New to the Community Center? Introduce yourself here (Updated)

[#1]

Hello everyone,

A warm welcome to the Community Center. 

This discussion is for introducing yourself to your fellow Airbnb Community members, as well as welcoming and saying hello to newcomers in return. Thanks to all of you who have already introduced yourself and contributed in our previous thread, here.  

I'm Lizzie and I am the Community Manager here, along with my teammate @Quincy. I have been managing the Airbnb Community Center since it officially opened in November 2015. It is fantastic to speak with amazing community members here. 

To kickstart this topic, I would like to share a few things about myself:

1. I love to travel, hot or cold it doesn't matter - I'm ready with my sun lotion or a raincoat! 
2. I play several instruments, but my main one is the flute. I always enjoy a good conversation about music. 
3. Lastly, over the past year I have become very interested in all things eco/sustainablilty related.

How about you? Any interesting facts or hobbies?

I'm looking forward to hearing from you. 

Lizzie

[Stacey285]

Hello Everyone,

I new to Airbnb as a host and my first rental is live! Looking forward to getting some bookings and more places to host!

[Terrie9]

Welcome!

[Christine2772]

Hi, I am new to hosting on airbnb. I opened my home to airbnb in October and have been swamped with bookings. I have an infrared sauna and an outdoor hot tub. Every guest comments and states that they booked here for the hot tub and sauna. My question is....how to keep the hot tub clean? I am working with our local hot tub store and things are better but not quite right. Any suggestions from others who have a hot tub?

[Marjorie176]

Hello everyone. My husband and I are new Airbnb hosts with a guest apartment in the Smokies of western North Carolina. We are learning to clog (mountain dance.) We love sharing our beautiful long-range view with guests.

[Terrie9]

Welcome to the family!

[Lois365]

Hi Lizzie,

it’s great to be here. Thank you. I’ve hosted in our home and have bought a piece of paradise on a small island in British Columbia, Canada. I’m super excited about the “adventurers” and hope I’ll be accepted to do so soon. Until then can I run my place as an experience? How long does it take to be accepted? I don’t see any listings for it in Canada as of yet! 
I’m enjoying my adventure developing the property and hosting people in the summer! Looking forward to having a fabulous garden to share this coming year too! Passions: Boating, fishing, and gardening. 

[Rafael236]

Hello Lizzie, Airbnb community:

It is an honor and pleasure to introduce myself to you. My name is @Rafael236, I currently reside in the Dominican Republic. I work as an academic coordinator for a language school. Let me say that even though business has not been as one would like it to be, in terms of receiving guests, but am content and very much grateful for the assistance I have received from Airbnb. I am optimistic that tourism will pick in the near future and business will again show its great potentials.

[Cecelia25]

Thinking of joining up with a self contained property that we live on in south east Qld, close to public transport and beaches etc.  The only problem seems to be the Gold Coast City Council and their current requirement for an $8,000 applic fee.   This council have a long standing reputation of being very difficult to deal, so wondering if anyone can offer some advice on this issue please.  Thanks in advance,              Toomuchtopay@QLD  

[Jo691]

what happened?  I'm wondering if, like NYC, they are trying to protect the hotels, etc.

[Mike2230]

Hello,

My name is Mike and I have a 1 unit in Florida.  I have just learned of this forum to interact with other hosts etc. 

I have been using Airbnb as a host for about 4 years now, but find that I sometimes have questions that are hard to find on the general website. So I am hoping to learn more about hosting here.

One question I have.  Has anyone ever felt like a guest is trying to get a  very large refund or discount, based on something very small or minor?  in other words they are asking for an unreasonable reduction.

Thanks

Mike

[Mike-And-Jane0]

@Mike2230 This seems to be most prevalent in the USA. Thankfully it hasn't really hit here in England but I fear it will eventually unless Airbnb get themselves together and stop supporting guests with frivolous claims

[Jo691]

Mike, is it possible you are getting a crappy kind of guest? Or was this just a one-off?  I would definitely expect air bnb to be able to sort out this issue, but in the meantime, as a newbie, I've found that only accepting people who have no negative reviews, and also not undercharging, has given me mostly really nice people. 

[Faisal47]

Thanks to all my wonderful guests and it was a pleasure hosting and knowing them. I focus on offering an affordable safe and clean home to rent which is very different feel than staying in a hotel.

[Nick2073]

Hello Everyone!!

My name is Nick from Racine, Wisconsin.  I've been a host with one listing for about two years now and have absolutely loved it!  As of late I have been getting much longer term stays where guests will stay for 1 month or longer.  While the reduced income hasn't been favorable, the reduced cleaning work and maintenance has been welcomed with open arms!

Cheers everyone!!!

Nick

[Barış10]

Hi everyone, This is Baris from Kocaeli, Turkey. I actually educated and worked for tourism business. I am in the business since 1993. As an ex travel agent staff AirBnB was our one of the biggest opponent. But now I am part of it. I have an apartment to rent on AirBnB. It is a very good experience to meet new people and earn money too. I guess this is the job for me after age of 46 🙂 

I am open all advises... 

Thanks and best regards from Turkey to the world...