Any pointers on our listing?

[Goldmine-Properties0]

Hi! We have been airbnb guests for a long time, but we are newer to hosting. Any feedback or suggestions, specially on our listing would be greatly appreciated. Also, if you have a great local Big Bear cleaner you recommend for independent/self owned airbnb properties that would be great.  Seems like most of the cleaners are only available if you use an airbnb management company.  Appreciate the feedback and reccos. 

🏡 View on AirbnbCabin in Big Bear Lake · ★4.89 · 3 bedrooms · 4 beds · 2 bathrooms

[Frio-Fun0]

20 year vacation manager & vacation management co. owner. This home is very charming!  Re-work the living room to add more comfy soft seating. Maybe a small sofa with 2 matching chairs on each side of the fireplace. Make sure everyone can eat at the dining room table(s). A mini split with heat upstairs can fix any coldness issues. 

Cleaning is the achilles foot of vacation homes. Don't forget to spray a great smelling air freshener before guests arrive, leave a light (night & day) for instant warmth near the front door and/or an intimate spot such as the master bed.

Diffusers, soft music playing at check in. Hard copy books on the local area. Guest gift. 24/7 guest calls answered. Fresh plants inside & on the deck (whether permitting). Character accents that reflect pride of place such as a saddle for a Texas home or antique fishing poles on the wall for a Montana riverside cabin.

Outdoor lighting on all walkways, party lights in the trees, beautiful sconce lighting by the front door. Symmetry of furniture is calming. Big fluffy down comforters with duvets on all beds. Cool bathroom shelving for guest to store their toiletries. Small inexpensive water features near the outdoor seating area. Bird feeders. Upscale outdoor garden art to elevate the yard.

I could go on, but these are a few of my go to fundamental core concepts to elevate a guest experience regardless of your budget and creating a passionate desire for guest to return.

[Goldmine-Properties0]

Thank you so much for your detailed response!

[Dorothy319]

Your place is well decorated and beautiful.  I would suggest a more alluring name though as Goldmine Properties sounds very commercial and uninviting.  The only other thing that I would suggest is reworking the kids room to make it look more inviting.  The pictures of that room are pretty dark and dull - maybe a professional photographer would help...

[Dawn939]

Hi, your Big Bear cabin is beautiful and is in an awesome location for year round fun! I think you are going to do great with this property 🙂

A couple thoughts on your listing:

1) I agree with another host about changing your host name to something more personal and more of a reflection of who you are. At first, I thought you were a management/STR investment company, which is a turn off for many guests.

2) I agree it would be nice to add more seating to the area in front of the fireplace and at the kitchen table. For the area in front of the fireplace, I realize you are short on space, but think about moving the chairs back a bit and putting 2 comfortable poufs across from each other to the side of each chair or somewhere in the area. Perhaps an ottoman in front of the chairs to serve as a coffee table or additional chair, if it fits.

3) I would consider having better photos taken of your lovely cabin (interior and exterior) and adding a "twilight" photo, which are very attractive and compelling, esp. for a rustic, cabin property. Photos are a high value marketing tool, so I think it's worth it to spend more for fabulous photos. Also, I agree about lightening up the kids room with more lighting and cheerful, light/bright bedding.

4) I suggest a couple tweaks to your description: rather than shout out that it is a perfect cabin for a family, I would let potential guests know it is perfect for families, as well as friends and girls/guys getaways, etc. so other groups also feel welcome. Unless you have reasons to primarily attract families. Also, I would use a word other than "dying" to ski, because it is kind of off-putting. Perhaps say something like "can't wait to hit the slopes?" or something else innocuous.

[Cheryl771]

You might consider getting working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide and replace the pictures with new ones with working units in place. One picture in particular it's obvious the smoke detector is missing.

There are some visible streaks on the dishwasher but they might be permanent- maybe photo shop touch up?

Other than that it looks great

[Cynthia1292]

Hi! You have a beautiful Cabin/home in Big Bear! I read through the other comments and think "everyone" really gave some great advice! 🙂 One thing I strongly recommend, is to take professional photos....it makes a huge difference! Also, turn the "hot tub on" for photos and put some fake plants and solar or hanging lights around it. (take photos at dusk)

I would also suggest moving the couch that opens into a sofa sleeper in the living room away from being in front of the door and make sure all blankets, pillows, etc. are straightened. Upstairs in the kids room, perhaps a TV and some poofs or big pillows in front of TV for kids or adults to sit on and watch TV along with some modern pictures of either mountains, animals, words of encouragement, etc. (Hobby Lobby has a bunch and they always have sales-50% off!)

Best of luck to you! 🙂

[Elisabeth1209]

It looks really nice. My only point would be: curtains before the bedroom windows. 

[Donna1157]

I strongly recommend you make a checklist from the comments so far. Pick the ones you can deal with immediately plus those that are truly essential- e.g. Smoke Detectors!

Then set up a "to-do fund" as bookings begin to increase. As you are able to fix, replace, and improve at minimum include a snap shot immediately. Then once you've got it all put together take the professional photos using the notes given so far and put them to all good use. Do NOT be afraid to give the photographer direction and be sure s/he takes it & will work with you. Updating photos will always be an ongoing thing- start saving now. 

My notes on photos- see my listing for examples:  airbnb.com/h/sea-ranch-abalone-bay
-avoid cutesy vignettes (e.g. the corner shot of an end table). If it is a vignette- be sure that there's a means of seeing how that focused point fits in the full scheme of the experience 
-iron your sheets/bedspreads...at least get the look of fresh out of the package folds out
- put captions in your photos explaining what you want the guest to see in it. Some are not obvious
-highlight the views where ever you can. People come to BB to get out of the city and breathe. Show what they'll see from various perspectives, including from chair-seat level.
-bedroom 2's window  where are the shades for privacy in a bedroom? ( I suggest getting push up/down shades then raising them half way to indicate privacy available and note there's a house with windows right next door- be honest yet discreet)
-get wider shots - views of rooms. There's many that highlight the walls getting the essential view lost as a result
-plenty straight on views of things (house, deck, hot tub). Need more views from the guest perspective...what will THEY see, sense, hear, smell, touch ...experience?
-Children's playroom/bedroom. adjust the photo exposure/lighting its soooo dark. What is the switch in the long hallway? Is there a smoke detector/CO2 monitor for that space-make sure there is and highlight it.  How will the kids play in it and what will they play with (get toys/games and a storage system for them-
-do you provide booze for your guests? If not take a photo of the bar table without it.

Are you an LLC? Is that why you don't show photos of yourself/ves?  Your one-liner is really rather vague. It appears (based on the URL from UK) you are British - tell us about that. Why do you have a Big Bear house? At least include an About Us bio of the business. Humanize it. Why are you doing this---besides for the joy of passive income🙃
See mine: www.airbnb.com/p/searanchabalonebay

The listing itself-when I started I actually got a copywriter (mostly for our direct booking website). But it was helpful for me to see what I needed for my marketing copy. You are marketing -selling your space. The terms you use to do so should -MUST- invoke the 5 senses- things that will linger to form memories! Go beyond just terms that tell them what they will see. Include what they will feel when they touch- bed, railings, snow, fir trees, that liquor table or coffee cup by the fire. What are the smells that linger to form memories? The sounds of the wind through the trees, the mountain lion that is sure to prowl... gotta love nature...And so forth.

Careful you don't get busted for including your insta link-- take some of the photos and include them in your listing. Don't make people go off your booking sight. They'll never come back

Go into more depth - what exactly makes  it a "perfectly located vacation cabin." What makes your perfect cabin more perfect than the one that pops up right next to it?