(Credit to Bauer Media “Yours” Magazine August 18th 2016 Edition)
Turn your home into a money-spinner when you’re not there – it’s so simple!
After reading about the benefits of the share economy, you may have decided you like to put all or part of your property up for rent – but where do you start?
Airbnb (Airbnb.com.au) is a crowd-sourced website that allows you to rent out entire house and spare rooms for others to stay in, and it’s rapidly becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing accommodation markets. “Being a host is a terrific way to break into the share economy”, says the account director at property management company “Host my Bnb”. If you want to know how to be a superb host, renting out a space can be quite lucrative.”
Unsure how you gain “Airbnb super host” status? Here are a few helpful pointers…
Treat it like a business
If you’re using Airbnb as a source of income, treat the arrangement like your business. Once you’ve set up an account, decide how much you’d like to charge, based on your area, the time of year and the prices of nearby listings. Airbnb will recommend a listing price, but the ultimate decision is up to you. Once you’ve set your price, Airbnb will give you the option to include extra charges such as cleaning fees, security deposits and weekend rates – but Hostmybnb recommends trying to include a few freebies, if you can afford to, so your guests feel like they’re getting a real deal. “Providing free wi-fi, for example, enhances the guest experience”, Hostmybnb says. “You could give them a welcome gift, like a map or a bottle of wine. Extra little touches make practical sense for travellers and can go a really long way to earning a positive review.”
Choose the right photos
Photos that make the Airbnb look inviting are essential to make your listing standout. It will turn browsers into buyers and increase your overall number of bookings.
“Your main image has to be the one that draws people in, because most only have a few seconds to go through every listing, “ Hostmybnb says. Ideally, it should be clear and bright, showing off the personality of your property. It needs to hook potential guests and have one main focus. Even if you have a passion for photography, Hostmybnb says it’s best to leave this to the experts. Airbnb can offer the service of a professional photographer at no cost to you (search “request photography” in the Help section). “The only problem is you won’t be able to keep the originals, and you can’t use them to other sites.
Share any special details
When writing your description, provide as much details as you can in a friendly and conversational tone. You don’t need to be a professional writer to get your message across – it just needs to be honest and describe the most important aspects of your place. Write about what makes it so special, and remember you could be talking to international guests who don’t know the area well. “If you want to say you’re located in Bondi, enhance it by saying ‘minutes from the beach’ or ‘best-value beach holiday home’. That way you’re not providing redundant information but adding value to your listing,
Pro Tip: If you’re still unsure what to write, a good tip is to look at nearby listings to see what they’ve written in their description. “All in all it’s got be personable, friendly and welcoming, “ Hostmybnb Says .
Show personality but not clutter
While it can be tempting to decorate your property according to your own taste and preferences, keep in mind that there’s a difference between showing personality and filling a space with personal items that others may consider kitsch. If you want to attract more guests, you have to appeal to all types of people, Hostmybnb says. When decorating your space, give it a universal charm by choosing neutral tones, and remove personal items such as clothing and toiletries. Replace family photos with local artwork to add a sense of place.” Even though travelers are happy to stay in your home, they don’t necessarily want to have to look at your family vacation photos or sleep in a room that’s adorned with memorabilia, he says.
Keep it clean
Airbnb uses star-rating system to assess the quality of your property. The idea is that you’ll earn positive reviews for providing excellent service and accommodation, which in turn increases the likelihood of receiving future reservations. Guests grade you on aspects of their stay, including cleanliness, communication and the overall experience they had. “Without a doubt, cleanliness is one of the more challenging aspects, but it’s still within your control,” says.Hostmybnb suggestsTo make your property shine, thoroughly clean the bathroom and kitchen, and pay special attention to smaller tasks such as paying attention to bookshelves, wiping mirrors and emptying bins. Hostmybnb says, “If you don’t want to do the cleaning, you can always add a cleaning fee to your listing and hire a professional like us to do it.
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