Hi Eileen -
We host our home in Oaxaca, Mexico. We don't use instant book. Never have and never will.
I want to know who will be staying at our home. I want to read their reviews, and get to know them before agreeing for them to rent our home. There is too much at stake.
When we get a request, I have a pre-written template that tells them a bit more about the house, and in-turn we ask them detailed questions about their stay in Oaxaca. One of the questions is, "have you read all of our house rules, and will you abide by them".
By reading their responses to the questions, we can get a good feeling about a potential guest. If they don't provide clear answers, or decline to respond, we decline their request to book.
You have to remember, you are handing someone the keys to YOUR house. It is not worth having someone who is disrespectful, messy, and not willing to follow your rules stay at your home.
I suggest turning instant book off. Taking the risk is not worth it in the long run.
John