Your AirBnB Playbook: The Top 5 Things Before You Launch Your Listing
So you’ve decided to list your property on AirBnB. AHHH-MAZING. I mean who wouldn’t want that income stream in THIS economy, am-I-right?? It’s a smart move, but you need to know where to start. Consider this your AirBnB host-to-be playbook that will help you grow your business and avoid some all-too-common pitfalls.
As a long-time AirBnB host, I know firsthand how daunting this endeavor can feel. The list of “you don’t know what you don’t knows” can be exhaustive and make you question if the juice is worth the squeeze. And you’re not alone - every property owner who has ever made the decision of listing their property has experienced some amount of trial and error in figuring out how to navigate the world of AirBnB.
So let's save you some time (and frustration) and break this down into five straightforward steps:
1.) LOCAL LAW COMPLIANCE
To ensure compliance with city and state laws when renting out your property on Airbnb, you need to make sure you understand the specific rules and regulations in your area. The “I didn’t know” defense may have worked with that cop who pulled you over for speeding, but it’s unlikely to work here, babycakes.
First stop: check out Airbnb’s Help Center
Next, head over to the official website of your city or municipality and look for information on short-term rental regulations, permits, licenses, taxes, and any other requirements imposed on hosts. As property rental platforms like AirBnbB have grown in popularity, many local government websites now have specific pages dedicated to short-term rentals. HERE is the Greater Palm Springs page for example.
Still lacking clarity? Consult organizations like the Short-Term Rental Association or similar reputable associations that focus on short-term rental regulations. These organizations often compile and provide resources on AirBnB regulations by city and state.
Got a few more unanswered questions? Consulting a local attorney who specializes in real estate or short-term rental law. Yes, the internet is a bottomless well of information - but sometimes talking to an informed, 3-dimensional human is best.
2.) SUPPLIES AND EXTRAS
Now that you’ve confirmed yourself a law-abiding citizen, it’s time to handle the on-site elements of your property. Check out the comprehensive list above to cover your essentials for every room.
Once the essentials are present, accounted for, and fully stocked - it’s time to attend to the non-essential but *very* difference-making elements. These are the extra care-taking touches that make strangers feel warm and welcome in your space.
A chalkboard in the entryway welcoming your guests by name
A guest book open to the next blank page where they can share their experience
A thoughtful guide for local activities/attractions/restaurants/shops
A small token of appreciation for their stay - like fresh-cut flowers, baked goods, a bubbly beverage, or a plush pet bed in the living room for their canine companion
And something our guests have really loved is our digital guest book, which helps them communicate with us more effectively, find out what restaurants and attractions are nearby, and more. For this, we use RueBaRue, but there are other similar platforms like Touchstay as well.
Trust that the “little things” aren’t so little when it comes to your guest’s experience.
3.) LISTING TITLE, AMENITIES, AND PHOTOS
Of course YOU know your place is great. You’ve seen it with your own eyes countless times. You know it’s clean, well-kept and stylishly furnished. But you potential first-time guests can only judge your space by the virtual descriptions, quality of photos, and existing reviews. Btw, photos along with reviews rank as the #1 factor affecting booking conversion rates. It’s like being on a dating app - you have a massive advantage if you’re a skilled self-marketer lol. But just like the world of dating apps, whatever you say about yourself - or in this case, you property - HAS TO BE TRUE. Because if they agree to that first date/book your place, but when they walk in the door immediately feel as thought they’ve fallen victim to a deceitful bait and switch - trust that not only will they never come back, they’ll advise everyone they know against staying with you….or dating you.
So first: MAKE YOUR PLACE GREAT IRL
Then: MAKE YOUR ONLINE LISTING GREAT
Make sure you have a compelling listing title and a description that accurately conveys all of that greatness. Highlight unique amenities, proximity to cool local sights, show off those new appliances or hardwood floors, and help people see themselves there. You’re not boasting the “additional outdoor seating” - you’re inviting them to curl up and swing softly in that plush outdoor egg chair while reading their favorite novel and sipping a fresh cup of coffee. It’s not about the space itself, it’s about how the space serves THEM - time with their family, their much-needed R&R, their temporary escape from the day-to-day minutia.
And we cannot stress enough the importance of high-quality photos!!! Use the portrait setting on your phone to highlight unique features, use the panoramic setting to capture a wider expanse of your larger rooms, be cognizant of angles, use lighting to your advantage. And if you’re just not a natural-born Ansel Adams, hire a professional photographer to take some great shots of your place. Specifically, research local real estate photographers who you can pay by the hour.
4.) PRICING YOUR PROPERTY
Many new AirBnB hosts stress hard on this part, and rightfully so. Figuring out what to charge can be tricky - with several variables to consider.
Your first move, however, should always be to do competitive research. Look at comparable AirBnB listings in your same area and see what they are charging. Start with the more obvious factors like: property size, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, recent renovations, new appliances, proximity to major attractions, and seasonality (tourism high/low seasons).
Then move on to less obvious factors: Is it walkable to a good grocery store or a nice coffee shop? Is it good for families because it's in a safe, quiet neighborhood? Think about your ideal guests - what thing would surprise and delight them that would tip the scale in your favor and win you the booking? Then make sure that is clear in the listing, but also reflected in the price.
…and if this feels like a lot of research, check out AirBnB pricing tool platforms like Wheelhouse and PriceLabs who have already done the heavy lifting for you :)
A word of warning: There has been a fair amount of negative press about AirBnB's hidden fees in the last few years, so make sure to be up front about any additional fees you charge - cleaning fees, pet fees, late check out fees, etc… You never want a guest to be surprised at their total cost or when you send them a request post-stay to cover additional incurred fees.
5.) ASSEMBLE A TOP TIER TEAM
Depending on how many properties you have and how much time you have to put into them, you may be able to handle the necessary upkeep on your own. And in our opinion - this is ideal. Being nearby your AirBnB means you can probably do a lot yourself and save a lot of money. But if that’s not possible, do yourself a BIG favor and try to be realistic about your own resources (time, money, energy).
Are you handy enough to fix a running toilet, a non-working fireplace, or a broken garage door? If you’re not Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor, you can always find a local handyman to be on-call during guest stays.
Maybe you’re great with communication and can be available to answer guest messages 24/7/365. Or maybe you’d be better off with a virtual assistant handling things like guest communication and billing issues.
Maybe you’re a whiz at turning your place over between guests in only a few hours. But if you’re not one of Sleeping Beauty's Fairy God Mothers, don't sweat it. Just get yourself a local housekeeper who can clean up and restock supplies as-needed.
And if you just said to yourself “Yeahhh, none of those things are my forte", don't worry - you’re in good company. Most people aren’t Jacks/Jills of all trades. That’s why property management services like ours exist. We’ve made it our business to be masters of the AirBnB space because we know exactly how much is involved and how stressful it can get.
Holler for any more help you may need! We're here to serve.