Room | Couch, accent chairs, coffee table, side tables, smart TV, TV stand or mount, lamps, rug, decor anchors. | Comfortable seating should align with property size and occupancy. |
| Entertainment | Streaming-ready TV, remote, media console, board games/cards. | Small condos: 43–50 in. Standard homes: 55–65 in. Large/luxury homes: 65–75 in. |
| Entryway | Entry mat, boot tray, coat hooks, shoe rack, bench, mirror. | Critical for winter, lake, and mountain traffic. |
| Bedroom Furniture | Bed frame, mattress, headboard, nightstands, lamps, dresser/storage, blackout curtains. | Owners do not provide bedding, linens, towels, or pillows unless approved. |
| Bedroom Upgrades | Full-length mirror, luggage rack, USB lamps, fan if no AC. | Hotel-style convenience improves guest perception. |
| Occupancy Expansion | Bunk beds, sofa beds, Murphy beds. | Only use sturdy, safe, professionally installed products. |
| Workstation | Desk, chair, lamp, power bar, optional monitor. | Best for shoulder-season and longer stays. |
Bedroom boundary: Horizon manages bedding and towels. Owners focus on durable bedroom furniture, mattresses, lighting, storage, mirrors, and blackout coverage.
Bathroom & Utility
Hardware Only, Not Consumables
Owners supply the durable bathroom hardware and utility equipment. Horizon supplies bathroom consumables and textile standards.
| Category | Owner-Supplied Items | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom Hardware | Bathroom garbage can, plunger, toilet brush, towel hooks/bars, shower rod/curtain hardware. | Required for each bathroom. |
| Convenience Items | Hair dryer, shelf/storage, makeup mirror, step stool where useful. | Strong guest convenience value. |
| Not Owner-Supplied | Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, toilet paper, towels, bath textiles. | Supplied and replenished by Horizon. |
| Cleaning Equipment | Vacuum, broom, dustpan, mop, bucket, laundry baskets, iron, ironing board, drying rack. | Durable equipment only. Horizon handles turnover consumables. |
| Waste & Recycling | Kitchen garbage can, bathroom cans, recycling bins, outdoor bins where required. | Use appropriately sized bins. Avoid tiny kitchen cans. |
| Owner / Cleaner Storage | Lockable owner closet or utility shelving. | Keeps operations clean and organized. |
Outdoor Amenities
Revenue-Focused Mountain & Lake Setup
Outdoor purchases should strengthen photography, seasonal usability, and guest experience in the Columbia Valley market.
| Amenity | Owner Purchase Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ | BBQ, cover, tools, propane tank where applicable. | One of the most useful summer and group-stay amenities. |
| Patio Dining | Outdoor table and chairs. | Best when seating aligns with likely group size. |
| Outdoor Lounge | Durable lounge chairs/sectional, cushion storage, side tables. | High photo value and stronger perceived nightly rate. |
| Firepit | Firepit and chairs if permitted. | Confirm rules, insurance, and safe placement. |
| Hot Tub | Hot tub only with approved service plan. | Premium conversion driver, but requires strict maintenance. |
| Winter Readiness | Snow shovel, boot trays, entry mats, ski/snowboard storage. | Essential for mountain properties and winter stays. |
| Summer Readiness | Bike storage, cooler, umbrella/shade, outdoor storage. | Useful for lake and family stays. |
| Premium Upgrades | Sauna, EV charger, game area, outdoor lighting. | Use where the property can support the upgrade cleanly. |
Outdoor rule: every outdoor amenity should be safe, usable, easy to maintain, and obvious in listing photos.
Safety, Access & Maintenance
Launch-Ready, Guest-Ready, Operator-Ready
Safety and access items protect the owner, the guest, and the operating team. These are required before launch unless otherwise confirmed by Horizon.
| Category | Required / Recommended Owner Items | Brand / Setup Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Life Safety | Smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors where applicable, fire extinguisher, first aid kit. | Kidde, First Alert. Ensure devices are current and properly placed. |
| Access | Smart lock, backup lockbox, spare key/fob process. | Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, August, Master Lock. |
| Exterior Safety | Exterior lighting, secure railings, safe stairs, window/door locks. | Guest arrival should feel safe after dark. |
| Utility Readiness | Labeled electrical panel, water shutoff location, furnace filters, basic tool kit. | Useful for emergencies and maintenance calls. |
| Protection | Furniture pads, door stops, touch-up paint, spare bulbs, extension cords/power bars. | Prevents avoidable damage and urgent supply runs. |
| Not Recommended | Indoor cameras, plug-in scent diffusers, fragile decor, personal photos, political/religious decor. | Avoid privacy, allergy, and guest comfort issues. |
Purchase Standards
Brand Direction & Buying Rules
Owners do not need the most expensive option. The best STR purchase is durable, neutral, intuitive, replaceable, and easy to clean.
| Category | Value / Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Appliances | Hamilton Beach, Black+Decker, Danby, Oster. | Cuisinart, Ninja, Panasonic, Breville. |
| Cookware | T-fal, Starfrit, IKEA, Kirkland. | Cuisinart, Lagostina, Henckels, Pyrex. |
| Furniture | IKEA, Wayfair, Costco, Structube. | Article, EQ3, solid wood local pieces. |
| TV / Tech | TCL Roku, Hisense, Fire TV Stick. | Samsung, LG, Sonos, larger Roku TVs. |
| Outdoor | Hampton Bay, Costco, Keter, Suncast. | Weber, Napoleon, Solo Stove, Yardistry. |
| Safety / Access | Kidde, First Alert, Master Lock. | Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, Ecobee. |
Do Buy
- ✓Neutral colors, warm lighting, durable surfaces, simple appliances, easy-to-replace dishware, storage that supports turnover.
- ✓Items that photograph well and survive repeated guest use.
Do Not Buy
- ×Fragile decor, glass coffee tables, white fabric couches, complex espresso machines, excessive pillows, indoor cameras, strong scents, personal photos.
- ×Items that look nice once but create cleaning, damage, privacy, or guest-comfort issues.
Pre-Launch Approval
Owner Readiness Checklist
Before photography and go-live, Horizon reviews the property for guest usability, operational consistency, and listing readiness.
| Readiness Area | Launch Standard | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Appliances, cookware, dishes, cutlery, serving items, and dining capacity are complete. | □ Ready |
| Living Areas | Furniture, TV, lighting, entryway, storage, and decor are photo-ready. | □ Ready |
| Bedrooms | Bed frames, mattresses, nightstands, lamps, storage, mirrors, and blackout coverage are complete. | □ Ready |
| Bathrooms | Durable hardware is in place: cans, plungers, toilet brushes, hooks/bars, hair dryers where required. | □ Ready |
| Outdoor | BBQ, patio furniture, firepit/hot tub, storage, seasonal items, and safety requirements are ready. | □ Ready |
| Access & Safety | Smart lock/lockbox, detectors, extinguisher, exterior lighting, and utility details are complete. | □ Ready |
| Cleaning Equipment | Vacuum, broom, mop, baskets, iron/board, bins, and storage area are available. | □ Ready |
| Horizon-Supplied Items | Linens, towels, toiletries, consumables, pods, spices, coffee supplies, and turnover materials will be supplied by Horizon. | □ Confirmed |
Final approval standard: the property is approved when it is durable, guest-ready, operator-ready, photo-ready, and aligned with Horizon Properties standards.