I want to somehow kindly word that we don't accept guest that are new to on airbnb. Suggestions??

[Ernie--and-Lenora0]

I've been hosting for the past couple months now and find that I am most comfortable accepting guests that are not new with airbnb and have positive reviews.  I have a private room that I rent in my home and share common spaces so I want to have more feedback from other hosts before I allow a stranger in my home. I currently have a new reservation pending but they have nothing about themselves and they didn't send a message either. This is the first time anyone has tried to make a reservation without sending the "hello I am so and so wanting to rent your room in your home"......  Just as I don't allow kids and smokers I want to add that I also don't accept new airbnb travelers without reviews.  suggestions??

[Gerry-And-Rashid0]

50% of our guests are new to AirBnB and some of them we are still in contact with. In fact I am staying with one guest in the US later this year and we have another couple staying with us (as friends) over Christmas from Singapore. So, while I absolutely respect your request to only take experienced AirBnB'ers - I think you are missing the point.

Email exchanges and your gut feeling is so much better than a review. We have a lovely couple staying with us right now from Malaysia, who are on honeymoon in London. No reviews. Newbies. And you could not ask for nicer people to share your home.

Good luck and stick to what is right for you

[Elaine-and-Duane0]

We rent out part of our home. Like you, I want to be comfortable with whomever is sleeping under the same roof. Our Midwest town is not a big destination. Even so, many who do come are brand new to Airbnb without reviews and sometimes no profile info. We overcome this by asking questions. All guests have been very gracious in answering. If, in the future, a guest is not forthcoming, I would decline. So far, so good. Our guests have been terrific. We were all newbies at one time. 

[Andrea9]

@Ernie--and-Lenora0

Same here - great newbie experience, but some maybe thought it was a normal B&B...

It's up to me to involve them in convo to give more info since you are opening your home to them. Scroll down to my answer with 

more detailed answer to vetting guests etc. in another post 

that I gave to somebody else.

And I would be careful about turning on Instabook as another host suggested. Even with 'positive' reviews it's not a guarantee since hosts are often too afraid to be as critical as they should be and give thumbs up. 

[Ernie--and-Lenora0]

Thank you @Gerry-And-Rashid0 @Anne44@Elaine-and-Duane0@Andrea9!! 

I truly love being able to have this support from other hosts and all your feedback helps so much. This has given me more confidence!

I went ahead and started conversation with this recent newbie and I think its going to be a great hosting experience. One bad apple can sure change your way of thinking. I am reminded by all of you that majoirty of newbies have been wonderful and we too have made made lifelong  friendships/relationships.  

I will remember to "go with my gut feeling". Always!

Thanks All!

[Elaine-and-Duane0]

Open mind, open heart, open house. Happy hosting