How do I make our place desireable to rent?

[Shari16]

Hi all! Thanks to Lizzie for sending me the link to start a new conversation! Anyway, I am looking for advice on how to make our home more desireable. We are new to hosting and have one renter and got a good review. We have had many views since but no renters and we are looking for advice. We did receive some already and will be working on putting that advice to good use. We are in Western Pennsylvania at Camp Just One More. Hopefully this link works:

[link removed - to view listing hover over host's profile pic, click 'view profile, then 'view airbnb profile']

[Jonathan6]

Just some personal observations...

1. I would change your cover photo, make it a nature shot, this is the reason why a guest wants to be there.  I'm assuming the main reason is the lake, a great view would make it more attractive.

2. Clean up your pictures a little, for example, the coat on the wall rack, the fan makes it feel like it may be hot, the lamp with no shade.

3. Although your pictures are very fair representation, as in 1, I would put more sceens of the grounds and area, that is the reason for the stay, not your bathroom.

4. You have some competition, you may want to set your base price lower and increase your weekend rate.  Check the pricing recomendations from ABB and look at the other listings in your area.

Hope that helps.

[Shari16]

This is great feedback! I do have a question about the pricing...I was already on smart pricing and I thought that was the way to go?? I just changed the minimum and maximum to what airbnb recommends...is that the best thing to do?

[Jonathan6]

I didn't suggest you use smart pricing, I find it under prices, just use it as one piece of information in defining price, best thing to do is look at your competition, look at those listings with very little availablity and how they price. 

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

Hm... to empty, to brown, to old fashioned, to dark... and a bad cover photo. Think about hiring an interior designer to help you redecorate and then a good photographer to make new photos.

It doesn't have be very expensive.... you can paint the walls and wall wood panels, replace bed and sofa covers with more modern designs, put few modern rugs, put some decore and furniture peaces and remove the neon lights in the kitchen. Neon is unpleasent cold light and many people including me are alergic to it, it makes our eyes red.

Sorry for being so straight forward but you asked 🙂 

[Shari16]

I appreciate the feedback! We are working on modernizing it...we just bought it in May....it's coming along but I can see the trends on what we need to do next! LOL. Thank you!!

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

uh, don't use smart pricing, everyone says it is much to low

[Keleigh0]

Hi! Im an Interior Stylist and I can provide you with consulting services based on the pictures you have posted. I already see some key areas in your home that can be visually enhanced quite easily (and not expensive).  My online consulting  will provide thorough concepts that you can easily and affordable flow-through with in your space.  

Note: Pictures are the no.1 determinating factor of whether renters book, reviews are second.

I can help-Lets chat!

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