Mid-term in Cincinnati is not getting much interests. What am i not doing right? Tips appreciated

[Ashley1906]

I followed a lot of recommendations previously given to elevate my listing including adding all the amenities and getting professional pictures. I did add in the other notes section about security deposit, ID, background check etc to be upfront in my requirement- this seemed to have run away the interest I did have. Im interested in any tips to help gain more interests and ultimately bookings. Link below for your review.  Please advise. TIA

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1113865927851510184?adults=1&children=0&enable_m3_private_room=true&inf...

[Karen4131]

Hi @Ashley1906 

Before looking deeper into any opportunities for your listing I would like to make sure, that it’s your intention to limit the minimum stay to 30 nights? Best regards, Karen

 

[Ashley1906]

Hi Karen4131, yes the minimum is 30nights.

[Paula]

Hi @Ashley1906, I am tagging @Karen4131 here so they receive a notification of your message. This way, we increase the chances of them getting back to us.

Quick tip: To tag someone, tap "@" and select the host's username from the dropdown menu 😊

[Ashley1906]

thank you 🙂

[Heather1828]

@Ashley1906 here in Oregon anything over 28 days is subject to tenancy laws and supersedes all Airbnb rules for the renter. We do a minimum of 2 nights and a maximum of 28 days and we are very busy. We are also out of a town area. 

[Debra300]

@Heather1828,

Are short-term rental agreements enforced in Oregon?

[Marie8425]

@Ashley1906 

Maybe the wordings and requirements of a long term rental.  I do primarily temporary employment housing.  My typical Guests are with me minimum 30 days sometimes as long as 6 months.  They use Airbnb rentals rather than a private or property company managed rental because they wish to avoid a long term agreement.  .  A long term rental agreement has protections but also obligations to the tenant.

Sometimes a tenant will book a month with the intention to book the next month and halfway through the paid month the company needs him to go to another state.  They aren't worried about refunds but they are not worried about giving me 30 days notice or dealing with me concerning a security deposit.

[Debra300]

@Ashley1906,

The pictures look very nice.   When we first listed our space, we accepted short-term stays to get reviews and move the listing up in the search results.  Then we switched to mid-term rental after the fifth stay/review and keep the rate at the lower end of the market range because we do require insurance and an extra services deposit.

My primary design suggestion for your place is to remove the decorative items from the entertainment stand and lower the TV to a height that is comfortably visible by a person sitting on the furniture looking at the screen without having to tilt their head up.  The wall art can be lowered an average height person can look straight at it while standing a few feet away from it.  

I also recommend removing the decorative items from the coffee table, side tables, dining table and console table (you can leave the little bathroom tray there to hold keys) window sills and bathroom vanities.  Guests don't want to and won't dust those items during their stay, and are not careful with these types of things.  Take out the electric waterfalls take up space.  They use additional electricity and may get damaged or cause water damage due to improper handling and operation. 

You already have the hair dryer installed, but I think it's unnecessary for your target guest (and something else to get broken/require replacement) because most mid-term guests carry their own personal hygiene and grooming gear, such as shavers, hair trimmers, flat/curling irons, hair dryers, electric toothbrushes and flossing machines.

We just signed up to offer Waivo vacation rental damage protection plans: https://waivo.io/hosts-owners/.  These policies are very similar to what Vrbo offers to guests.  We will give guests the choice between obtaining renter's insurance or we obtain the damage protection plan and they have to pay an additional extra services fee for it. The following is what is written for one of our rentals regarding the rental agreement, renter's insurance and extra services deposit.

"Guests are required to provide IDs, sign a short-term rental agreement that specifies the Airbnb terms of what's included in the rental and that guests will not gain tenant's rights,

Guest must obtain Renter's Insurance or pay for a short-term/vacation rental damage protection policy, and a refundable extra services deposit of $200 via Airbnb's Resolution Center."

[Heather1835]

Hi @Ashley1906!

I just took a look at your listing. The pictures are beautiful, and you did a great job with staging your property. I'm assuming you are only doing 28+ days because of your location/county requirements? I'd like to hear more from you about why you've gone this route versus doing 2-3 min stays.

Also, I think you are losing interest in those looking at your property due to the requirements you have listed.  Just from reading this list, you are making people go through too many hoops to book your place. Since people are "vetted" through Airbnb, we don't necessarily need to ask for proof of ID. It's really not needed. 

Just to make it easier for you, I'd not allow pets. Less for you to worry about, and less rules to post. For example, no one is going to want to provide a list of their pets vaccinations. To me that's a big ask.  I don't allow pets, and this has not detoured people from booking my place.  I actually think people prefer it, knowing that pets are not allowed since so many have allergies. 

28 day stay
*Guest Requirements* -  Not sure what the second number means? (ex. 1.5, 2.0) I would suggest just using an asterisk * versus numbers. Just visually easier to follow. 
1. 5. Copy of valid ID before possible approval
2. 0. Person booking must be the person staying
3. 2. Must provide name/ age/ valid ID of guest staying overnight at anytime.
4. 5 No unauthorized guests or pets/animals
5. 1 Upon approval, agree that guests will not gain tenant's rights at anytime during length of stay.
6. 4. Agree to follow the House Rules.
7. 9 Extensions negotiable. Lease signing required if >29 days desired.
8. Limit one pet.
4. Pets require proof of updated vaccinations, must be 6. people/animal friendly, and are not allowed on furniture to keep the unit clean for future guests and your return.

Lastly, have your researched your competition in your area? What do their listings say? What do they allow? Possibly price your place just below other properties in your area similar to yours. This will help you to at least get some foot traffic in, and some reviews.  Once you get a few 5.0 reviews, more will book, then you can begin to raising your prices a bit as the seasons change. 

Hope this helps a bit. I'm sure you will get lot's of suggestions from other hosts as well. 

All the best, 

Heather

[Ashley1906]

Hi Heather! Thanks so much for the invaluable tips. I appreciate your thoughts.

I had it as a 28 day to decrease frequency of turnover and because I havent registered with the city to make it as a short term rental... what do you recommend? I guess I can make it a 1-2 week minimum stay?

I was asking for ID just incase someone wanted to get an Airbnb for a relative or friend instead of for themselves, given I've seen it done before; its largely a safety concern to be honest, especially since my family and I live in a nearby unit. 

I agree with you. I can take off pets for the Airbnb but ok it through the other platform I use. I just allowed pets to cast a wider net. If I disallowed pets I would put as a disclaimer that a dog does live in the neighboring unit- as a courtesy for those who have allergies.

I have researched my competition and a lot of them have prices in the same range and I have made myself either at the same or slightly lower.

[Paula]

Hi @Ashley1906, I am tagging @Heather1835  here so she receives a notification of your message. This way, we increase the chances of her getting back to us.

Quick tip: To tag someone, tap "@" and select the host's username from the dropdown menu 😊

[Ashley1906]

thank you 🙂

[Heather1835]

Oh my goodness! I did not see your message! I’m so sorry. I’m still learning how to use this part of the app. Thank you for tagging me!

yes, I think a one week stay would be a great place to start.  Go from there. It definitely helps that you are staying close by which will allow you to keep an eye on everything. I’d highly recommend ring camera or something similar. This was a game changer for me to see who is coming into my home and how many people versus what was listed on the reservation. Many times people list 2 guests, but I see 5 walk in. So now, before check-in I ask them to confirm how many guests they have. Because more guests equals more $$$!