2 Years Later - 10 Pieces of Advice I'd Give To Myself As a New Airbnb Host!

Spencer-K0
Level 10
Logan, UT

2 Years Later - 10 Pieces of Advice I'd Give To Myself As a New Airbnb Host!

2 years ago I began my family business and Airbnb adventure by listing my cabin in Bear Lake Utah as available to rent. I now own multiple properties and manage multiple more for others in the area.

 

My Property

I've now gone through the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.  I've had some amazing experiences meeting people from all over the world, I've had some horrible headaches caused for me by guests.  I've loved Airbnb and I've hated Airbnb. I've endured crazy winters and dreamy summers.  I've been a Superhost, lost it, and got it back again. I've gotten stellar amazing reviews and I've gotten straight rotten ones.  Among all of that this is what I've learned and what I would tell myself if I was starting again:

 

1. Document everything: Before, During, After

Before - Take pictures in high definition of every square inch of your house.  Literally, break your room up into quadrants and classify each quadrant.  Specific details you will look back on later, paint chips, holes, wear and tear, it will give you a base-line to compare damage to. Additionally, create a google spreadsheet of every item in your home, where you got it from, a link for a replacement, a picture of the receipt if you have it.  Categorize items by room.

 

During - Some people oppose to this, but get video surveillance for your property; both inside and out.  I have one internal camera in the main living room by the front door, and two outside watching my back deck and front door.  This becomes particularly valuable in disputes.  You have proof besides photos of dog hair that "could of been there when they arrived" (for no pet policies), or threw a party that got out of hand, or heaven forbid, walked out the front door with some of your stuff. Always make sure you disclose that your property is under video surveillance to abide by Airbnb's Terms & Conditions. My favorite is the Nest Cam for Outdoors, the 10-day playback subscription has paid for itself time and time again as a burden of proof.

 

After - I have created something I call my "100 Point Checklist". I have well over 100 items to check throughout my property after my guest leaves.  Some of the key things on my list: count the towels, check each wall for holes/nicks, check the HDMI inputs on the TV, document any new scratches in the wood floor, check each comforter for stains, check couches for stains/things that got underneath, check all windows, check the carpet by room for stains, and many many more.  This allows you to truly document the wear and tear in your property vs the damage and plan accordingly to address each.

 

2. Automate Your Property

While some hosts enjoy the thrill of spending time with their guests.  I have found 95% of guests do not want/require the interaction.  In these cases, I have automated my check in process.  This also helps me as I now have multiple properties (multiple forms of income) that are difficult to be in multiple places at once.  Key things to automate: Heater/AC & Front Door.  Everything else is extra and not really needed.  My favorite smart home integration is through Vera Controllers and connecting Nest Thermostats and the Kwikset 916 front door lock into the system.  I LOVE the Kwikset 916, it has a touchpad that you can change the code to the last 4 digits of the guest's phone number and let them remotely access the property, while still maintaining security.

 

3. Always Be the Bigger Person

I learned this lesson the hard way.  You will have demanding people, you will have rude people, you will host straight horribly demeaning people.  They will yell, they will curse you, they will demand refunds for largely unsubstantiated claims and for events that are sometimes out of your control.  I once had someone trash my property, he refused to be responsible and was so rude.  I let my anger get the better of me and told him what I really thought of him through the messenger.  It didn't make me feel any better, plus Airbnb decided not to award my claim case because of it.  Always take a second step back, breath, then address the situation. It always ends better.

 

4. Be Quick to Apologize, Then Quickly Go Above and Beyond

I once had a booking where I just couldn't get it turned around and clean in time.  I was 2 hours late for check-in.  Amongst hundreds of bookings, things like this will happen eventually. If I was in my guest's shoes I would be furious.  I quickly apologized, got them into my property and situated and quickly called the local pizza shop (which in Bear Lake is phenomenal). I had them hand deliver some gift card to my guest and told them pizza was on me.  What could have turned into a disastrous review, became one of my most glowing review that has netted me MANY additional bookings!

 

5. ALWAYS Ask For Reviews & Feedback

Here is the exact message I send to every guest after they check-out, "I work very had for 5-Star reviews as they help my business a lot.  This property is my small family business and a review goes a long way for us! If you enjoyed your stay, and wouldn't mind could you please write us a review about your favorite parts of our property?  Also, if you had anything go wrong or suggestions on how we could improve would you please send them to me in this messenger as we welcome your feedback and love to improve". This magic message has brought me more 5-Star reviews than any other property in our area.  It also serves as a release for guests to get the negative stuff off their chest before they put it in a review.  I've phrased it to seem like I genuinely want their feedback, which I do, and have learned some of my most valuable ideas to make my property stand out from this feedback from my guests.

