"Critique my listing" - Mary from Springfield MO, USA

[Mary-and-Randall0]

Hello my friends, I am new to being a host and have only stayed in a few AirBnB's as well. So far things are going well. Nice reviews from our 1st few guests and they have left the house in great condition. 

The location of our little house in the city is close to an event center, fairgrounds, zoo and the interstate highway. We thought our home would be great for folks that want a city get-a-way. It seems to be just that and things are working out. 

One thing I notice and this may be "normal". 

Our weekends are getting booked - so check-in Friday, 2 nights, check-out Sunday morning. Very few weekday reservations. 

It may just be the type of events in the area are weekend things but any feedback about my listing is appreciated. 

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/50703805

[Paige208]

Your place is so cute and cozy! My only recommendation is your photos. I would assume these don't do your place justice. Might be worth going through Airbnb to get a photographer out there, they are pretty affordable!

https://www.airbnb.com/d/pro-photography

[Mary-and-Randall0]

Thank you! I will consider that. I noticed day time photos look much better than evening or night time photos in that house...

[Elisa2365]

Ciao @Mary-and-Randall0 , infatti la mio primo pensiero è stato proprio questo: ma perchè non fanno le foto di giorno magari in una bella giornata di sole? ; )

[Mark116]

@Mary-and-Randall0  It's very cute.  I might spring for some more funky/textured/multi-colored throw pillows for the couch, maybe buy an inexpensive small patio set for the back patio area and/or add some large flower pots w/some plants.  If it is structurally sound, window boxes hanging off the front porch would really increase the curb appeal.  Good luck!

[Mary-and-Randall0]

Great ideas! Thank you. We do plan to do some patio furniture but we just poured the concrete for the patio before the 1st of Sept. 

[Helen427]

Wow @Mary-and-Randall0 what a wonderful home you have in a an incredible location, that of Springfield.

Isn't this the same area where Dr Seuss and his family lived when he was a boy in the late 1800's?
If so, I'd be inclined to capitalize on that history.

Theopratus, if you were not aware was a Botanist in his childhood era.

There's always stories behind the stories.

 Love the Carriage and Horse in your listing.

Do you know who owned your property and who built it?
Maybe look on the title and track back the history of your home that way, look up newspaper & photo archives and get some of them printed out, turn it into a journal for Guests to read, or hang them up framed on the wall.

It all adds to the character of your home.

Maybe add some more colourful flowers of old planted directly into the garden as they are easier to self seed that way and water.

All the best

Central To All Home & Location, Auckland, New Zealand

[Mary-and-Randall0]

Thank you Helen for your kind response. Yes, I do need to find out more of the history of this house. It is a different build than the houses around it. It is a very solid build and has held up well over the test of time. 

My husband also likes old things so he took all the old locks apart on the interior doors and made 3 of them usable for the bedrooms and bath. Then he bought old keys and tweaked them to work in the doors while making it were the keys are not removable. 

(that is a video I would like to share some day). 

I love Dr Seuss and loved reading his books to my kids when they were small but funny thing, I did not know he was from Springfield MO   🙂

The wagon wheel on the wall we plan to decorate seasonally with flowers and leaves etc... but is something we have not got done yet. 

Thank you again for your kind words, 

[Laurelle3]

Hi @Mary-and-Randall0 wwe have a cottage by the beach and our first 6 months we mainly had weekend only bookings. After looking for ideas to get more stays midweek, I decided to reduced the night price by $10  for Mon, Tue and Wed and now getting longer bookings.

As @Paige208 said maybe get professional photograper. My first photos I did myself then used an Airbnb photographer and there was a huge difference which I think has increased the views and bookings.

@Helen427 also points out the possible history and because I enjoy gardens around homes think a garden with flowers make it more inviting.

[Mary-and-Randall0]

Thank you Lauelle, I appreciate your comments. Actually all of you! You have all been very kind. I was nervous about posting a Critique request post because I am such a newbie... 
What I am hearing is more history, better pictures and more color - flowers, gardens and things like that would be helpful. Those are all easy fixes. 

I did go ahead and turn on AirBnB suggestions but I left my minimum a little high for now. Because of the part of town this house is in I don't want it to be a "cheep" place to stay. Although for 6 to 7 people it is very affordable. 

[Linda3345]

I think that perhaps Dr. Seuss was from Springfield, Massachusetts, not Missouri?   

[Patti-And-Marty0]

Lovely home! Yes I agree a little more colour in some of the photos would make them "pop" a bit more. Just my 2 cents but with 1 bathroom I think 5 people is plenty.  Sofa bed is a pain anyway and do you really want 7 people? The table seats 4 so a family with a couple kids and maybe a high chair is about max. 

The porch swing could be dressed up with some colourful cushions and a flower pot nearby, that would make a fabulous photo!!