Smart Property Owner

21/08/2020

More changes ahead for Airbnb

Airbnb announced a global ban on parties and events listed on its platform in a bid to comply with Covid-19 health protocols. The San Francisco-based home-sharing company said the ban, which applies to future bookings, will limit occupancy to 16 people and will remain in effect indefinitely. Citing....

28/07/2020

19/06/2020

According to the CDC, 61 million Americans have a that impacts major life activities. That equates to one in every four U.S. adults. Making your home more to people with disabilities is a great way to be more inclusive. And given that fact that 2.5 million guests used at least one accessibility filter when searching on Airbnb in 2018, it can also make your side gig as a short term rental host a more profitable one. Best of all, making your rental property more accessible isn’t really as difficult as it may seem. Let’s a take a look at a few suggestions.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/4-ways-to-make-your-airbnb-more-accessible/

17/06/2020

Being a successful takes a good deal of work, from responding to inquiries to managing the check-in / check-out process, to marketing your property and more. This can get even more complicated when you’ve got multiple bookings scheduled. Ensuring that each new guest has everything they need for their stay is an essential part of delivering a 5-star experience. But keeping track of what’s missing or broken and what needs to be replaced or replenished can be challenging – especially if you’re managing your short term rental remotely.

This is where using an can be a game-changer. Not only will this prevent things from being overlooked, but having something formal to reference will help you or your representative stay organized and ahead of the game.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/why-you-need-an-inventory-checklist/

10/06/2020

I've been missing the good ole days…of just five months ago, when we could go to concerts, movies, vacations, and enjoy a simple hug from a friend. We are all trying to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, staying home and passing the time with TikToks. It's easy to lose many hours in the digital world.

When you finally take a break from your screens, as a host, there is plenty to think about. Making your home safe, comfortable and welcoming is among the most important. A well-designed home is about more than just aesthetics. It can enable you to charge a premium rate. But what if you’re on a tight budget or you don’t really have an eye for that kind of thing? Thankfully, there are plenty of hacks that are both easy to implement and surprisingly affordable. Here are a few of my personal recommendations, and a great way to pass the time while you’re helping stop the spread of COVID-19.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/7-simple-interior-design-tips-for-your-airbnb/

08/06/2020

There has been a lot of uncertainty these past few months about the future of and travel, and whether or not will even survive this pandemic. In 2019, a short term rental host could easily earn some passive, supplemental income.

Now, with COVID-19 impacting the world, are wondering if the market will rebound and bring travelers back to their Airbnbs, and passive income back into their pockets.

The fact is that people still want to travel and explore. RV rentals are up 1000% in some areas, as friends and families are looking at ways to safely travel and enjoy a vacation.

I predict Airbnbs will rebound faster than hotels and resorts, as a way to safely isolate at destinations within driving distance of people's homes. Hosts should be careful to follow cleaning guidelines for guests to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and also consider having at least 72 hours between bookings to allow for thorough cleaning and disinfection.

Being ready for when the travel market beings to rebound, and planning ahead to figure out just how much you can earn will depend on the amount of time and effort you put into being a good host. Do the bare minimum, and you’ll earn the bare minimum. Go above and beyond, and you’ll reap the financial benefits. The choice is yours, but if you want to boost your , here are four things I recommend doing:

http://smartpropertyowner.com/?p=2727&preview=true

22/05/2020

has become a part of our everyday lives, from depositing checks electronically to using the self-checkout at the grocery store. It’s even making its way into our homes, making our lives more connected than ever before. As a or , you can leverage the availability and affordability of smart technology to make your more appealing to , edging out the competition and maximizing occupancy. Here’s how:

http://smartpropertyowner.com/5-smart-technology-for-your-rental/

Smart technology has become a part of our everyday lives, from depositing checks electronically to using the self-checkout at the grocery store. It’s even making its way into our homes, making our lives more connected than ever before. As a short term rental host or long term landlord, you can

08/05/2020

I recently shared a post about how to handle situations in which a short term rental guest damages your property. But as with most things, in this case, the best defense is a good offense. In other words, if you can head these problems off at the pass, you won’t have to worry about dealing with the aftermath in the first place. That being said, here are five steps you can take to hopefully prevent guest damages and protect your investment.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/how-to-prevent-airbnb-damages/

06/05/2020

Picture this: your checkout is scheduled for 11am. You’ve got new guests arriving to check in at 3pm. Yet, it’s 2pm and your current guests are still dawdling around. How will you have enough time to get the place cleaned and adequately prepped for the incoming renters?

Late checkout may seem like no big deal to a vacationer. But to a short term rental host, unexpected delays like this can be incredibly frustrating. It can even impact the ability to deliver a 5-star experience.

