Critique My Listing - Lindsey from Pennsylvania

[Lindsey325]

Brand new to Airbnb and quite nervous about taking this leap with our little cabin. Would love some advice from smart, experienced airbnb’ers who are willing and have a moment to critique my listing. Thank you so much in advance! 
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/54143246?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=512f401c-c3ff-4f0f-8ed8...

[Patricia3334]

There are additional fees for different states and even counties.

Airbnb collects Guest service fee, Occupancy taxes and I have a cleaning fee which are added onto the nightly fee. Airbnb keeps one and the other is collected and paid for me to the county - basically a hotel tax required by law. The cleaning fee is for me to keep if I do the cleaning or to use to pay someone I hire.

[Patricia3334]

Another thought: your cabin is gorgeous and should go for $250 to $350 a night. Especially in the spring, summer, fall.

[Lindsey325]

Thank you so much--all of your info and insight has been so valuable. I have made some tweaks based on your advice (adding an extra fee for more than 2 guests, since that means they'll use an extra bedroom, etc.) I also bumped up prices, especially during peak season, holidays and home football game weekends for Penn State.

[Gillian166]

so as a photographer I can offer some tips on taking better photos with your phone camera.  My daughter is currently managing our listing so I have to coach her through taking new pics when we change things. 
1) horizontals for this platform. 
2) (where possible!) stand with your back to the window and shoot the room from there, you'll get a much nice exposure as the phone camera can't balance the bright light from the window with the darker room interior. 
3) shoot the view from the window, even with a bit of the window in for context. early morning or late afternoon will have the prettiest light for these. 
4) try to avoid shooting into the sign for outdoor pics. again, if the sun is still high, put it behind you and let it shine its light on your subject, but not be in the picture. 
5) shoot detail shots (like the coffee cups on the ottoman, wonderful) in portrait mode, to get that lovely depth of field that looks professional. 

6) a quick edit on some of these would fix the white balance (light colour) and straighten them up. 

your place is gorgeous and it would be a dream location to shoot! 

[Lindsey325]

Thank you! So kind of you to take the time to share all of this info with me. Much appreciated.

[Katrina310]

I would post some winter photos if you are going to be open year round. They can see what the lake is like and what kinds of activities they might be able to partake in. We have a firepit but do not allow guests to use it. I don't want them to cut trees, nor do I want them to start the grass on fire by accident; we get really dry here. 

[Candee0]

What a beautiful cabin! The property is awesome!

I felt nervous looking at the stairway with a rail only on one side. It looks dangerous to me.

I hope you have good business/home rental insurance- not regular home owners insurance.

Happy hosting!

[Kristin108]

Nice property!

I know with everything to consider with a new listing, it is sometimes hard to get just the right shots of a property... However, would strongly suggest, as others have mentioned, that you invest in some better photos...

I am constantly trying to improve my listing photos. And although I am actually a designer, I find it hard to be objective with my own listings... Always helps to have a fresh pair of eyes...

I don't like real estate photographers, and don't recommend them, as they don't usually get it when it comes to vacation rentals! Too many filters and weird enhancements, etc... 

I'm kinda off the cuff here...But maybe you would consider offering a free stay to a local influencer/photographer in exchange for use of their photos. 

[Huma0]

@Lindsey325 

I agree with the other comments about improving the photos, although I don't think they are terrible at all. In fact, I think you've got lots of nice exterior shots. It's the interior ones that need some work. To me, the main issue is that there are very few shots that properly show the rooms. Instead they are quite closely cropped sections of the rooms.

I know it's difficult to shoot a wide shot if you don't have a wide angled lens, but there are a few tips already mentioned above that should help and yes, definitely try to use landscape rather than portrait, other than for shots of details. 

One trick is to shoot the room from each of the corners, rather than standing in the middle of the room or middle of the door (you don't need to include all four angles, just try them and see which look best). Get as far back into the corner as you can. You can also shoot standing in the doorway to get even more of the room in.

Try different camera heights, including getting down low on the floor, not just taking them from a standing height. 

If you can, shoot on a bright sunny day and let in as much natural light as possible as home lighting often casts a funny tone on the photos. Rooms usually look better in daylight (every interiors photographer I know prefers to shoot using natural light if they can) unless you are trying to depict a cosy nighttime feel.

[Julie4335]

Looks gorgeous and great price