@Angie520
Well, it's just common sense, but there's a procedure...
First, as a new host, if you choose to enable "instant book", then turn on all filters. All of them. Verified ID, good reviews, profile photo. This tends to narrow it down to those who have a good history with Airbnb. It's not a guarantee, but it seems to weed out the worst of them.
Second, those who can't instant book must either "inquire" or "request" a booking.
Or just don't enable instant book and then everybody has to ask.
If you don't know the difference, "inquiries" are simply that. Someone sends you a message asking about the property, availability, etc. You must respond quickly, or your response rate drops.
A "request" is an actual request to book. They've already committed, and all you need to do is "accept" or "decline" their request.
Declining a request can also harm your scores, so you need to tread that path carefully.
Anyway, here's where the vetting begins.
Most "good" guests will tell you who they are and why they like your property. Maybe say "it's me and my husband and 2 children coming for a much needed break", much like your friends might speak. Stuff like that. But there's more to ask before accepting their booking.
It's always a good idea to look at their profile before anything else. Do they have one? When did they join? Do they say anything about themselves in the profile? Do they have any reviews? Verified ID? If not, then start asking why. But do it in the, same way you might explain it to say, a nice acquaintance at your sport club. Respectfully.
If they just joined, and have no profile or history, it's a red flag. Be very cautious. And honest.
Now you should point out that they have no profile or history, and that makes them "statistically" a bit risky... and begin reminding them of house rules, and penalties, and nicely ask them to expressly agree that they understand these rules, and penalties...
...and then wait to see their response. if they dodge the point, or vanish... You're probably better off. If their response is weird, or strange, tell them you don't think they are a good fit, and ask them to cancel their request.
The bad ones are pretty obvious right off the bat. No profile, no history, and they're either too smarmy, over emphasizing how wonderful they are and how great your house is, or can't form a sentence, or say things that suggest they're just not being honest about something. Red flag. Scare them away. You don't want them. Too risky.
There's a third type, the groups of 19-25 year old males. Very high risk group. Try to scare them away by (nicely) explaining they're a high risk group, and so you have to ask a hefty security deposit. It usually scares them away, but if not, they'll want their security deposit back, so you can be pretty sure the house will be pretty clean and orderly at checkout. Sometimes amazingly so. It's always worked for us.
For all others who are forthright about who they are and their intentions, and have a long list of good reviews, you should treat them like friends and never question their intentions, as long as they don't exhibit any strange or over the top requests or change their tune mid conversation. Just accept their booking. They're likely to be good guests.
That's what we do now, and we've kept a pretty good stream of pretty good guests, after being horribly sideswiped a few times.
