Why are we suddenly not getting inquiries or bookings?

[Kris-and-Wendy0]

Hello Community Members!

We are wondering if we could get some advice from other Airbnb hosts.  We recently increased our nightly rate; we were charging a lower rate and then adding a $5 charge per guest after 2, but found that guests were lying about the number of guests to get a lower rate; therefore creating more cleaning costs, etc for us.  If it would've worked out, it would've been perfect; but unfortunately, there are dishonest guests out there, and in our case, quite alot of them.  This time last year, we were already fully booked for most of the summer--this year, hardly anything.  Is our price too high?  Is it maybe the $20 cleaning fee we recently added? We just don't know what we should change.  Our village is very rural, but relatively close to local attractions.  We have more of a tiny farm kind of atmosphere with a large garden (which we share with our guests), goats and chickens, lots of cats, etc.  This has become part of most of our guests' stay highlights--so, should we add pictures of the animals, or would this deter people who may not want to visit them?--they are all located to the back of the property, and the home's fenced in backyard seperates them, but most go out the back gate and take them treats (which we provide).  Do people like this atmosphere?  It's really the only thing close to a "niche" that we have it would seem.  Any suggestions would be much appreciated.  Thanks so much!

[Emiel1]

@Kris-and-Wendy0,

Did you check amount of recent views  (at menu: performance) ?

When searching for "Hartington" your listing is on first page at nr 1

But learned from Wikipedia it is a small place....

.

Maybe promote your listing also via Social media:

https://www.airbnb.com/users/121745322/listings

Best regards,

Emiel

[Kris-and-Wendy0]

Hi Emiel!

We are a small place, but close to the state parks and gavins point dam; these are usually the attractions that our guests are in our area for.  We have 230 views and only 4 bookings--kinda depressing.  Thanks for the advice!

[Carol777]

I just raised my prices, took off the charge for an extra person over 2 and changed to a 2 night minimum.  I’ve been getting too many bookings for one night on a Friday or Saturday which makes the rest of the weekend useless.  I took off the charge for the third person because, like you, too many were booking for one when there were three, and once they show up it’s really hard to make them change the booking and pay for the extra person.  I don’t know if it will hurt my bookings or not but recently a newer host in town started renting a single room for the same thing I rent my 2 room apartment for so I think my price is too low.  Time will tell.  

[Kris-and-Wendy0]

Hi Carol!

We actually ran into that same issue initially; our resolution was to keep a 1 night minimum Sunday thru Thursday and then a 2 night minimum Friday and Saturday.  That way, we could still get those 1 night stays to fill in during the week, but reserve those weekends for the longer stays. During the winter months, however, we keep the 1 night minimum as things are super slow. We too, have found that the only way we could've avoided the dishonest # of guests would've been to lock the 2nd bedroom so it couldn't be used.  We toyed with it, but in the end just worried it would be too offensive....like we didn't trust them. 

[Sarah977]

@Carol777 There is no listing attached to your profile. Did you snooze it? If not, you'd better check what's going on. Maybe something glitched out when you changed all those things.

[Emiel1]

deleted (mistake)

[John1080]

@Kris-and-Wendy0, looking at your place, I'd say the price is very reasonable and would guess the dropoff has more to do with the season more than anything else. Overall, the weather has been pretty nasty over the plains and I'd bet a lot of people are just not traveling right now. 

If your niche is a farm-like atmosphere, I would indeed highlight that and add it to your narrative, hoping to attract people who would like to commune with animals during their stay.

I bet you'll pick right back up when it warms up a bit. 

[Kris-and-Wendy0]

Hi John!

Thanks for the encouragement!  The weather has been awful--and doesn't show signs of improving anytime soon.  We were actually initially worried our little farm would be a turn-off; funny how guests' perceptions can change your own.  We may try to focus a little more on the farm-like experience and see how it goes.......Thanks again!

[John1080]

@Kris-and-Wendy0, have you all had a lot of snow? We've had well below average here at our home on the edge of the plains in northern Colorado. Luckily, we've had about 30% above normal at our Airbnb rental in southern Colorado. Thank goodness, we're getting a good amount all over the state as we speak! 

[Kris-and-Wendy0]

Yes, we have had ALOT of snow---it's become a bit of a constant annoyance; that and frigid cold temps down to 50 below with wind chills.  Doesn't appear as though anything will change  anytime soon.  Traveling to Nebraska isn't very appealing right now.  

[John1080]

@Kris-and-Wendy0, yep, there's your answer! Make the most of spring, summer, and fall! That's been our experience.