What's the best piece of advice you've been given about hosting?

[Stephanie]

Hello everybody, 

Hosting is a constantly evolving passion and, like anything, the more the do it, the more knowledgeable you get. Tips along the way can be a great helping hand and can really help steer you in the right direction. 

What was the best advice you've received about hosting - one which made the most beneficial difference to your process?

Looking forward to swapping tips!

Stephanie

[Roberta2]

Hi @Stephanie 

For me, before starting, was to see my place trough the eyes of the guest.

See what they may need, and what would make they comfortable.

Sometimes is a simple thing like a frozen pizza available if they are arriving late and may be hungry, and no shops are available.  

Also, be communicative. Ask questions, before and during their stay, to ensure that I can fix any issue before check out (and review) time.

[Steven65]

Hi @Stephanie . When we purchased our holiday home, we had not heard of Airbnb and had no clue. We contacted a local  agent, met them for coffee and chat and they recommended we focus on flat cleanliness and guest communication. They also said it is not easy or cheap. I think they were right on all counts!

[Dimitar27]

The best advice about hosting was...to think twice before starting it. 🙂

[Cormac0]

Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity but cashflow is reality.

[Nutth0]

@Stephanie My first guest, He was my truly teacher. I received a trust and believe in me and that is inspired me to host.

[Ann783]

Communication is key. Also be generous and kind.

[Marie82]

@Stephanie 

don't trust Airbnb Smart Pricing

Don't trust the ID verification System

And don't trust Support when after guest trash your apartment with pics to prove it they will give u repair fees/or cleaning fees/or extra guests fees

Don't trust their Algorithm

Don't trust their star rating

[Yadira22]

@Stephanie  ... no means no! 
Do not compromise yourself or your schedule for someone else. 

Be realistic! 

Note to self: because god knows if your not, your guests will have no fighting chance. 😉

Outsource check in/cleaning , standardise all/most communication and finally buy in bulk! 

[Helen427]

@Stephanie @Yadira22 @Marie82 @Ann783 @Nutth0 and others, I took a moment to reflect back on my job in Hospitality and a phrase we were taught, "Little things mean a lot"..it's always stuck with me throughout my lifetime.

As has, Treat others how you would like to be treated.

All the best

[Rebecca181]

When I first began hosting a few years ago I was told by some hosts who have been with Airbnb since nearly the beginning these two things:

1) Don't rely on Airbnb as your only income stream as hosts have been de-listed without notice and were not able to even find out what the reason was: They were just "disappeared", like characters in a Stephen King novel. I have seen this happen first-hand now (David in Colorado being one of the more prominent cases). 

2) Don't rely on the (mythical) Host Protection Guarantee or the (mythical) security deposit, because they are, well...mythical.