What would you improve in your own listing?

[Angel10141]

I've been reviewing a few listings recently, and it made me think, if you looked at your own property as a guest, what's one thing you would improve? Sometimes small changes in presentation or experience can make a big difference. Curious to hear your thoughts!

[Nandini11]

Hi @Angel10141 ,

That’s such a great way to look at it!

Honestly, I always try to “be my own guest” and see things from their perspective.

One thing I keep improving is the overall feel of the space—making it more warm, homely, and comfortable rather than just functional.

I keep adding amenities, decorative items, warmth….to make it feel more homely. 

Even little details that we might overlook as hosts can stand out to guests, so I’m constantly trying to refine those. It’s an ongoing process i feel . 

Would love to know what changes stood out to you while reviewing other listings!

[Rebecca]

Love this topic @Angel10141 - thanks for starting it! Have you done the same for your listing, if so, what did you change? 

I love that idea @Nandini11 and host @Jamie600 shared a great guide about this too: New to Airbnb? Be your own first guest. Have you seen it? There's some great comments there too! 😊

[Bhumika]

Just as Rebecca said @Nandini11 , I love the idea of putting your guest hats on when it comes to improving your listing!

Based on guest feedback and requests, have you added any specific amenities that has been a win since you added them to your listing? 

[Marie8425]

@Angel10141 

That is so true.  I read what my Guests highlight in Reviews and also what they say or do.  I added a chair to mt bedrooms because 1 Guest mentioned it would be nice not to always sit on the bed.  Another Guest was the insporation of tv trays in my rooms.  U upgraded my patio furniture, it wasn't bad but I had a Guest who grilled a lot and the appearance was just a little generic to me. Haha

It was a Guest in one of my Reviews who highlighted I have dressers that really brought that to m y attention.

[Angel10141]

This is so true @Marie8425 , we can really improve ourselves by how they really feel and how their feedback is. 

[Bhumika]

Such an interesting case study alongwith results @Marie8425 ! Are there any other ideas based on guest feedback, that you look forward to implement in upcoming months?

[Marie8425]

@Bhumika 

It comes to identifyi ng mt target market.  Hawaii, vacation  mentality  different  moving to small town inAruzona.  y market now is temporary employees so naturally lomger stays.  How you use the space is different, renting pivate rooms for toursists who are busy enjoying the vacation barely i n the space want local food experiences tropical island all day come to the listing to fust shower , sleep and our again tomorrow. So like fridge space , pantry space even bathroom sharing I have reented to 4 different couples in  a house I didn't live in and they shared.  They were more interested in minor comforts in the room.  With work stays I have single people coming home at 5pm they are tired been working all day.  Just like anyone, they want to come back relax so the chair the tv tray your having dinner and maybe every night for 4 weeks you don;t want to spend time with me every  night haha,  A renter suggested the bed pillow with the arms allows comfort if evening time reading or your electronic games.  End of your day relaxing mini fridge with freezer part for ice cube trays, allows your i n a stangers house with other strangers no worrying someone drank your coke lol it is in your fridge.  Pantry cabinets same thing I the Guest buys a bag of chips, they aren't being nasty just calmer if in your room and that idea came because I asked they were using a dresser drawer.  Yuck haha.  Hooks on the wall in the rooms again longer stay so their bathroom towel a hat a sweater.

Great ideas for them are also for me.  I don't have to share fridge and pantry.  I also don't have to feel like security of chips. A chair the bed pillow with arms the smart tv and wifi, sort of a relaxing living room so I really don't have to always have people in  my living room, by providing a tv tray and letti ng the Guest choose I have random use of my diniing room which can be good. lol

[Bhumika]

Ah!! Makes sense @Marie8425 , where guests are looking for more comfort in the room rather than the whole listing. Thanks so much for sharing these ideas and your experience 🌻

[Marie8425]

@Bhumika 

Actually the same rules have applied for my whole house rentals.  The mmarkets desires, thin k even of yourself if your enjoyina a week at the beach wiyh kids or a group of enployees rent a hlouse together.  Dinner mindset is different for each partu evenungs yogether is paryt of your vacation enjoyment, if you have spent today working wirh your group, tou want the ability to just unwind for the day without work partcipants.  Nobody is renring a STR rental without a reason.   How can  you align with that reason?

[Bhumika]

@Marie8425 , I love the idea of asking a question to yourself before hosting "how can you align with guests and think why they are renting in my area or what they need?" 

This also makes me curious, how did you get into hosting? Was it recommended by a family member, you saw an Airbnb ad related to hosting or were you already familiar with bed and breakfast or hospitality industry? I am super eager to learn more about your hosting story 😍

[Marie8425]

@Bhumika 

I got i nto Hosting accidently.  I got a sudden medical condition so I had to slow down my career and Hawaii so everyone knows everyone .  People who owned rentals didn;t need me full time, I think the first Airbnb  listing was 2013 Haha.  In Arizona I am the Host.  I didn't buy the property for Airbnb Rentals. Even my husband was like who stays in Buckeye AZ our highlight is a Costco last year.  In 2022 I offered 1 room, now I have 4 usually full. I found the market first  and built based on aligning.  I located social media pages for employees lookung for mid length stays usually 1 person.

My previous career history is a private business consulted with very large corporations with some corps over 10 years.  Gives me a perspective that has been very successful.

[Bhumika]

Sorry for the late reply @Marie8425 🌻 and what a journey! 

I like how you got into hosting by accident and have progressed to offering 4 rooms now. Do you think your previous profession as business consultant has also inspired some of your hosting and listing management style? 😉

Regards,

[Marie8425]

@Bhumika 

The first thing is I enjoy, people, stories, andpictures.  I keep my nonstress and uncomfortable at the minimum.  I do my screening, and I am not perfect lol, but remembering in my house or in a seperate residecy,I try and screen who is a good fit with my style.  

The second thing, is something I was just discussing on one of my business forums.  Perspective never make a decision on perspective pull facts from your perspective and the other parties perpective,  Perspective is your best guess negative or positive.  Right or wrong.   The other parties best guess.  Right or wrong.  Focus on facts that create the perspective. Make your decision using those facts.  

[Bhumika]

Indeed a unique perspective @Marie8425 , especially about focusing on facts. How do you usually vet guests? Do you ask them a few questions to know them better, before approving a booking?