@Catherine935
Hi I would love to see your welcome message.
One of the problems on this forum Catherine is that when you reply to a post - the system - gives no indication who you are replying to. Many systems do. This one doesn't.
It helps if you type the @ then the name of the person you want to reference with number, then choose them in the drop down window. They then receive a notification and you will more likely get a reply.
I don't think it is me who you were asking about welcome messages, but I reply personally and appropriately to guest bookings based on their initial enquiry, size of group, configuration of group etc.
I'm still learning Airbnb. I'm mostly learning the space between what I expect Airbnb to do for me as a Host and what ACTUALLY Airbnb will do for me as a Host. That space is getting wider daily as I learn from other Hosts' experience. Like you, the realisation that any problem is best confronted and dealt with head on is probably the real deal in any dispute situation. Prior to that, having a detailed House Rules policy to mitigate impact on my hosting and protect my property.
The most important learning is three things:
1. The Hosting agreement is legally binding between Host and Guest.
2. I need the name and address of the booking guest so that I can legally enforce my Hosting agreement.
3. I should not be financially compromised by guests breaking a legally binding agreement, and I won't be.