Outside appearance

[Tiffany578]

I need some help. I've received a couple of reviews about how the outside of my apartment building is less than desirable. I totally agree with the comments and I've tried to spruce it up a little but I'm not sure how I can explain this to guest before/after booking or how else to make it appear more nice. Any suggestions are welcome!!!

airbnb.com/h/poconos-retreat

[Susan1188]

Only one solution, put realistic photos on your listing!  Make sure guests have a realistic expectation of what they will find on arrival!

[Susan1188]

Just looked at your listing - beautiful job of decorating inside but you put no photos of the building or outdoors.  So, that is why.  You have to be fully transparent, clear about the negative aspects, pricing in line with expectations... and if you get multiple bad comments either improve that aspect or decrease the price.

[Tiffany578]

Yes, I'm going to try to improve the outside areas. 

[Anonymous]

@Tiffany578   The two reviewers who made critical remarks about the exterior used the exact same sentence to do so. That can't be a coincidence - what was the relation between those two guests?

You're not required to include exterior pictures in your listing, but it is a good idea to at least convey what kind of a building it's in, and whether common areas of the building are shared with neighbors. You don't want anyone showing up expecting a secluded detached house, if that's not what it is.

[Tiffany578]

There's no relation that I know of. The listing states it's an apartment.  Once they book I also show pictures of the property so they are aware it's a building with stairs.  I believe I also mention in my listing that there are stairs and a common area such as the hallway.  

[Sarah977]

@Tiffany578  If you would like some suggestions as to how to spruce up the outside, maybe post a photo here, since there aren't any on your listing to see.

Other hosts are usually full of low-cost ideas and solutions for making a place more visually appealing.

[Tiffany578]

I'll do that.  Since it's an apartment building there's so much I can do but yes.  I'll post them.  Thanks

[Sarah977]

@Tiffany578  Yes, I get that it's not your private yard that you're going to spend a bunch of time, money and effort improving. But maybe even something like some nice plant pots with some colorful flowers in the spring and summer, replaced with some winter ornamentals, like ornamental cabbage in the fall and winter. I doubt your neighbors or the building management would object to it looking nicer. 

In any case, I'm following this thread, so I'll get a notification if you post a photo.

[Tiffany578]

@Sarah977 any idea how to upload.  It keeps giving me an error message. 

[Sarah977]

@Tiffany578  I click on that little picture symbol on the right above the reply box, which then prompts to my files, click on the photo I want, check the "Done" at the top my photo page ( I have an android phone, don't know how it's laid out on iphones) and the photo appears in the post.

[Tiffany578]

 

[Ryan2352]

If you have the ability to make any significant changes, I'd stain the steps and put a color on the door.  A bright blue, red or something other than the faded brown.  The lattice on the left is bowed out and should be reattached to the stairs/fixed.  Since it's an apartment, you may need to pester the management company to freshen it up.

The stairs aren't the same color.  Bottom step looks like it's fresh from Home Depot while the rest have some color to them.

While you're badgering the management company, get the shutters painted the new color of the door too.

[Tiffany578]

It keeps saying the file is too large.  I'm not even sure how to shrink it on an android but I went to home depot last night and bought these beautiful fall flowers it almost covers the entry way it's so big and beautiful.  It covers some of the flaws in the porch and I also bought a lattice fence to cover under the stairs where other tenants store their belongings. 

[Sarah977]

@Tiffany578  I have that problem, too sometimes-- file too large. I can't fugure out how to reduce it on my phone, either. Maybe it's not possible. 

Sounds like you've come up with some quick and easy solutions to the curb appeal. It's a pretty absurd thing for guests to complain about, anyway, unless the yard is full of garbage and junked cars. It's not something that affects their stay in any way.