Happy Host Rental Management

01/08/2020

01/05/2020

Tip # 4--- Extra Communication

In each tip, I try to emphasize an essential part of the hosting process. Extra emails and/or phone calls are a lot of work, but they pay off for you as a host. Airbnb sends some messages on your behalf, but personalized notes that are based on the information provided by the guests add a special touch.

Consider the difference between a short message giving the necessary information for access to the property with a series of messages. There is a vast difference.

We send a minimum of three personalized messages. And if the booking is a week or more away, that number goes up.

For example:
Message #1 - A thank you for booking the property. “We are excited to have you visit.” Plus all the essential information they need to know such as directions, and local places to shop, restaurants, and attractions;
Message #2 - The day before guests arrive. Ask if the directions provided are clear;
Message #3 - A thank you note just after they leave;
Message #4 - Just before the end of the review period, if they have not left a review. Again, thanking them for the stay and mentioning the importance of reviews; and
Message #5 - We have had return visitors and referrals from messages which have thanked them for an earlier visit. Sometimes this is for a stay during a different season, or sometimes it is for a special event.

Of course, these messages take a lot of work, but they will increase your bookings and positive reviews. If you find it too time-consuming to send the messages, consider the services a professional management company like ours. It will be an excellent investment.

01/02/2020

12/18/2019

Tip # 3 --- Clear Directions
In each tip, I try to emphasize an important part of the hosting process. A lost guest becomes very frustrated and unhappy. And though you may feel the directions are good, they may not help someone unfamiliar with the area. Since I started as a host, my directions have become more detailed --- I would rather provide too much information instead of not enough. And although I include complete directions in the listing, I now send another complete set by the message system a day or two before the guest is scheduled to arrive.
Remember, your guests probably are unfamiliar with the area and they may be exhausted from travel. I used to get calls and messages as a person was driving because they had not looked at the directions in the listing. And a tired person can confuse North from South and right from left. So. I am now including a simple map.
I am also prepared to guide my guests by phone if needed. I have done it several times. First, I listen carefully to discover where they really are and then I start them in the correct direction and have them describe what they see as they drive. I then tell them whether to continue ahead or turn and continue this right up to the door.

12/08/2019

Tip # 2 --- Photos and Documentation are Important (Traducción en español abajo)

In tip #1, I emphasized the importance of photos to market your listing. But beyond those listing photos, you need another set. You need photos to document the condition of your property and to verify your inventory.

Most renters on Airbnb leave the property in excellent shape, but you occasionally encounter a problem. Photos can help prove the existing condition of the property and show the items that you included for use in the listing.

You should also keep receipts and documentation to show your investments in the property. If you ever submit a claim to a guest (or to Airbnb)for missing or damaged items, it is much more professional to include a receipt showing the purchase price and a photo showing the condition.

I take photos of every room, all the walls, the mirrors, the appliances, and all the inventory items. I also take photos of every receipt and keep all these photos in a computer file with backups. I can quickly show all the information I need to make a proper claim.

Here are some key points. Make an inventory of every item in the property and take photos of each item listed. Go through the property and take photos showing the condition of all rooms. Take photos of receipts of all items that you purchase. If you already have an article, find the item with a current price on the internet. Make sure that the price shows. Take a screenshot and keep it in your file.

And keep your photos and inventory list up to date.

Consejo # 2 --- Las fotos y la documentación son importantes
En el consejo # 1, enfaticé la importancia de las fotos para comercializar su listado. Pero más allá de las fotos de la lista, necesita otro conjunto. Necesita fotos para documentar el estado de su propiedad y para verificar su inventario.
La mayoría de los inquilinos en Airbnb dejan la propiedad en excelente estado, pero ocasionalmente encuentras un problema. Las fotos pueden ayudar a probar la condición existente de la propiedad y mostrar los elementos que incluyó para su uso en el listado.
También debe guardar los recibos y la documentación para mostrar sus inversiones en la propiedad. Si alguna vez presenta un reclamo a un invitado (o a Airbnb) por artículos faltantes o dañados, es mucho más profesional incluir un recibo que muestre el precio de compra y una foto que muestre la condición.
Tomo fotos de cada habitación, todas las paredes, los espejos, los electrodomésticos y todos los artículos del inventario. También tomo fotos de cada recibo y guardo todas estas fotos en un archivo de computadora con copias de seguridad. Puedo mostrar rápidamente toda la información que necesito para hacer un reclamo adecuado.
Aquí hay algunos puntos clave. Haga un inventario de cada artículo en la propiedad y tome fotos de cada artículo listado. Pase por la propiedad y tome fotos que muestren el estado de todas las habitaciones. Tome fotos de los recibos de todos los artículos que compre. Si ya tiene un artículo, busque el artículo con un precio actual en Internet. Asegúrese de que el precio se muestre. Tome una captura de pantalla y guárdela en su archivo.

