need critique on my new listing

[Michelle3819]

Hi Everyone, 

I am not new to Airbnb as a traveler, but I am as a host. My listing went live recently and I have 3 bookings for the Spring and Summer. The only other place I have it listed is on VRBO (nothing happening there). I do not show many pictures of the yard or outdoor space because we have not finished the landscaping, as Winter is right around the corner and it is not available to rent until Marc 2024. Before Summer comes, there will be a patio with furniture, grill, fire pit, etc. This is also why the price is lower than any others in my area right now. Please, take a look and let me know if you would do something different. I appreciate any input!

Cheers,

Michelle

[Paula]

Hello @Michelle3819, welcome to our community 😊

I've had a chance to look at your listing, and I must say the sunsets look amazing; they certainly add an inviting touch to your place.

Our community is filled with experienced Hosts who could offer you additional insights about your listing. I’m tagging a few of them here to see if they’d like to share their opinions: @Laura5961 @Bettye6 @John7474 @Leigh625 @Melanie318 @Kitty-and-Creek0 

All the best,

[Michelle3819]

Wow, thank you! So nice to have a community of hosts to bounce ideas off of!

[Leigh625]

Hi @Michelle3819 ,

Your place is looking great—good choice on the neutral colors too! 

It sounds like you all have it well-planned for next spring. Having a fire pit is high priority for many guests.

—Leigh

[Michelle3819]

Thank you!

[John7474]

@Michelle3819 @Paula 

Hello Michelle!

What a great cottage you have!  

Photos: 

I think your photos of the inside of your place look good.    Yes, I think when you have the new landscaping, I suggest adding additional photos.  I would also include a photo of the golf cart.   I like your opening photo, it catches your attention, but it's a bit blurry, maybe try to take a new one in the spring. 

Suggestions for Listing:

You want the potential guest to read your profile and say.. "wow, this is the perfect place for us to spend a week over the 4th of July or for Sarah's 8th birthday!"

Sell us a bit more on your wonderful cottage!.  (It's a perfect place for a small family to make summer memories) (If you like walks on the beach and fun in summer sun, this is a place for you!). Use the angle of cottage for family fun by Lake Ontario. 

Detail each room: 

The Kitchen

All new appliances. Large refrigerator. An easy place to make family vacation dinners.

Bedrooms

Tell us about what each offer. Do they both have AC?

Bathroom

Tell us about it.

Living  Room

Tell us a bit about it.  Are there board games? DVDs? 

I also suggest adding a little bit about the near by town and activities.  Tell us about the community and it's charm.    Maybe add to your listing some of your favorite nearby restaurants, or places you like to visit in town.  (who sells good pizza, who has the best ice cream, is there a wonderful family run restaurant) 

Wishing you the best of luck in the upcoming season! 

Best, 

John 

[Michelle3819]

@John7474 ,

I appreciate your critique. But I am confused by your suggestions for more information. I do have descriptions and suggestions for my guests. I even talk about the meaning of the name and the history of the cottage. My place is not really for families, so this is why I do not promote it as such. Thank you, again for your time and suggestions!

Kind regards,

Michelle

[John7474]

@Michelle3819 

Hello Michelle - 

Thank you for your note and for the information. 

Your Airbnb listing is fine, I just wanted more.  I found it interesting, and wanted more details. 

Again, your profile works, and it looks good.   I make my living as a writer, so I tend on and on. 

I assumed you wanted families..  so if not, drop most of my suggestions for families.. Maybe say things like, "It's a very quiet neighborhood" "House is best suited for mature adults" "A prefect place to rest and relax" 

Wishing you the best with your place, it's charming! 

Best, 

John 

[Melanie318]

HI Michelle, 

Your place looks beautiful! I see someone already suggested adding more details about each of the rooms and what is available. Also someone noted adding restaurants near by. The other thing I would add is attractions, grocery stores, evening entertainment. Is there a unique attraction in your area that people come to visit? How close are you to it? What are the main attractions/businesses that bring people to the area - how close are you to them? 

How close are you to transporation? If I am flying in - is it feasible for me to take an uber to your house?  If I do that are there places nearby that will deliver groceries and such?

