Tip of the week 9: Top 4 tips for new Hosts!

[Paula]

As we approach Week 9 of the 'Tip of the Week' series, I'm excited to share these Top 4 tips for new Airbnb Hosts! Starting the hosting journey brings its challenges and emotions 🌟

This week’s tip comes from our wonderful Superhost @Christine615 in New to Airbnb hosting:

1. Change your settings so only guests with prior good reviews can instant book you.
2. Make sure your house rules indicate that only guests on the reservation are allowed. 
3. Cameras on the exterior door are key. 
4. Enjoy! The guests that are chatty and tell you why they are coming to visit are often a joy! 

In this thread, we invite you to share your top tips for new Airbnb Hosts. So please go ahead and share your experience and wisdom with our wonderful Host Community.

We're excited to learn from all of you. Let's gather the best advice for new Airbnb hosts, and don't forget to give a thumbs-up👍 to the most helpful tips shared. 😊

👉 TOTW series

[Laurelle3]

@Paula yes I agree the advise or tipsthat have been given. With guests having a good review in the settings.

But I am open for the first timers  using Airbnb and receive Accept or Decline after they have given the reason as to why they are staying and the names of guests. 

I have no camera on our cottage because I feel we have an inbuilt observation when guests pick up the key and introduction, showing guests through cottage, explaining certain equipment, answering questions they ask, a shared yard between main residence and cottage. We also don't take bookings if we are not here.

We take the vibe/ feeling of our guests when we first meet and exchange the key. We only chat if we are outside and see them coming and going and ask a general question. Often there is more conversation when children are staying.

We try to respect our guests and their space but we have more of a chat when they are leaving trying to leave a lasting impression.

[Paula]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, @Laurelle3 😊. Do you have any suggestions on how to welcome the first guests? Perhaps some welcome snacks?

[Laurelle3]

@Paula we always meet and greet our guests with a  warm welcome even if they are late as  their estimate time is often out because of traffic delays.

After key exchange and instruction for going down side path we meet them and take them into cottage.

At night we have the lights and air-conditioning on to warm or cool as to weather conditions. 

We supply a hamper for guests to get them started with breakfast needs and some snacks. If guests arrive in the afternoon I make fresh scones jam and cream and if guests arrive in the evening a cheese platter is supplied. I have made a vegetarian slice twice when they had informed me and left almond milk.  I don't ask if they have dietary needs and ty to keep everything simple and easy for me. 

My rationale for providing a hamper is because when we started Airbnbing in 2014 breakfast was supplied and I thought it was a nice gesture. Also before we started Airbnbing I had researched what to do and what not to do helped.

[Terry-and-Jody0]

Without giving it much thought and going right off the cuff here, I recommend considering the following. 

 * Clearly stated house rules 

 * Requiring previous stays with high ratings for instant bookings. Everyone else must request

 * Those without any history on the Airbnb platform to be considered, I will reach out to them to see if some communication gets established and if we can get comfortable with the reservation. I will begin the conversation by saying, "You must be new to Airbnb, as you have no previous trips or reviews." - "Could you tell me a little about yourself and what brings you to our city?" If they are unwilling to communicate or are very short, sarcastic, or unwilling to be sensitive to the fact that I am considering opening my home up to strangers, then I decline the request. 

 * We gave several first-time Airbnb guests a break because they were willing to communicate. They were sensitive and understanding to the fact they are unknown to the community, and we always tell them that we look forward to the opportunity to provide their first 5-star review 

 * Avoid 3rd party reservations. The few problematic reservations we experienced were with first-time guests and people reserving under their name but having someone different show up. We give our guests lots of privacy but take measures to ensure some minimal level of relationship is established through good communication so we know who is coming in and what to expect. Often, this is solely accomplished through messaging on the Airbnb platform. Sometimes, I feel the need to be onsite during or briefly after the check-in process to ensure everything is legit and that my guests are aware of my presence to some degree. Most people are very respectful towards other's homes. Still, there are those few who will take too many liberties, being loud, partying, taking food and drink all over the house, staining carpets, sheets, bedspreads, bringing other people through all night hours, etc. I have had two groups check out two hours after checking in once they realized I was onto them and not tolerating a party scene. No refund was issued because they tied up our calendar with misleading or incomplete information about how they desired to use the home. 

