Six tips for the first time Airbnb Host
Have a spare room in your house? Or a holiday house standing open? Why not rent it out on Airbnb?
Airbnb allows you to make use of your property by renting it out online. It’s safe and generates a pretty good side income.
Here are six tips for the first time Airbnb host.
1. Quality photos
Taking proper photos of your property that you want to put on Airbnb is very important. The right photos are bright, light and show the location’s personality. Photos are an opportunity to show off your home, so don’t hold back on taking photos from different angles. You want to show each of the available rooms, the scenic view as well as anything else which might be interesting to potential guests. For example, if your property is a self-catering unit, you will want to take photos of the room, the kitchen area as well as the view from the balcony.
2. Be descriptive
Potential guests are going to scan through your listing and read the description and decide whether to book or not. Include as much detail as possible in the properties description. Does your property have stairs, a bath or shower? Do you offer free WIFI? When writing the description, think about all the factors that are important to you when booking and then list them. Remember to be upfront about check in and check out times, as this will prevent any confusion or scrambling to get the room clean for your new guests.
3. Decorate the place
A clean, cosy space that is well maintained will make your guests feel right at home. One of the best ways to set the atmosphere of your place is through the use of ambient lighting. The light should be soft, calming and relaxing. Avoid fluorescent and bright coloured lighting. Rather incorporate soft downlights and candles throughout the house and then good reading lights beside each bed. You are not going to want to spend tens of thousands of rands on preparing your property for Airbnb, but giving it a simple makeover will certainly help with your Airbnb reviews. Try add a few simple things to modernise your establishment. These changes could include giving the walls a fresh coat of paint, buying curtains that are a similar neutral shade to the walls, making sure the carpets are clean and that the house is stocked with the essentials needed for your guests. Small details count, so think of adding a few picked flowers to each room, as it will add an element of surprise and comfort.
4. Greet your guests
If possible, greet your new guests at the door upon arrival. This gives both parties an opportunity to meet and it gives the guests a chance to ask any last minute questions. Be sensitive to their needs and questions, even if all the questions have been answered in your back and forth communications. You want your guests to come back and recommend your listing to friends and family (and get a positive mention on social media), so be friendly, open and ready to help ease them in as soon as they walk in. If you can’t be there to greet your guests, use a keyless lock system. These are keypad locks which work on a code which will be different for each guest. This allows the guest to check-in and out without the host having to be present. Another bonus is that you won’t have to worry about lost keys.
5. The added extras
Being a good Airbnb host isn’t just about having a great spot with all the essentials. It is also about having those added extras which guests often forget to bring. Make sure that the lounge area has space where there are books and magazines to read as well as board and card games available. If you are renting your place out during the festive season, add a Christmas wreath on the front door or a personalised card wishing your guests a merry Christmas. Again, the small details are what will really set you apart from other hosts. You want to make the guests feel welcome and right at home. If your property is situated in a local wine district then try and work out a discount rate with a local wine farm and offer a complimentary bottle of wine on your guests’ arrival. This will not only earn a few extra brownie points but will market other local businesses.
6. Area information
Leave your guests brochures, menus and information pamphlets on what there is to do in the area. To make it more personal you can personalise the list of
Leave your guests plenty of information on what to do in the area. You can also personalise the information pack according to what you picked up in your correspondence with your guests prior to arrival. If they mentioned that they were interested in hiking and trying out a local Italian restaurant, then make sure the pamphlets of hiking trails and local food menus are available. Or perhaps they hinted that they enjoy local history? Go ahead and leave the local museum pamphlet in the house. This personal touch will certainly show in the Airbnb reviews.
Now that you have these six tips on being a first time host on Airbnb, put it to practice and watch as your listing reviews all rave about your amazing spot and incredible hospitality skills.