Getting my listing booked. Please review my listing

[Raul624]

Hello Everyone,

I'm a relatively new host.  I went live in mid-August and immediately booked a guest for the high season at the premium price.  I got 92 views in August but only that one booking.  In September I got 37 views and no bookings.  In Oct. I got a meager 16 view with no bookings.  Admittedly, its only been this last week and a half of October that I have tended to the listing properly by filling in all the information, adding smart pricing, offering incentives and promotions. 

I am only allowed to rent long term by my HOA, 30 days or more.  Yesterday, I put up a promotion that slashed November prices 50% of my standard fee and Dec 20% off the standard fee for a month-long booking.

I have good reviews from when I hosted a long time ago. 4.82 rating.  

Please review my listing details and give your constructive criticism on how I can possibly get my bookings up 

Thanks!

[John7474 · Accepted solution]

@Raul624 

Hello Raul -

I just took a look at your listing.  What a wonderful place you have!

In my opinion, you have a solid listing.  Your listing price and photos look good. 

Since you have just offered a discount, I would be patient, and give it a little time.  As you know bookings in the Palm Springs area tend to increase in the Fall and Winter months.   For potential bookings after the first of the year, I would check the listing prices for other condos in your area to make sure you are in line with the current market rate. 

One suggestion: 

Maybe consider reorganizing your Listing Description and the My Space sections of your listing. 

In the Description - just given an overview of your  2 bedroom and 2 bath condo and the complex with all the amenities of a resort.  Use details of it being clean, quiet, well maintained and spacious. 

In the My Space section - Use this section to really detail each bedroom, living space, amenities and proximity to hiking trails, and all that Palm Springs has to offer. 

Wishing you continued success in the coming months. 

Best, 

John 

[Raul624]

@John7474 ,

Thank you so much for your feedback.  I'm going to review and apply your critique as well as that of the other host.  Perhaps, I can get more feedback when I'm done?

Thanks again!

Raul

[John7474]

@Raul624 

Hey Raul -

Sure it would be my pleasure to help out.  I sent you a private message, let me know if you get it. 

Best, 

John 

[Kia272]

@Raul624  I'm very confused. Are you renting the whole condo or just a room? You said you're a new host, and the listing for the room is new, but your old listing is still live, and that's the one you've made the changes to. You should take that one down unless you intend to move out while guests stay. Also, the whole condo listing is cheaper than the room listing? Have you lost track of the old and new listings? 

Other than that, in the listing for the room, it looks okay. I noticed a pet in your pictures, but you haven't said anything about a pet being on the property. I didn't see any rules about using the common space- hours of access, etc. Do you want guests cooking food at 2:00 in the morning? They may be under Other Things To Know, but it's always best to emphasize anything that you want guests to know in your written description. Quiet hours and consideration when using common spaces are important for home shares, and should be clearly defined. 

As to your bookings being slow....you said clearly that you didn't really finish your listing until very recently, so that probably put people off, perhaps because it was unclear and unfinished. So I don't understand why you would drastically lower your prices due to lack of bookings, when you basically hadn't completed your listing. The views vs. bookings makes perfect sense: people saw the listing, clicked on it, and then were unsure as to its undefined status, and moved on. It's silly to lower your price because you know you weren't in a position to optimize the views that you did get. Low prices attract low quality guests. Just sayin'....

[Raul624]

@Kia272 , 

Thank you SO much for your feedback.  The fact that you're very confused says it all.  I think I need to approach this as a guest and do a search for my listing and see how it comes across. 

I am renting the entire place for 30 days or more.  Also, I am trying to maximize my occupancy by offering the room for smaller time frames  if by the 2nd week of the month it doesn't book (for the whole month).  

I'm going to go back and try and clarify and if you don't mind, I'll run it by you again to see if it makes more sense.

Very much appreciated,

Raul