Private bdr, bath and sitting room with micro and fridge

[Julie1525]

Currently I have 2 bedrooms and a bathroom listed. Most people come and use just the one bedroom. I don't want to rent the other bedroom out separately because of the shared bath issue. I'm wondering if I turned the second bedroom into a sitting room with TV, small table, and a mini kitchenette if it would be more rentable, especially since we live in a rural area and they can't just walk down to the local cafe. Right now I rent the space for $50, depending on the day.

I'm not sure how to list it, and not sure how to price it. I'm way lower than anywhere else near me, but most of them have a private entrance Even if they don't, they are still higher, but right in town.

Are spaces like that more sought after since the ONLY  shared space would then be the door.

[Emiel1]

@Julie1525 

If turned into a sitting room, you can accommodate 2 guests maximum.

But if 2 guests book now and do not want to share a double bed, you have to provide the second bedroom anyway, as it is offered in your listing !

Maybe the shared bath is not a big issue, so list each bedroom separately + the combi as it is now (so three listings, be sure to link calenders : https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1864/how-do-i-link-airbnb-calendars-for-multiple-listings ) and see how it goes. If no success, you can change to plans as mentioned in your posting.

Best regards,

Emiel

[Susan151]

@Julie1525  I have chosen to set up my second room as a sitting room with the option of making up the futon as a bed for a third [and sometimes a second] person. They have a private bathroom, a small fridge and machines for water and coffee. In my experience, this brings MORE value even without a separate entrance. For my type of listing, I am at the higher end cost-wise. For me, I am simply trying to provide enough value to justify the cost.

Other factors were, did I want to have strangers sharing a bath and hallway? Would I have any interest in dealing with potential squabbles or opposite schedules? Did I want to scrub a bathroom every day? No, no no.

So, though I could make more money [theoretically] renting each room separately, I have chosen a different path.

[Julie1525]

@Susan151  @Emiel1 , thank you for your responses. My plan is to use the second room as a breakfast/TV/work station room with the ability to put an air mattress there. I have changed it in my listing, but not all the information has changed yet.  I'm working on that now. Of he 10 guest bookings in the last month, only one has used the second room, but it wasn't reserved as such (another story). The only thing lacking in there now is the microwave. My goal is for them to feel like they have adequate space to spread out, eat a snack or breakfast foods, or have a work space without feeling like they or we are intruding. They can even stay in their jammies.

Emeil1, like you, I wouldn't want to be in a position of sharing a bath with people I don't know, so I wouldn't rent the rooms out to people who are strangers to each other.

[Mark116]

@Julie1525  Why don't you get a day bed?  It doubles as a couch, but it's a bed, and then no need to store or lug out an air mattress, so the space can double as a sitting room or can be used as a bedroom if people want to spread out or you could even take 1 additional X of guests.

[Julie1525]

@Mark116 , I hadn't thought of a daybed. What I want is a wall bed. But a daybed is a good halfway solution between a standalone bed and wall bed. Thanks for the suggestion!