In this post, I’m going to talk about how to host successfully on Airbnb. Hosting on Airbnb, owning investment properties, and building ADU’s changed my life and I’m so incredibly passionate about teaching others how to do it.
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I started hosting on Airbnb September 2021 after a failed attempt at long-term tenant renting in a property I own in Los Angeles. My husband and I completed renovations on the property in 2019 and since then had high tenant turnover because of the dense neighborhood the house was located in. Rather than listing again for long term tenants, I decided to turn it into an Airbnb.
I didn’t want to try Airbnb for many years and dismissed it as too much work, too much investment upfront, and too many variables. I had lots of anxieties running through my head:
- What if the guests steal from me?
- What if they trash the place?
- What if they decide to squat?
- And the biggest one yet, who is going to come and stay in XYZ location?
These fears were completely unfounded, not only because I’ve had the most amazing experience with my guests, but also because I’ve been an Airbnb user and guest since 2013 and I’d never, ever think about doing that to someone’s house. So we decided to go all in and never looked back.
We’re now Airbnb hosts with multiple listings: we own and manage 7 Airbnbs in Los Angeles County and became Superhost four months after starting! Hosting on Airbnb doubled (sometimes tripled) our income in each property and allowed us to double down on our design and home decor skills.
We’re able to travel the world (yay passive income!) because we rent our primary house during our travels – the mortgage pays for itself. These past two years we’ve learned a ton about what makes a listing desirable so I’m here to help you increase your bookings and become a hosting superstar with raving reviews! Let’s get started!
Crafting the Perfect Listing
I’ve learned that the foundation of a successful Airbnb hosting experience starts with your listing. Start by ensuring that your photos showcase your space in the best light – literally. Good lighting can transform a room, making it look warm and welcoming.
Pro tip: Hire a Photographer, they’re worth every penny.
Complement your visuals with a narrative that tells a story about your home. Describe unique features, the comfortable bed, or the balcony with a view that guests can look forward to. I always mention that my listings are recently renovated – guests love staying in new places and helps me stand out in my neighborhood.
Accuracy in your listing description is so important! This way, there’s no mismatched expectations and can help ward off negative reviews. Additionally, highlight your neighborhood – what charming café is around the corner, best places to eat, what are you close to. Local tips help guests picture their stay beyond just the property itself.
You should also outline clear and succinct house rules in your listing. This way, guests know what’s expected right from the start and they respect your house. Interaction with guests often begins with the listing – so make sure your listing looks as clean and cozy as possible. This often speaks of the exceptional hospitality that awaits them.
Read about the Airbnb Essentials List to get your place up and running quickly.
Pricing Strategies That Work
In my experience as an Airbnb host, I learned that savvy pricing sets the foundation for how to host successfully on Airbnb. In the beginning I would price to be competitive with the surrounding listings, as my reviews started rising, I slowly increased my pricing. I saw the value I was bringing to the Airbnb Marketplace: my listings were newer and nicely decorated with great amenities.
Pro tip: Always size up your competition! Once a month I look at the listings around me and I look at their decor, amenities, pricing, and reviews.
Guests are always looking for value and you can create value with pricing and with amenities, I chose the latter. Crafting a competitive pricing strategy requires attention to detail and an awareness of varying market forces and seasons. Summertime is great for my listings as many people are on vacation.
Location is a primary factor in my pricing decisions. Properties in high-demand areas (usually closer to tourist attractions and metros) can command higher prices, especially during peak tourist seasons. On the flip side, I sometimes adjust rates for listings in quieter neighborhoods to attract more bookings.
Pro Tip: To maximize occupancy, I give generous weekly, monthly and last minute bookings.
Another pro tip: Local events are great opportunities for pricing increase!
A city hosting a major conference, sports event, or music festival will see a spike in demand. I keep my finger on the pulse of community happenings and make sure my pricing reflects these transient boosts in demand.
Ultimately, a flexible yet strategic pricing approach leads to a win-win scenario: guests feel they receive value for their money and I maintain a profitable and thriving Airbnb portfolio. By remaining responsive to the ebb and flow of market dynamics, I ensure my listings remain competitive year-round and I’m able to host successfully on Airbnb!
I’ve heard from so many people that travel is slowing down due to a potential recession. It’s all about being flexible, ensuring your pricing matches the current economic state, and attracting different types of travelers. For example, I’m trying to attract the “work-from-home” and anywhere workforce by offering great weekly and monthly discounts. This is like a mid-term rental.
I review my listings’ calendar once a week either to reduce pricing or increase it depending on seasons and if my calendar looks empty. This ensures me consistent 80% or more occupancy.
The Guest Experience Journey
Guest experience is the cornerstone of my Airbnb hosting success, after all, it’s a hospitality business. I love it when I stay at local “mom-and-pop” Airbnb because I support their business and all other local businesses. That’s why I have a list of local recommendations for my guests.
