TOP 5 TIPS TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL AIRBNB

If you are a host already, you know there is an option to put a minimum number of nights your guest can book your property. Think about your type of property, where are you located, what is your ideal renter?? Market to them. If you live in a vacation town do not let people book for any less than a 3 night minimum. This will cover long weekends and the longer a guest stays the less cleaning you need to do. $$$ Money in your pocket. If your property is in a busy city and you host mainly to business clients looking for an overnight stay then you should keep your minimum night stay to 1 night. This will appeal to those traveling for business and it will open you up to more bookings. Yes, more cleaning, but price your property accordingly.

What a nice segway I gave myself into PRICING. DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT under-value your property. At the same time… DO NOT over-value. When we started our Airbnb we were the highest price in town. We were booked solid our first summer renting! Remember, Value = Bookings. What do you offer guests and how does that compare to what they can get at a local hotel or B&B, do you offer yard space, close walk to a beach or to town? What about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms? A BBQ? A Kitchen? All these things ADD VALUE!! Guests don’t get these amenities at a hotel. Do market research and don’t be afraid to test the waters. What would you feel comfortable making on your property? What will make ends meet? Remember why you are doing it! AKA, to make money honey!!

Yes. You heard me correctly. THEME. Now don’t go overboard but seriously take a look the style of your rental. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT rent your family home. No one and I repeat no one wants to be staying in your family home full of clothes in the closet, clutter, toys, dog hair, junk drawers, and family photos. People are paying top dollar to have a space that feels like THEIR OWN! So if you don’t have the separate space then maybe now is not your time to host. The truth hurts sometimes. If you do not have a sense of style, get someone in that does! You want your guests to feel like they are walking into a hotel, so make them feel like they are walking into a stylish and CLEAN hotel.

Before you book any guests, stay in the rental yourself. What amenities would you need to feel comfortable? Think of everything from soap in the shower to toilet paper and a whisk in the kitchen to make pancakes. Coffee, salt, pepper, think of things you would love to have ready for you if you just arrived on vacation.

Keep it simple stupid!! Nothing crazy. Just greet your guests with a nice little something to make them say, “damn they thought of everything.” For example, a nice little guest book or welcome book and a bottle of wine, or a box of chocolates, or maybe there is something your area is known for. For example, a winery or a local cheese or coffee shop that you could buy something affordable to greet your guests with. Even just a nice welcome note is nice with a couple bottles of water!