Y mantenga sus fotos y lista de inventario actualizadas.

12/01/2019

Detectors for Smoke and Carbon Dioxide!

Do you have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and rental property?

I certainly hope that you do because December and January are the most dangerous months for carbon monoxide poisoning.

I recently stayed in an Airbnb rental, and I was appalled at all the listings which said, "The host hasn't reported smoke or carbon monoxide detectors on the property."

Almost exactly, one year ago a New York couple died in an Airbnb rental in Mexico. I found several other cases in the last year.

This should never happen. A new smoke and carbon dioxide detector costs less than $20 US. Then remember to change the batteries twice a year (daylight savings is an easy way to remember).

If you don't have detectors, please get them now. And if you are a guest, please do not stay in a rental without detectors.

11/27/2019

Tip # 1 --- Professional photos can increase your earnings by 40%.

One of the most important things you can do to help your listing is to have great, not just good, but great photos. If you want a successful business, you need to invest in the business. And your property, which you have listed on Airbnb or any other site, is a business.

It is surprising how many listings have poor photos. A good listing will have lots of great photos. They will emphasize the best features and capture the attention of potential guests.

Potential guests are looking at competing properties. And, they do not spend much time before deciding whether to move on or to look more closely. In today’s world, you have about 5 seconds to catch their attention. Your first photo has to be exceptional and very interesting.

Here are some key points:

They help you get more bookings
Data from Airbnb shows that listings with professional photos average 24% more bookings than others
They help you set a higher price
Data from Airbnb shows that listings with professional photos have rates that average 26% higher than listings that have average photos.
They showcase your home and help you stand out.
A professional photographer knows how to find the best angles, the best features, and the best lighting.
They increase your income
Data from Airbnb shows that professional photos can increase your earnings by 40% compared to listings with photos that you take yourself.
They appeal to the emotions of potential guests.
Normal photos show us a property. Great photos capture our emotions. Emotions are the reason we book a property or move on to another.
They catch the attention of Millennials.
Millennials spend a lot of time online, and your self-taken photos will not impress them. These 18 to 35-year-old guests already make up over half of the bookings on Airbnb. The 7 to 23 age group, Gen Z, is starting to book listings. In fact, Millennials and Gen Z will make about 75% of the bookings by 2025, according to an Airbnb study.

Managing a successful short-term rental listing is a lot of work and can be very stressful. It can be challenging to take great pictures for your property, but, but it is a necessity if you want to make the most income possible with your property.
If you are looking to maximize your rental income from your Airbnb listing, hiring a professional for your photos is essential.
There are many other challenges when listing your property as a short-term rental, and we will be providing more tips on a regular basis. Just follow us here on Facebook.

11/25/2019

Will this matter to you as a host? It may. Johnson has helped Airbnb with various regulatory disputes with city governments. If your local government is proposing rental rules and taxes, it is important that Airbnb find someone good for the COO position.

11/25/2019

Happy Host Rental Management is a new kind of property management company, specializing in the vacation rental market. As a professional co-host, we list your property on platforms like Airbnb, so you don’t have to. We offer a fully-managed service to find & communicate with your guests.
We use tech to increase the money you receive from your property and manage those properties efficiently and effectively. This means more money and less work for you.
Our services include listing preparation with professional photography, expert marketing, guest screening, 24/7 communications, check-in & guest support, and professional cleaning (toiletries, cleaning, and laundry).

Happy Host Rental Management es un nuevo tipo de empresa de administración de propiedades, especializada en el mercado de alquiler de vacaciones. Como coanfitrión profesional, enumeramos su propiedad en plataformas como Airbnb, para que no tenga que hacerlo. Ofrecemos un servicio totalmente administrado para encontrar y comunicarse con sus invitados.
Usamos tecnología para aumentar el dinero que recibe de su propiedad y administrar esas propiedades de manera eficiente y efectiva. Esto significa más dinero y menos trabajo para usted.
Nuestros servicios incluyen la preparación de listados con fotografía profesional, marketing experto, selección de invitados, comunicaciones las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana, check-in y soporte para invitados, y limpieza profesional (artículos de tocador, limpieza y lavandería).

11/19/2019

Want a getaway this weekend? Try https://www.airbnb.com.sg/rooms/16054794

Entire home/flat in Robertson, United States. You’ll love my place because of the spectacular views, wildlife, fishing, hiking and cozy cabin for your relaxation or for a romantic getaway. My p...