I always respond to any guest booking inquiry within 24 hours and try to be super helpful with my answers when they have questions about the property.
To ensure a memorable stay for my guests, I follow a meticulous approach that begins the moment a booking is confirmed. First, I send a friendly welcome message (automated) thanking them for booking with us and looking forward to hosting them.
Next, I prepare the listing for their arrival. I ensure every corner is clean, every amenity is functioning perfectly, and all towels and toiletries are stocked up. My attention to these details makes for happy guests and lets them know that I value their comfort and happiness.
Pro Tip: Make use of Airbnb’s scheduled message system. I use it to send the following messages:
- Message immediately after booking is confirmed
- Message on the day of check-in with check in instructions and wishing them a wonderful stay
- Message on the last day of the stay with checkout instructions, thanking them for staying with us, and wishing them safe travels
During their stay, I remain accessible, responding quickly to inquiries or issues. It really helps that I live within 10 minutes to all my listings and I have a list of handymen who can help me figure something out when I can’t. I also have a great property manager and cleaning crew who help me keep my properties in tip top condition while I’m away on vacation.
This attentiveness showcases my commitment to guest satisfaction and guests do notice. The majority of my positive reviews always include a note of host attentiveness and prompt communication.
I have my phone literally glued to my hand, so I always know when an Airbnb message comes through, even on vacation. I know! This isn’t great. I’m really working on it. Setting systems is the hardest thing but something I’m actively working on.
Finally, after their departure, I give them a heartfelt thank-you message. This not only shows gratitude for choosing my listing but also encourages them to share their experience with an Airbnb review. Consistent excellence in these steps were instrumental in receiving glowing reviews, cultivating a thriving Airbnb presence, becoming and maintaining Superhost status.
Leveraging Guest Feedback
After the guests’ stay is over, there is a review period for both guest and host. I listen closely to what my guests share about their stay because their comments are feedback for constant improvement. Their experience staying at my listings might be very different from mine.
Fun fact: I’ve lived at almost all of my listings. I’d buy a house, renovate it, then lease it out to long-term tenants or put it up on Airbnb. I’m actually writing from my own personal house that I rent on Airbnb when I’m traveling.I’ve been able to host it successfully on Airbnb!
I take notes from each review and work on actionable items, be it upgrading amenities or tweaking my communication style. My response to guest comments and feedback is always prompt, personal, and positive. This approach demonstrates that I value their input and am committed to making their next stay even better.
Implementing changes based on guest suggestions not only enhances satisfaction for future visitors but also often leads to glowing reviews, which are vital for my reputation as a host.
During guest stay, if they report an issue, I act immediately and then follow up to assure them it’s fixed. This shows I take their comfort seriously. I’ve had many glowing reviews commending me for being a responsive host.
Guest feedback isn’t just about correcting flaws—it’s about continuous growth as a host and providing a stellar experience every time. Keeping this feedback loop open and dynamic ensures my Airbnb listings stay top-of-mind and top-rated.
Future-Proofing Your Airbnb Business
To stay ahead in the competitive market and be able to host successfully on Airbnb, I constantly adapt to emerging trends in the economy, job changes, and even social media. By doing so, it allows me to provide a place that attracts people.
For instance, I stay abreast of travel patterns and preferences by analyzing travel patterns, which enables me to tailor my offerings to what travelers are currently seeking. Embracing the digital world is another strategy; I use smart locks for hassle-free self-check-ins and use automated messaging systems for guest communication before, during, and after their stays.
Most guests nowadays don’t want to be bothered with face-to-face interactions or constant texting. They just want a clean place to stay during their travels. I offer a very off-hands experience but I’m available when they need me.
The Next Chapter in Successfully Hosting on Airbnb
I’ve shared my insights and tips with you, highlighting the steps on how to host successfully on Airbnb. Markets shift all the time and guest expectations change so always be flexible and stay current with travel trends. Right now I’m leaning heavily on work-from-home and even local folks who are looking for longer-than-a-week stay. They might be relocating, or waiting for their new apartment or house to be move-in ready.
As travel behaviors change, I adjust my cancellation and refund policies to accommodate the uncertain nature of modern travel. This always rewards me with excellent guest experiences. No one wants to fight over a cancellation policy. I really hate it when hotels are non-refundable in the face of an emergency.
Finally, staying informed about hosting regulations and maintaining compliance ensures I operate legally while providing top-notch service, reinforcing my commitment to excellence in hosting. Always review your city’s short-term rental policies to ensure you’re in compliance and paying any dues.
That’s it on how to host successfully on Airbnb. I really hope these strategies helped you decide to start hosting on Airbnb! And if you do, it’ll mean the world to me if you use my sign up link to get started! As soon as you sign up, send me a message here or on Airbnb and I can help you with any questions.
As always, I welcome any feedback and comments.
Happy hosting!