 

6. Don't Respond, Instead Start the Conversation

So many hosts try to keep their status by being "quick to respond". Tell them the information before they ask for it, be good at communicating everything they will need to know. You will get better at this over time.  Remember, 80% of messages you need to send on Airbnb can be pre-written and sent at the opportune moment.  Some examples: Directions, Check-in Instructions, How is Your Stay Going?, Check-out Instructions, Review Request.

 

7. Forge Local Partnerships

Areas are dubbed the term "communities" for a reason.  It denotes the ability to help each other out.  Take time to create a recommended list of "things to do" or "my favorites to visit" then go to the people on that list and let them know what you are doing, that you will have guests you'd like to send to them.  Ask for exclusive discounts or partnerships.  Not only can this turn into a second form of income from the referrals, it makes your guest feel special and well taken care of!

 

8. Take a Trip Yourself

Get out and go somewhere.  Book someone else's Airbnb, take note of their style, and how they do things. Pay attention to what it feels like to be a guest.  Nothing is better for putting yourself in your guests shoes than by being one yourself.

 

9. Always Follow-Up With Guests

When someone sends you a request, they are likely looking at multiple other properties similar to yours.  They send multiple hosts requests, they get excited about their trip but then they wait to hear back from all the hosts, plus get feedback from those taking the trip with them.  If you have approved someone to book, and they haven't responded in 2-3 days reach out with a special offer and knock off 5% off the price. Everyone likes scoring a deal, help your guests feel like you will make it worth their while to stay with you.  This isn't a hard statistic, but I would guess this tip has netted me at least 15% more bookings.

 

10. Be Grateful

It is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, it is easy to get frustrated with bad guests, it is easy to get overwhelmed by all the things to do with your property and life.  Take a second, step back and find some gratitude for the opportunity to rub shoulders with diverse people in your life.  Take a second to find gratitude for the extra income your property provides.  Take a second and be grateful for the things that make your life great! It will really help you enjoy the journey, and love what you do!

 

This was mainly for me as I look back on my journey. However, I hope it has some value to someone out there!

 

Cheers.

 

 

120 Replies 120

All great points.  We like idea of the checklist to review inventory and taking pictures of all items and receipts.  Very informative.  Jennie & Mairon

Thanks!  We have been using the Properly app to do all of that and it has been an incredible investment!

Ever considered getting the Roomba 650 or 880 robotic vacuums for the cleaning process? I own other devices from Nest but I'd love to strengthen my arsenal!

We tried it!  Takes a bit too long to vacuum itself and was a bit inconsistent.  Works great in my house but not so great for short-term rental turnarounds. Have you tried it?  Does it work great for you?

J24
Level 3
London, United Kingdom

Hello can you please email me these 101 point you are having? 

Mrs-Mac0
Level 3
England, United Kingdom

"J" - as the original message was dated january 2017, maybe you should message the author direct?

send me a DM and I'll happil email them over.

Hey-Jude0
Level 2
Oaxaca, Mexico

Hi Spencer! Thank you for taking the time to write this. I am hosting in Airbnb since 2009! I started little by little, as a guest, as a host, left it away and then, restarted. Today this is my first family income and I am enjoying now more free time to explore other projects. This list is so valuable and I would love or come back time and do it better! But never is too late. I just took some notes about things I more value in your post and will keep improving. I have had wonderful experiences and also horribles ! But the worts became now a funny anecdote with friends. Un abrazo desde Oaxaca, México!

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jude

Good for you Jude!  Best of luck on your journey! 🙂

Solange22
Level 3
Willemstad, Curaçao

Thank you Spencer for sharing this valuable information. I really appreciate it. Very helpfull. Solange Lesire

My Pleasure glad I could help!

Irma-Gloria0
Level 1
Torreón, Mexico

thank you for advice and tips! very useful since I´m new here!! loved the suggestion on making a detailed list of items!!!

Glad I could help!  Best of luck! Keep us updated how it goes!

Sandra126
Level 10
Daylesford, Australia

But how long would it take to check 100 items? Over time, it would build up so much so that to me, not worth it. I barely have time to do the cleaning and gardening. When I started accommodation I counted things, checked things with some trepidation over missing/damaged items. Now I don't, I assume things will be there and the time I save is considerable. Perhaps for long term this is a good option, but I only host short term. Wear and tear you have to deal with regardless, and some damage is natural in a place which sees many people move through.

Hi Sandra,

 

It takes our staff 4 hours to clean one of our units.  Typically one of our units is a 5,000 sq/ft 8 bedroom home.  We usually have large groups of 20-30 staying in our homes for family reunions.  it takes our staff 20-30 minutes of that 4 hours clean to do that.  It makes all the difference for us on multiple properties and a significant number of bookings.  May not be right for everyone but it has helped us track our wear and tear expenses and appropriate our budgets more appropriately.  What this does for us at the end of the day is it makes us more profitable and allows us to grow more rapidly!  Wish you the best on your vacation rental journey!  Cheers!