Critique my listing - Jamie in Ashtabula, OH

[Jamie1359]

Hi All,

I'm new the short term rental hosting community. We have a beautiful, large property located directly on Lake Erie in the charming community of Ashtabula, Ohio. I think our challenges are really around marketing and standing out in an area where short term rentals are taking off. I've just put the listing up, and would love feedback on any/all of it!

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1347455590214023194?check_in=2025-05-23&check_out=2025-05-26&guests=8&a...

Thanks, Jamie

[Andrea6232]

Buongiorno @Jamie1359 ,

I took a quick look at your listing and it seems to me that you could improve your photos, here are some tips on how to best photograph your home:

https://community.withairbnb.com/t5/Community-Guides/GUIDE-How-to-best-photograph-your-home-with-you...

hope it helps

Andrea

[Marcin65]

Hi @Jamie1359 .

Just a quick note:
* I haven't delved into the price and comparison aspects with the competition, but in my opinion the same price for 1 person and for 16 doesn't make much sense.
* The photos MUST be arranged, room by room. It's best to use a photo tour and let the AI ​​do it. Add a set of amenities for that room to each photo. Simple sketches of the layout of the rooms would be very helpful. This will allow guests to see what they are renting. Photos of the outside, the surroundings, the appearance of the house, the garden are necessary. You can leave photos of nature, interesting weather phenomena for the end.
* In the description, add the distance to the beach, to the store, to the airport, etc.
* Think about whether you want to rent the entire property at once or divide the rental into three parts (I don't know if it's possible)
* Think about the issue of accepting guests with pets. I am convinced that this leads to disputes over how the equipment was damaged. This will not lead to a high rating.

Best

[Shawnese0]

Jamie, the property is beautiful.  I actually agree with the photos.  I like to see the entire area when looking at photos.  That way it doesn't look like your hiding something.  I do some close ups and some further away, but always making sure they are centered if taking them myself.  A photographer would be ideal if you could afford one.  But yours look pretty clear just the centering on some would need to be corrected. As far as pricing,  I look at other units in my area and try to stay around the same based on the same accommodations.  If your fairly new offering a discount also would possibly attract more guests.  Also I usually reach out to guests at least once during their stay to ensure things are going well and they don't have any issues.  Good Luck . Looks like your off to a great start 👍 

[Marie8425]

@Jamie1359 

Beautiful house, amazing.

Use the Airbnb Room Folders and organize your photos for a potential guest.

It is February sell me on things to do in February.  Maybe fishing hiking what can we so.

If there are bonuses like a second kitchen definably photo.

You have a somewhat Unique large property.  The Airbnb website has high volume traffic so Internet search engines reads it frequently for your property I suggest cover that market too.  

Internet Search engines will show you if your listing matches "Keywords" the person is searching for on the web.  Identify what "Keywords" you match use your ad space, Airbnb Guidebooks and photo captions  Remember sprinkle keywords.

[Shannon1083]

Congrats on your first listing!

I will not pretend to be an expert, but I have a few suggestions.

*Make your listing pop with an interesting photo. Yours looks nice already but maybe choose something unique. We have a colorful painting of nearby scenery on ours and I think it has helped catch people's eye amidst the sea of other pictures

*As others have stated, organize your photos using the provided service on the platform. I also agree with comments about more detailed photos alongside zoomed out photos. Someone mentioned a simple sketch of the layout of the airbnb. That's such a good idea! I might do it for mine!

*Offer a STEEP discount for your first visitors. We did a 50% discount for our first 3 bookings. This will feel counter-productive but will pay off greatly after a few postive reviews. If this makes you nervous about the type of guests you will attract, simply restrict your listing to guests that have had previous positive reviews from other hosts.

*Don't be afraid to reach out to local markets. I spread the word around my workplace and my chiropractor even offered to advertise our booking. Word of mouth helps a lot these days as people trust it more than online reviews. See if any friends or family would like to book your place to get it going! 

Good luck! And try to read everyone's comments. I've found a few things I've never thought of before! 

Cheers from AZ

Shannon and Dennis 

[Sky389]

Hi Jamie!
Thanks for allowing us the opportunity to review your space.  It is lovely! Here are some things to improve your listing:

-Arrange your pictures to provide potential guests the visual layout of your space.  

-The windows and views are beautiful! Use one of these pictures as your lead picture.  

-You have a lot of beautiful pictures. Consider printing them out and putting them on frames. Use them as artwork around your house.

-The first picture here, which is also in your listing doesn't speak well to your space.  It is very empty.  The double chairs should be rearranged.  Add a coffee table. Pillows on the brown chairs. Large art/photos on the wall.

-The room in the kitchen that has the high table, consider painting it a pop of color. Use a color that is in the photo/art, or the blue of the dining chairs.

-You mention that you have games - show them.

-Set up the tables with table settings.

-Show pictures of the plates, pots, coffee, etc.

-The TV in the living room seems off centered from the couch.

-Do you have two living room areas? It is a bit confusing since you don't have titles on all your pictures.  If you do, consider adding amenities to one of these rooms. Perhaps a game room with a pool table, poker table, etc.

-You mention the outdoor amenities but where are the pics?

-Show pics of the washer/dryer.

Good luck with your listing!

[Sherri291]

Hi there!

Kitchen is great! Living room needs to look and feel more like home. Pictures, area rug, pillows, throw blanket, artificial plants, lamps, books. An Airbnb is a home away from home.

-Sherri

[Stacia36]

Hi Jamie, congratulations on your first listing. 

I agree with everyone else on the photos.  It is very important to have a professional take them who can get the appropriate shots & get the lighting correct.

Also,  it needs some warm touches.  It seems very cold.  Area rugs,  artwork will do wonders for making the space more welcoming. 

Check out the best competition & see how they look,  what they offer, what are the reviews saying etc.  It's so helpful to see that & helps you dial in on what guests going to that area like & are looking for. 

Best of luck!!

[Tingting20]

i do like your listing's description and general setup, but did you check against neighborhood pricing?
you might want to take a look at:
airroi.com/atlas/map?country-code=US&state=Ohio&city=Ashtabula

best of luck