 * Lastly, do 100% of communicating on the Airbnb platform. Never go off onto personal cell phones. There will be times when records of your interactions with the guests will need to be reviewed by the Airbnb Resolution Teams, and your professionalism in keeping good records will expedite matters being resolved. When someone wants to extend their stay, never accept an under-the-table cash offer, always require your guests to make a new reservation on the Airbnb platform, or send a Reservation Alteration Request. Keeping everything on the Airbnb platform will protect you in many ways. 

 Again, this was all off the cuff. No doubt I could come up with about 100 more things to consider and think about, but I hope you find all this helpful for now.

 All the Best with Your New Airbnb Endeavor, and Welcome to the Community! 

[Michele1845]

Thanks so much for this tip about getting some info as to why the guests are staying . 
I’ve felt a bit invasive asking this but hearing the way you ask helps me to keep  myself comfortable in my own home . Many thanks 

[Paula]

Hi @Michele1845, We're thrilled to see that @Terry-and-Jody0's tips helped you. This is an excellent strategy that will undoubtedly foster a trusting relationship with the guest.

Is there any other tip you'd consider important to share within our Community, @Michele1845 ? 🙂

[William2185]

The best advice I can give a new host is to express the communication part of being a host is the most important part right from the beginning when you get a booking request if you choose not to do automatic bookings.  I do not do automatic bookings simply because I do like communicating with the booking parties prior to get a feel of why they are coming to my area and to hopefully give them a sense of being WELCOMED when they book with me. 

At the beginning I will admit i was a bit nervous however when I started receiving messages the communication part just fell into place naturally.  Treat it as you are talking to a new friend and have a sense of "do unto others as you would want done to you" is a good statement to express with communicating with your booking parties.  I find the booking parties can be just as nervous wondering if the property is a fit for them.  Remember they are spending money so respect their money and I have found that when communicating prior to a booking inquiry is best by offering a Welcoming atmosphere in your communication and don't come off intrusive.  

I made a Welcome Manual in Power Point which simply describes house rules, giving them local restaurants or you recommended favorite places to eat in your area, local police and fire department numbers, your contact information if they need you directly, and then check out rules like suggesting stripping the beds to make it easier for my cleaner, recommended thermostat settings, trash collecting and putting used dishes in the dishwasher. 

[Paula]

Hello @William2185 Thank you so much for sharing these tips 😊 I'm sure they will help many new Hosts who might be nervous about their first guests. As for the manual, how and when do you send it to your guests?

Thanks again for sharing

[William2185]

i printed it out and its on the welcome desk when they get there, i thought about putting in the add but it identifies to much personal stuff about me and the property address

[Patricia4203]

Great idea!

[Bettye6]

I completely agree with the book. 
I have it more personal though & have updated it 5 times since I’ve started in Feb. to fit the questions asked. I use Pages (Word) so adjusting or adding is a quick change, save & print. 

My house rules on the platform ask guests to read the more elaborate House Rules in a Silver glitter binder that I leave right in front of the TV so they can’t say they couldn’t find it. 
I also have it tabbed, initial house rules, check out house rules, and then owners manuals for the Roku, Keurig, etc.  As my apartment is over 120 years old I even have pictures on how to open windows, etc. 

 

The feedbacks for my ‘book’ I received have been amazing

i also leave a guest book for them to sign. They review me through the AirBnB platform & what they personally write is priceless. I have made so many long standing friends through AirBnB. 

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Paula So I wouldn't agree that items 1-3 should be in the top 4. I really think people get overly worried about guests, the vast majority of whom are great.

item 1 stops all those great first time Airbnb guests that we have had

item 2 precludes visits by family which does no harm at all

item 3 is not needed if the host lives nearby

item 4 is very true though

[Paula]

Thanks for sharing this, @Mike-And-Jane0. Would you like to share your top 3 tips for new Hosts? I would love to learn from your perspective 🙂

[Andrew3183]

Not sure about 1-3 but 4 is spot on, I’ve had some lovely guests from all over the world and it’s good to talk, keeps me smiling anyway