Renting upstairs space in our home near the beach

[Deborah1558]

Hello,

I have been hosting on Airbnb for about 9 years, and now we have a 4 bedroom home with 3 full bathrooms.  It's only the two of us now, and  we mainly live on the first floor.  The two rooms upstairs have a (jack and jill)  bathroom between them.  I'm considering renting the two rooms upstairs (which are a bit away from our living space) on Airbnb.  

My question is:  How awkward is it to have strangers living in your house on a weekly (or weekend) basis.  

If you are doing this, renting rooms in your personal home, how's it going?  Do you love/hate it?  I do have a friend who rents airbnbs in people's home when she's traveling and seems to enjoy it.  

I also want to offer activities such as doing a drive on beach day, paddleboarding, kayaking or even a boat excursion in our little boat.

Thank you for any input!

Deb

[Marie8425]

@Deborah1558 

I have 3 Guest rooms usually rented to 3 different people haha.  It will depend on your personalities, my husband is the more flexible and I am  more the rules but we navigate nicely to the middle. lol  

What I found very helpful because cuts down on invasion of our kitchen, Amazon had 2 door mini fridges and  a very  nice but not cluttering food cabinet that I put in each room.  Because mine are mostly  long term I do have a  full size fridge they can share.  I am a coffee addict lol, so I offer my Keurig in the kitchen or if  they prefer drip or electric kettle in  the room.

When I did rooms in Hawaii most tourists arrive late  at  night now in Arizona all Check ins by 7pm.  You  need to know how is the typical  guest arriving?  

One thing I do now because I got burnt, no unnamed guests.  Everyone has to have an Airbnb account.  I  have electronic locks  but I don't  tell code until I  have viewed everyone's legal ID

[Heather1967]

Hi @Deborah1558! I can't speak to hosting guests in my home, as we host an entire home but as I can say as regarding the experiences that you want to offer you absolutely should! I am an Airbnb interior design and data analyst and without knowing where your home is that is being rented, I can say that amenities such a kayak and paddleboards can bring a $9-13K return on investment annually. These are great to have as well because guests love moments they can capture and share on social media. Please message if you want to connect more on your specific situation. Thanks! 

[Helen3]

Hi @Heather1967 

An interesting stat - can you you link to the stats you quote that state by having a paddle board or kayak hosts will generate a $9-13 ROI.

we don't normally ask hosts to DM us on this community but offer advice and support here for free. 

[Heather1967]

Hi @Helen3, That stat is pulled from raw data and consistent across lake and beach markets. Deborah doesn’t seem to have a property linked to her profile so I couldn’t be more specific so that’s why I mentioned to reach out. 👍

[Helen3]

As sompeone who has spent my career in marketing I'm confused as to how you could pull raw data that would be able to isolate that any increase was due to those two amenities alone or how you access raw data from this party properties @Heather1967 

[Paula]

Hello @Deborah1558, welcome to our community! This is a great question 😊

I am reaching out to some of our experienced Hosts to see if they would like to share their opinions:

@Helen3, @Alicia753, @Mary1523 @Karlis3 @Leigh625 and @Lorina14.

In the meantime, I would love to hear your thoughts on what our lovely Hosts have already shared here.

Looking forward to hearing from you ⭐

[Karlis3]

Hi @Deborah1558 ,

I myself do not rent rooms but I  have co-hosted properties with rooms for some time.
The fact whether to like it or not will eventually depend on you but to me the most important aspect was/is me feeling HOME at my own home.
Be aware that there will be other people in your house and be ready that you might be holding back on some things, you might not be doing all the things you are used to doing while living alone, some parts of your house might get crowded (the kitchen, terrace,  etc), your every move or action in the shared spaces can be observed  - all of which (+other aspects) can eventually make you feel a bit tense, not free and NOT at home in your own home.

Just pay attention to that and do the necessary adjustments so YOU always FEEL HOME at your place. Just like @Marie8425 did when buying each room their own mini-fridge and coffee maker.


Happy Hosting!
Karlis

[Helen3]

Interesting I've been a home host for nine years and that certainly hasn't been my experience 😊. 

when you cohosted the shared home did you live with the guests? 

[Marie8425]

@Karlis3 @Deborah1558 

I suppose you could feel invaded at times. haha

I rent  3 independent guest rooms in my shared house.   My main rooms are open for use.  I usually have 3 seperate Guests.  

I don't share my bathroom.

All my Guests rooms have the bedroom furniture and a mounted smart tv, wi-fi, a vey comfortable movable sitting chair the mini fridge, a mirror a food cabinet but not crowded we were selective in choices.  I have declared quiet hours.  New Guests I do review with them that means limited traffic not quiet traffic.

Though I am very friendly with my guests.  I work in the living room so they stop and chatt when  they come in.

Some use the kitchen majority of mine are just microwave's yuck lol.

I have not  had to set any rules about when me and my husband use.  The kitchen is big  enough for two to cook a simple meals comfortably.   Usually we make dinner same time every  night so   my guests on their own use  before or after.

Though I offer my living room tv doesn't bother me and I am not watching only 1 guest in 3 years has accepted.

I  really don't notice them that much