I see you say you have coffee, do you provide creamers/ sugars, etc? Also you have a laundry facilty that I can use - which is a huge request. What kind of laundry detergent do I need or do you provide it? 

In the kitchen is there cleaning suppies, dish soap and such, or do I need to bring those? 

Is there a well -lit area that I could use to do some work or read a book? 

You really want to tell a story about the house.  I am not big on listing it has new paint, I would be more interested in hearing about the thick, plush towels, and such. I think its important to say that it is fully renovated, but that is as far as I would take it. 

You say there are 3 TVs - are they located in the bedrooms? 

Is there a local place I should go to for fresh local produce, meats, seafood, etc. Do you have a farmer's market near by? 

While it is important to sell me on the house, its also important to sell me on the area. If I am not a beach person, what is there for me?  The chances of someone come to your place just to stay at your place is rare, they are coming to visit something in the area. Tell me how conveniently located you are to those attractions/events.  

Is there somethingi that happens in your area yearly, bi-yearly, etc that people come in for? 
If so mention that in your write up. When people google lodging near that event it will pull your iisting into the search results. 

Hope all of my ramblings help. My last piece of advice is, make sure that whatever you put into your rental house for decorations, furniture, etc. is something you will not be devasted if it is broken. Majority of the renters never bust anythihg, but there is always an accident at sometime and while they didn't do it on purpose, things get broken. Linen and bedding get stained, etc. I have helped hosts who put pieces in their properties that were very special to them, then when it gets stained/broken they are just devasted. While it may be your home during parts of the year, at the other times its a rental home. 

[Michelle3819]

@Melanie318 OK, I must have done something wrong, because, like I told the other person, I have all that information  in my listing. I even created a Guide Book on Airbnb for my guests. Are these things not visible? I have spent so much time adding descriptions and information. Not sure what more I can add.

[Melanie318]

@Michelle3819 Its great that you have it in the listing - you need it in the title or introductory statement so that people click through to the listing. 

This is your listing title - and in my opinion it is not something that would trigger my interest to book. PLEASE, do not take that as mean, as it is not meant to be - just trying to be honest and helpful 

Shining Water Cottage walk to Lake Ontario beach - 

I have no idea what Shining Water is and when you say walk to the beach - I have booked places that say walk to the beach and its almost a mile - so that would not get my interest. Does that make sense?

I would probably change this to something like:

New renovated 2 bedroom cottage, one block from Lake Ontario Beach 

[Bettye6 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Michelle3819 ,

Your place looks wonderful & I could see myself easily renting there. 
I feel you listing & Guidebook are adequate. 
looking at all the other suggestions I kinda understand where they are coming from. 
I thought I had everything spelled out but as an example questions kept popping up that I already had listed down, multiple times but found a place to add the information again. 
What amazes me that I get questioned or accused of me not letting my guests of information & I send screen shots of where I put the info or where step by step process of where potential guest can find the info. 
Educating the masses has been daunting sometimes but I intend to keep my process improvement going. 
Don’t look at overstating multiple times in multiple spots redundant but rather just educating those who don’t realize how & where to find info. 
My only suggestion is to state that a guest only communicate with you through the AirBnB app only & no private texting. This protect you as you have direct proof of any issues as you used the app for communicating purposes & if you ever need support they can see what was said too. 
Protect yourself. 
The best of luck. Looks fabulous. 
Warm regards,

bettye

[Michelle3819]

Thanks @Bettye6 ! I am grateful for your time. I do have a "Things To Know" page that I will post in the cottage. I think every time I log on, I modify or add something to the listing. I'm sure it will continue to evolve. Cheers - Michelle

[Bettye6]

Exactly @Michelle3819 ! I have silver glitter binder that sits directly in front of the living room TV. In it pages that has everything plus more in it. 
Example, parking: I have that one funny issue we personally find frequently. It is where one can park. It’s on the gravel directly in front of my place, mentioned multiple times plus pictures of ‘where & how’ to park in my listing. I just added to my silver glitter rule book in the apartment AGAIN, as my guest reached to me saying I didn’t  mention where she could park. I was like 😳 

Education is bliss & people just seem to not want to take the time to read everything but just ask instead. 
WR,

Bettye