@Kerry428 What a beautiful home you have. Seriously. I don't know the market in Fargo, though I have been there numerous times. But my best guess is your price is too low. Don't ever opt in for Smart Pricing. For 6 adults to stay anyway for $125.00/night is a steal. Many folks on here told me in years past that the high end furniture we have invested in, and over $100,000 in upgrades was foolish to do for an airbnb. My thinking was that if we make our log home really nice, we can charge a higher price and just maybe people willing to pay $325/night might have a pretty good idea how to appreciate nice things. After 5 years, I can say from my one and only experience that 9 out of 10 groups who stayed at our home have been wonderful. It's the 10th group of guests that have cost us dearly. Replacing brand new oak flooring, a New Zealand wood rug, a $3,000 mattress (guests brought birds who ate it), several custom chairs, an heirloom dining table.... Those were stupid on our part. I regret that. But for us personally, the hardest part was even with all the pictures, documentation, receipts of work that had to be done, etc. I was frustrated to learn in our case Airbnb CS did not back us up. All three times we asked for support they said it was the cost of doing business. Airbnb will not allow us to collect a security deposit as is the case with their competitors. Some folks on here say that's why they have switched to other sites to list their homes.
For us, we are getting out of the business and finally retiring to enjoy this same home for ourselves. I don't mean to be a downer for you or others in this group. I am simply sharing our experience. We are glad we tried this, and it has made us money. This group in particular has taught me so much and we are grateful. I hope in your case Airnbnb will support your damage claims. Again, you have a lovely home. Best wishes.
