Best Availability Settings?

[David6189]

Hey there AirBnB community!

I'm a relatively new host with pretty basic availability settings enabled (2 night minimum, 1 day before + after blocked, Instant Book on), and I am finding that the resulting schedule is highly inconsistent / chaotic / difficult to plan my cleaner around.  I'm aware that there are more "advanced" settings, like "check in not allowed" days, seasonal stay minimum requirements, etc, and I'm not really certain how to use those effectively.

Do folks here have recommendations on how to configure availability settings?  What prep times, availability windows, and minimum stays do people use and like?  How can I effectively use the "no checkins on XXX day" feature?  

I'd love to find a way to improve consistency of scheduling ... without sacrificing occupancy rates.  Any pro-tips are welcome.

Thanks!

David

[Branka-and-Silvia0]

@David6189 

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Each of us can tell you what works for us but it doesn't mean it will work for you.

We are off-site hosts, with 1-day advance notice, 2 nights min stay and same day turnovers. I use rule sets to prevent 1-night gaps between bookings during the season. For example if I get booking from Monday-Wednesday then I will allow the next booking from Wednesday or from Friday so I either have a same-day turnover or 2 nights in between.

[David6189]

Interesting, and thank you for sharing!  

So if you have a guest that stays from Monday through Wednesday, you'll allow a new guest to book EITHER that same Wednesday that the previous guest is checking out on OR Friday.   What's the goal of that?   

[Jim472]

Is the cleaner the only reason you're dealing with all the fluff? If so I'd get another one. If there are other considerations then please elaborate. I'm sure there are tons of services in the 415 that could flip your place in your desired time frame. A noon checkout with a 2pm check in would allow 2, 4, or 6 hours of cleaning for 1, 2, or 3 person crew. 

[Emilia42]

I agree with @Jim472. It's the blocking one day before and after each reservation that can give you wide gaps in between bookings (if you aren't willing to take one night stays.) Do you have any way around this?