Did you know that over 2 million people stay in an Airbnb rental every single night?
Regardless of Airbnb’s popularity, there are still over 7 million Airbnb listings, and it’s become commonplace to rent condos and houses on Airbnb. If you want your Airbnb to be successful, you have to treat it like a business and work to stand out from the competition.
Read on for seven stellar tips on how to run the best Airbnb rental.
1. Attention to Detail: It’s All About the Little Things
Sometimes low price, small items that you have available to your guests makes all the difference. You want to think like a hotel and go out of your way to make sure guests have everything they need.
Guests are on vacation, and they want things to be as effortless as possible. What are some things that you could always have on hand that will make a difference?
Go beyond having a couple of shampoo and conditioner samples in the bathroom. Make sure there are plenty of large, fluffy towels in the bathroom. Perhaps have some mini toothpaste and extra toothbrushes available in case someone forgets it.
If guests want to cook a meal, they don’t want to worry about buying every single thing. Some excellent items to always have on hand in the house are salt and pepper, olive oil, coffee, tea, and some basic spices.
It’s also a nice touch to add entertainment; something guests won’t get in a hotel. Books, magazines, board games, or movies are all great options so that guests can relax in the house on their vacation. They’ll appreciate it, especially if they get a rainy day.
2. Cleanliness Is Key
Rental experts recommend leaving as much as you can to the professionals. Hiring an excellent cleaner is the best way to keep your rental house or condo well-maintained, reduce your stress, and keep your guests happy.
Choosing an Airbnb cleaning service is nothing to mess around with. Especially during COVID, you want to make sure that your Airbnb is spotless, leaving guests assured that they can enjoy their vacation and have nothing to worry about it.
Every Airbnb host needs to be concerned about their reviews. Cleanliness is the first category in the reviews section on Airbnb and your guests will rate your Airbnb property on a scale from 1 to 5.
3. Use High-Quality Photos of Your Property
When it comes to taking pictures of your property to post on Airbnb, do not skimp on the expense of getting professional Airbnb pictures taken.
Guests are browsing accommodations online, and they’re choosing what vacation home to rent based on the pictures. Airbnb listings with professional photos can earn 40% more than those properties without professional images.
The experts recommend having ten pictures of your space. Make sure to have images of the house itself, any amenities offered, and the surrounding area. If you’re near the beach, include a great shot of the nearest beach area.
4. Install a Lockbox at Your Airbnb Rental
One way to make your life and your guests’ lives a little easier is to install a lockbox at your Airbnb rental. If a guest is running late or adamant about having a contactless key pick up, it doesn’t get much easier than a lockbox.
Guests can be provided with a code and check themselves in at their convenience.
5. Be Responsive to Guests and Prospective Guests
If you want to run a successful Airbnb, it’s essential to respond promptly to your guests and any inquiries someone makes during their vacation home search. It’s risky to take too long to respond to questions because someone may go ahead and book another property who answered them more promptly.
It helps to create prepared responses, so you don’t have to retype the same answers repetitively. For example, having one response that you send out to each guest who books can save a lot of time. Additionally, thanking guests for their stay after leaving is a nice touch.
If you read Airbnb reviews, it’s plain to see that hosts’ slow response time is a common complaint that guests have. Your Airbnb depends on your reviews, so the prompter replies the better.
6. Price Appropriately
Many travelers choose to rent a vacation home because it’s more cost-effective than staying in a hotel. Keep this in mind when you are pricing your Airbnb.
Do your research when you go to price your Airbnb. Check out what local hotel costs are, and look at the other comparable Airbnb listings in your area.
When you start your Airbnb business, it might be a good idea to rent your home or condo for a lower price than comparable nearby properties. This way, you’ll get guests in early, get some good reviews, and you can adjust the price later.
Airbnb will suggest a rental price for you, but you aren’t required to list for that price. You ultimately set the price that meets your needs.
7. Learn the Local Short-Term Rental Laws
Every city and locality is different when it comes to Airbnb laws. Before you even start your Airbnb business, make sure you have mastered the local laws. Some cities require that you register your property or obtain a permit before you can host any guests.
Some cities don’t even allow short-term bookings in the home. It’s better safe than sorry, so get up to speed on all your local regulations before getting started.
Become an Outstanding Airbnb Host
Now that you know everything there is to know about becoming an outstanding Airbnb host, it’s time to get to work on implementing some easy strategies to maximize your profit. Whether you need to hire a professional photographer or purchase some small items to improve guests’ experience, small changes to your Airbnb rental can make a big difference. If you need any help, you can always hire an Airbnb property management consultant or agency to take your business to the next level!
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