Managing a successful Airbnb property seems simple, but there is a lot that goes into setting it up properly and managing it well. My husband and I bought a home near Ocho Rios, Jamaica in 2016 and have had it listed on Airbnb since 2018. I have learned a lot during this time and hope my experience will assist in making your Airbnb successful and easy to manage!
Good Pictures/Video
Make sure your pictures are high quality and accentuate the positive features of the home. As a woman, I like to see pictures of the kitchen and bathroom. Be sure to include these in your photos to let the guest get an idea of where they will be staying. It is a good idea to include a picture of the front of the home so the guest knows they are at the right place when they arrive.
Another great addition would be a video. This could include a driving tour from the entrance of the community to your home. A walk-through video tour of the home gives guests a feel for the flow and functionality of the home. This can be important to some guests based on the length of their stay and who will be renting. For example, someone with kids may want to know how close the bedrooms are to make sure they can keep an eye on kids. If you make a video be sure to explain how you use the home when you are there. For example, if there is a front porch you can mention it is a great place to sit and read, relax or have breakfast. This helps the guest envision themselves staying there and could make your listing more inviting that others.
Detailed Listing
Take the time to completely and accurately fill out all the sections on the website. This will help you get more bookings when people search for specific criteria. It also helps the guest understand what is included with your home and if it is the best option for them. If you make changes to the home that affect information in the listing make sure you update immediately. For example, if you add a coffee maker or hair dryer update the listing so guests know what to expect for their stay. Airbnb frequently updates their website and app and will send you push notifications in the form of emails and also when you loving to your account. Be sure to read the notifications and action anything that pertains to you.
Be Honest
No property is perfect and it is best to be honest. You do not have to highlight downsides to your home, but make sure that if a guest asks a specific question about the home that you answer them honestly. The last thing you want to do is give a potential guest expectations of your home only to be disappointed once they arrive. This will lead to an unhappy guest and could cause you to get a less than stellar review at the conclusion of the stay. Reviews are important to keep your listing high in the search result and also affect your ability to become a Superhost.
Good Communication & Quick Responses
Potential guests often send questions through the Airbnb app prior to confirming a reservation. Be sure to answer their questions quickly. The standard required timeframe according to Airbnb is 24 hours, however I try to answer immediately or within 1 hour. The reason is, if someone is on the website or app looking at homes and they send questions to three different hosts, they will most likely book a stay with the host that gets back to them the quickest. So, I try to answer all messages asap to ensure I get the maximum number of bookings.
The same goes for guests that are currently staying in your home. They may send you a message asking about lack of hot water, burnt out light bulbs, where the iron is stored or numerous other questions. By responding to them quickly you show them you are still engaged once they have checked in. This will make their stay more enjoyable and result in a better review.
Be sure to provide future guests with any information they will need to locate the property and enter the property. If you have a lockbox with keys, make sure the guest has the correct code to avoid issues. It is a good idea to reach out to the guest prior to their arrival to confirm check in time. Similarly, reach out to the guest the day before check out to confirm check out time, especially if you have to meet them to pick up keys and check the home for damages or issues.
If you are currently renting your property on Airbnb, what other tips would you give to new hosts? Please leave any feedback or questions in the comment section!
If you are looking to rent an Airbnb, you can search for your perfect getaway below.
I hope the above was useful. If you enjoyed the information or have any questions please leave a comment!
Stay Blessed,
Jess
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