@Brenda501 so sorry you are now on your own - and for the loss of your husband.....I hope you have wonderful sweet memories to draw from to help give you peace..................... I am sure I can not imagine what all you are going through.. however, I do know what I'm fairly sure is the best answer for you with your question about starting a business as an Airbnb host.
KNOWLEDGE.....go online, Google, Youtube .... Airbnb has all the rules and info you need to know about Airbnb all the stuff really important......Learnairbnb.com, STRuniversity - read, makes notes and learn all you can BEFORE you begin to even think to make your listing, photos and all that. Many people think that is all there is to hosting...is making a listing, photos and guessing what to do for all that hosting is about......this is incorrect and we see/read all the struggles with that approach and learning the hard way. I took 4 months and read, watched videos and learned as much as I could to prepare me to be a host a little over 2 yrs ago when I retired, (a forced early retirement) due to traumatic life events.
I have done really well, my business is thriving and I am the leader in our community for Airbnb Hosts and I moderate our FB group and I read/study some each day to keep learning and growing my knowledge............because there are many ways to host and if you can avoid situations and things ahead of time WHY NOT?
In your learning you will read - that people will want more when you bend your rules. When you make rules DO NOT BEND THEM.....
So I do not give early check ins/ late check out
I do not do IB instant book - that's when your calendar is set and if a day is open people can book. I have it so that anyone staying MUST ask me to stay here. I have a cottage behind our home, totally private and so I begin a dialogue with the guests and I ask a few questions....like What brings you to Pensacola? Who's traveling with you? Are you smokers? Those questions are critical for me to know for hosting - as my place is a NO SMOKING PROPERTY.....and I DO NOT BOOK LOCAL PEOPLE! important cause in almost 100% of cases locals want to do illegal, or improper things/ party or something they don't want to do in their own home. Or they are homeless and then its possible a squatter.
This is just a few things I think are the critical stuff when considering hosting with real forethought.
I recommend doing it. Also, many hosts on here have helped me so much -esp. when I got in situations where I didn't know how to respond or what to do...... BUT a few have some ideas that are NOT Airbnb correct and are aggressive, emotional and bring poor results.
I would say MOST important thing to learn to do as a HOST is learn to Host without being emotional ......not easy for many of us, esp.me. I mean Don't take it personal............when the sheets get stained, when they leave lights on and A/C on when gone with total disregard, throw trash on the floor 1 ft from the trash can - its like a game of learning to outsmart in ways you would never imagine. I hope this is helpful in some way................keep us posted and ASK cause people wanna help out.
many blessings to you and happy hosting, clara
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