Starting Airbnb booking

[Sofia1538]

Hi everyone ! 

what tips and tricks would you recommend for someone to start an air bnb business. 

from finding a air bnb rental friendly building/house to booking your first reservation?

thank you 

[Laura-G12]

@Sofia1538 Awesome that you’re looking into Airbnb! Biggest things I’d say are: check local rules, make sure the property actually allows short-term rentals, and focus on making your listing stand out with great photos and pricing.  First few reviews are key!  Laura

[Louise1599]

@Sofia1538 When I bought my first rental it was due to spending a ton of money on other airbnbs in the area which I loved and visited during the summer months, and figured I could have my own vacation home that pays for itself. But by then I had stayed in a lot of airbnbs understood what I liked what I didn’t like.  We looked for a place that ticked the boxes of what I wanted in an Airbnb when booking in the area - view, quiet, hot tub, porch for enjoying the view, didn’t have to be big, just enough rooms for the kids etc, we considered 2 beds but 3 make more money. We wanted something that would be easy to clean and pretty to look at, and something a little different to a regular house. My big thing is cleanliness, I want people to visit and think they were the first people ever in that house, it’s brand new and spotless, like a nice hotel room. Being easy to clean and keep clean is so important. I could go on and on lol. You are welcome to reach out and ask more questions 

[Laura8675]

I had expected a family member to move in with us, and made a basement apartment for them, but plans changed and I had a basement suite with a private entrance.  So I turned it into an Airbnb.  

  I had no idea what to expect but I went for it.

  And it takes upkeep and attention but it’s a source of some extra income  which is nice because I’m getting to retirement age.

[Karen4496]

Good day -  

Make yours stand out by having the best mattresses and linens you can afford.  Black out curtains are a must in the bedrooms.  Over equip your kitchen - make sure your pots and pans are in really good shape (we replace ours the minute they start looking too worn).  We provide spices, basic condiments, tea, coffee, flour, sugar, foil, plastic wrap, storage container for left overs, zip lock bags.   Extra tp and paper towels … none of this has to be overly pricey I stock up on when things are on sale and go to the dollar general as they sell things in smaller quantities. As we have a septic system, I also supply all the dishsoap, laundry supplies, and bath toiletries as it matters what goes down the pipes. 

Guests love extra throw blankets and pillows - if you allow pets - we have dog beds, toys, and a treat jar. We have leather furniture which allows  for easy cleanup and no dog hair - and as dogs can have accidents we also have a special dog cleanup supply container.  Also, list the nearest vet and vet hospital in your welcome info. 

Finally - be a good communicator - problems will arise but it’s how you respond that matters.  A prompt response and being a problem solver will overcome 99 percent of guest issues.  And go easy on what you ask the guests to do on check out - they paid a cleaning fee after all - ask them to take the trash out and run the dishwasher ….maybe start a load of laundry but that’s it 

hope this helps

Karen 

[Kira462]

@Sofia1538 We are 4.5 months into our first airbnb!  It is going better than we expected! 5 stars, 21 bookings!

I agree with another who posted here, find a place that is easy to maintain, easy to clean.  I love that our custodian/linen closet is close to the bedrooms.  I cleaned an airbnb prior that the closet was in the basement and the rooms were upstairs.  Ugh.  

If possible have multiple king rooms, people love big beds!  I know i do!

Thrift many of your furnishings  to help keep costs down. I don't mean mattresses etc. But things like kitchen utensils,  lamps, side tables.  I was able to save a lot of money on things I could clean up nicely.   It can get very expensive outfitting an entire house. 

Have comfortable beds, couches, chairs.  Give the home character.

And probably the most important is lining up EXCELLENT  cleaners.  This one category will make or break you.  Seriously. 

[Kristen768]

@Sofia1538 I have built a buyers guide as well as an operators guide that I could send you! Just shoot me a dm if you'd like to see them! Free of course, theyre are both just pdf packets 🙂 

[Kellie172]

Congrats on starting your own Airbnb business!

I would follow Thanks For Visiting - they are hosts who have tons of information on starting and maintaining an Airbnb. They helped me a great deal when I was beginning.

Kellie

[Kristin-and-Chris1]

Love Annette and Sarah!! @Kellie172  is right Thanks for Visiting us a game changer ! 

[Mary7374]

•Invest in quality linens and mattresses.
•Be generous in stocking supplies. 
•Keep everything clean and spotless. 
•And be friendly and accommodating! 
We are not in a popular vacation-area and we achieved super-host status and guest favorite in the first two months.