As you probably already know, my husband and I have a home near Ocho Rios, Jamaica that is listed on Airbnb. We currently live in New York and managing an Airbnb from another country comes with unique challenges. Airbnb has been a great income stream for the last three years and we have learned some valuable lessons along the way.
If you own a home in another country or are purchasing in another country and are thinking of listing the home on Airbnb, these tips should help you succeed, even from abroad!
House Manager/Co-Host
A reliable and trustworthy House Manager, also called a Co-Host on Airbnb, is essential. We have two co-hosts that assist with day to day management of the home. They oversee lawn maintenance, repairs and cleanings. Another important task is they meet guests when they check-in to answer any questions and meet guests at check-out. It is important to have a co-host check the house promptly after a guest leaves to ensure nothing in the home is missing or damaged. As a host on Airbnb, you have 14 days to write a review for each guest. I typically try to write a review within 48 hours of guest departure, so it is vital to have a co-host check the condition of the home.
A co-host is a great resource for guests. They can answer questions about local attractions or more specific questions about the home. For example, a recent guest could not find pots in the kitchen and they reached out to the co-host.
Another instance where the co-host greatly helped was when the power went out. I knew the power had gone out because JPS, the power company in Jamaica sent a notification. I asked the co-host to go by the house and make sure the power was restored and that everything was working properly. I was not sure how long the power was out and I was concerned the ice in the ice maker may have melted and leaked onto the floor. The co-host went by the house to check and everything was fine. Having that peace of mind when you’re not present is priceless.
Housekeeper
A good housekeeper is essential for any Airbnb. If you have someone reliable that you’ve used in the past that is great! If you do not, I suggest asking your neighbors if they know of a trustworthy housekeeper. Referrals are the best way to find the right fit. Keep in mind that you may need the house to be turned around quickly between guests. For example a guest checks out on Monday and the next guest checks in on Tuesday. You want to make sure your housekeeper is able to accommodate the unique schedule of an Airbnb. Be sure to mention this to any prospective housekeepers and confirm with them that they are able to be flexible. There has been one time where I had a quick turnaround and my housekeeper could not clean on a particular day and the co-host was able to get someone to clean. (Another reason why a great co-host is essential to success!)
If you are using a new housekeeper make sure the co-host does a thorough check of the home before a guest arrives. As a host, you are reviewed and rated based on a few criteria, one being cleanliness of the home. In order to get repeat bookings and new guests, you must ensure the home is clean and well kept.
Handyman/Contractors
A general handyman and list of contractors is very helpful. If you do not have contacts in the area where you home is, ask your co-host or neighbors for their recommendations. A handyman is helpful to make minor repairs. For example, a recent guest broke the toilet seat and it needed to be replaced. Our handyman was able to fix the next day before we had a new guest, so there was no impact to the next guest. The handyman can also ensure all the light bulbs are working. We had a wasp’s nest on the exterior of the home a few weeks ago and the handyman sprayed the nest to get rid of them. These are all this that need to be resolved to ensure the guest is as comfortable as possible.
A list of trusted contractors is also good to have. I suggest having at least a plumber and electrician that you can call. You may need other specialized contractors, depending on your property. If you recently bought the home, ask your neighbors to share their list of contractors as a starting point.
Cameras
If you are managing an Airbnb remotely, it is very beneficial to install security cameras. We have two exterior security cameras at our home. One that shows the driveway and front door and the one that shows the backyard and back door. Our home, as many homes in Jamaica, is completely grilled. Therefore we do not feel the need to install cameras on the sides of the home. If your home has a lot of windows or possible entry points you can install more cameras.
We use Ring cameras so we can monitor from abroad. I like the Ring cameras because they are connected to Wifi and I can pull up past footage or a live view of the home at any time. If your home gets enough sun, I suggest installing Ring Solar Panels to power the cameras. This way you never have to charge the batteries. We have had our cameras over two years and have never had an issue. As a side note, make sure that your power and Wifi are never interrupted so the cameras do not go down.
Lockbox for Keys/Keypad Entry
A great addition to any Airbnb is a lockbox for keys. This enables the guest to self check-in. This can be convenient if the guest checks in or checks out early in the morning or late in the evening. There is a place on Airbnb to specify that the guest can check themselves in.
Depending on your property you may be able to install keypad entry which would serve the same purpose as a lockbox. This would also allow the guest to check-in at any time. It also gives the co-host the flexibility to not have to meet the guest to exchange keys. During COVID-19 it is especially nice to have a lockbox or keypad entry to avoid unnecessary contact between co-hosts and guests.
I hope the above tips assist you in managing your Airbnb from abroad! Please leave a comment with any questions.
Stay Blessed,
Jess
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