Airbnb has grown exponentially in the last few years, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down any time soon. With an estimated 660,000 Airbnb listings available in the US alone, this home-sharing service has transformed how millions of people travel around the world—but it can be tough to run your own Airbnb property if you’re new to the game. The most important thing to remember when running an Airbnb property is to treat it like a business rather than just renting out your extra room.
If you’re thinking about listing your home on Airbnb, it’s essential to know what works and what doesn’t. The following tips will help ensure that your property is profitable and well-received by your guests and Airbnb itself.
Choose a Good Location
If you’re serious about running a successful Airbnb property, you need to make sure your space is in a busy area. Lots of vacationers stay in popular, convenient locations because they want to save time and money on transportation and parking—and to accommodate them, you’ll have to be close to places they want or need to visit.
Explore real estate listings and find out which areas are most popular with tourists. Make a list of these locales and then narrow it down based on things like price, space, and offered amenities The ideal place should offer some privacy while also being located near lots of tourist attractions. A good example? Vegas!
Provide Great Amenities
When you’re running a short-term rental property, your guests will only be there temporarily—but in those few days, they should feel like they’re at home. Offer all the amenities you would in your place: snacks, coffee and tea supplies, toiletries, etc. Your guests will thank you for leaving great reviews!
Keep It Spotless
When you’re running a short-term rental property, your guests will most likely be strangers to you. You must make them feel as comfortable as possible by keeping your home in tip-top shape. One way to do so is to keep your home sparkling clean! You might want to consider hiring a professional cleaner if you don’t have time or energy to do it yourself, but doing it regularly will create a solid foundation of trust and ensure each guest has an excellent experience.
How often should you clean? Cleaning experts agree that spotless a home between tenants is vital to maintaining its integrity. Keeping sheets laundered, bathrooms stocked with fresh linens, and making sure surfaces are free from dust can take the stress off your mind while attracting repeat business.
Add the Best Lighting
When it comes to enhancing your Airbnb space, you can’t overlook great lighting. Especially if you’re listing a room in your home, good lighting is essential to ensuring that your guests have a comfortable stay. Choose light bulbs that will ensure enough illumination but won’t give off too much glare, and avoid direct sunlight or bright overhead lights. There are tons of options out there, so experiment with different fixtures until you find what works best! Also consider adding attractive lamps, ceiling-mounted lanterns, or decorative string lights.
Market It Well
Once you’ve found your ideal location, established yourself as a local, and acquired a beautiful apartment, take some time to market it well. Invest in professional photos of your space that highlight its best features. Make sure your calendar is up-to-date since many guests will book last minute, while others prefer to plan. Get reviews on sites like Airbnb and TripAdvisor, but make sure they’re legitimate by filtering out fake ones. You can also create a Facebook page for your property, which often helps with marketing. You can showcase photos and videos there, and people can also tag you if they post about their stay.
Invest In Its Interior Design
Outfitting your home with stylish furniture and accessories gives guests a more welcoming and comfortable experience. It’s also a great way to add value to your property, making it more desirable to potential renters. Before you buy anything, be sure that each purchase reflects what kind of house you want to run; investing in a rustic look might make sense if your goal is to rent out space by the night, but it probably won’t if you want more long-term tenants.
Communicate Well With Guests
Communicating effectively with your guests is an important part of running a successful Airbnb property. Offer clear instructions about check-in and be sure to answer any questions promptly. Doing so will increase your chances of gaining positive reviews from guests, which will lead to more bookings down the road. If you do get a negative review, take it seriously and make an effort to address and resolve any issues that might have led to it. Asking for feedback at each stage of your guest’s stay can help build rapport and ensure you are always providing excellent service.
Make Sure You Have A Lot to Offer
First and foremost, make sure you have a lot of space and amenities to offer. To compete with hotels or other vacation rentals, your home needs to stand out—and to do that, it should be spacious, comfortable, modern, and well-stocked. Start by listing attractions and activities near your property to show guests that you’re situated in a good location.
These are some of our favorite tips for operating a successful property and getting high-quality reviews from guests. Your experience as an Airbnb host will be so much more enjoyable if you run your listing following these tried-and-true strategies.
