How should a real estate agency profile look like on Airbnb?

[David11782]

Should a real estate agency profile inform the potential guests that they'll be renting from a professional/company and not an individual?

Thanks for your input!

[Guy991]

@David11782 ,

A company suggests a more formal, professional service, operating in a structured and efficient manner. The property becomes more like a serviced apartment. On the other hand, an individual host implies a more personal and informal experience, sharing their home with others.

When it comes to the profile picture, some companies choose logos that don't say much about them. For example, they might use logos with just their initials, which may not show much creativity. This can make the property seem less unique or interesting.

So, it's important to think carefully about the profile picture. It should be friendly and welcoming, showing that it's a company, not just one person, while still being honest and approachable. The profile picture is one of the first things people see, so making it look good can really make a difference.

[Saleem15]

Yes, informing potential guests that they are renting from a professional company rather than an individual is essential for several reasons:

1. Trust and Professionalism: Renting from a company ensures a higher level of trust and professionalism. Potential guests feel more secure knowing they are dealing with a recognized entity rather than an individual, which often translates into more organized processes and better service.

2. Standardized Practices: Professional companies have standardized procedures for things like tenant screening, rental agreements, and maintenance requests. This consistency gives guests confidence in the quality of the property and the rental experience.

3. Legal Protections: A professional agency ensures that all legal requirements are met, providing clear, binding contracts that protect both parties. This is often more reassuring for tenants than renting from an individual.

4. Better Customer Support: A company can offer more reliable customer support, addressing any issues promptly and professionally. This includes things like maintenance services, resolving disputes, and general property management.

5. Larger Property Selection: Guests can also benefit from having more property options, as agencies often manage a wider range of properties in different locations and price ranges.

For example, companies like Makaan Solutions make the renting process smoother by providing professionalism, legal security, and a variety of options to choose from, ensuring tenants have a positive experience.

In conclusion, highlighting that the rental is through a professional agency enhances trust and provides guests with peace of mind.

[Helen3]

It's against the terms of this community to try and use it to promote commercial services such as the company you are promoting in your post .  @Saleem15 

[Helen3]

Yes there is an option on Airbnb to register as a business rather than an individual.

This is useful as it helps me avoid booking with large Airbnb management companies who have awful reputations.

@Guy991 I don't agree that larger Airbnb management companies offer a more professional, structured and efficient service 

this community and others are littered with complaints about these companies 

In my city two of the big management companies have terrible ratings for the listings they manage.

[Guy991]

Hello @Helen3 ,

I didn’t mean to suggest that larger companies are inherently better. I used the verb 'suggest' because, in my opinion, this reflects how some guests might view the difference—seeing a company profile as more formal and impersonal, versus a smiling host’s photo that implies a more personal experience.

Companies with a large portfolio of properties can offer services that I simply can’t. For example, I know of a terrific company with 700 properties that employs two full-time maintenance staff, able to fix issues on the spot—something I don’t have the capacity to do. The list goes on, but my goal isn’t to argue specifics.

Just as there are poorly run companies, there are also excellent ones. The same is true for individual property owners, who can provide wonderful, personalized experiences.

[Helen3]

You are correct as individual cohosts we don't have the capacity that larger companies have. @Guy991 

I am just taking over cohosting a listing which was previously let by a large management company .

the Company had done no maintenance in the garden for six months, there were lots of missing and broken items and the listing was getting regular three and four stars for  cleanliness and communication .

yes there are good larger companies out there but also some truly awful ones as I am sure there are individual cohosts.