Whether this is something you’ve struggled with in the past or you’re new to the business and are looking to avoid it, here are a few inside tips for managing and mastering the checkout experience.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/how-to-make-late-checkout-a-thing-of-the-past/

04/05/2020

Once you’ve been an for a decent amount of time, you’ll discover who your ideal is and – unfortunately – who is not. The good news is, as a host, you have the ability to be selective in who you rent to.
While you can’t outright discriminate, what you can do is look for certain attributes in your prospective guests. Doing so will help you w**d out and avoid guests that have the potential to become a headache. Here’s a few of the qualities that I look for when deciding whether or not I should accept a booking.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/5-signs-of-a-great-airbnb-guest/

01/05/2020

Interesting post by Beyond Pricing: What to Look Out for in Your Market for Recovery Key Indicators

01/05/2020

Ask any traveler what the most important accommodation is and a good night’s sleep will undoubtedly make the list. In fact, 55% of travelers say they specifically look for reviews that address sleep quality. The good news is, delivering an amazing sleep experience isn’t difficult, and it can really do wonders for helping your Airbnb listing stand out. Let’s take a look at a few ways you can give your guests a 5-star review-worthy night’s sleep.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/how-to-give-your-guests-an-amazing-sleep-experience/

29/04/2020

Avoid an Airbnb headache -- screen your guests in advance

When I first decided to start using my home as a short term rental, one thing that made me a bit uneasy was the idea of letting strangers stay into my personal space. What if they break something important? What if they cause problems with my neighbors? What if they leave the place looking like a disaster struck?

Thankfully, there are a number of ways to screen potential guests so you can feel more comfortable renting to them. For instance, most short term rental platforms like Airbnb, VRBO and Home Away allow hosts to read reviews from other former hosts.

In addition to guest reviews, here are a few other techniques I recommend to screen your guests before you commit to that booking.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/avoid-an-airbnb-headache-screen-your-guests-in-advance/

28/04/2020

New cleaning rules for Airbnb

And it released new cleaning guidelines.

27/04/2020

There are a lot of factors that go into running a successful short term rental. One of the main things, in terms of logistics, is keeping the place clean. This is especially important if you plan on renting to more than one party while you are away.

For instance, let’s say you decide to take a sabbatical overseas for a month or two. During this time, you’ll want to maximize occupancy as possible, which likely means several bookings by multiple different guests.

To keep things running smoothly, you’ll need to hire someone (either a single individual or a cleaning service) to manage the housekeeping in between guests. If you’re not sure where to begin, here’s what I recommend.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/keeping-your-airbnb-clean-tips-for-hiring-an-airbnb-maid/

24/04/2020

Close your eyes for a moment and envision the perfect Airbnb guest. Is it a businessperson who is just visiting town for a conference? A family that you’d love to see experience some of the great sites and attractions nearby? A young couple experiencing new places together?

Whomever it is you consider your ideal guest, there are certain measures you can take that will help you attract more of those types of renters. Below, I’ve broken down a few of the more popular guest types and what you can to do tailor your Airbnb to their unique needs.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/how-to-attract-your-ideal-airbnb-guest/

23/04/2020

The home-rental company defined the travel industry after the last cataclysm, but may be less suited for what’s next.

22/04/2020

Renting out your primary residence on a site like Airbnb can be a great way to make a little passive income while you’re traveling. But in order to maximize occupancy, you have to make your listing stand out. One way to do so is to make your space more eco-friendly. Not only will doing so attract eco-friendly, environmentally-conscious guests, but it’ll also enable you, as a short term rental host, to play a more positive role in preserving and protecting our planet’s resources.

If this is something you’re interested in doing, the good news is, it won’t necessarily require any major investments. In fact, just a few small changes can do a world of difference (literally). Let’s take a look at five simple strategies for making your Airbnb more eco-friendly.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/5-simple-steps-to-make-your-eco-friendly-airbnb/

20/04/2020

Google “Airbnb host” and you’ll undoubtedly get pages upon pages of articles giving you advice on what you should do. What’s not as widely shared, however, are the things you shouldn’t do as a short term rental host.

The good news is, sites like Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO have been around for several years now, which means there are hosts (like me) who have been doing this for a long time. Let’s just say there have been plenty of mistakes made along the way – mistakes that you can learn from and avoid. Here are a few “don’ts” that can help save you time, money and aggravation.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/thinking-of-becoming-an-airbnb-host-heres-what-not-to-do/

17/04/2020

The ultimate goal of turning your primary residence into a short term rental property is to make money. Increasing your nightly Airbnbs rate can help to instantly boost your profits, but you have to be strategic about it. Raise your price too high or at the wrong time, and it could actually backfire, costing you bookings and impacting your bottom line. In my experience as an Airbnb host, I’ve been able to successfully bring my rates up multiple times and still maximize occupancy. Here’s how you can do the same with yours.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/how-to-optimize-your-airbnb-rates/

15/04/2020

One of the best things about having a short term rental in today’s day and age is that technology has made managing the entire process much easier and more efficient. In fact, thanks to outsourcing and digital tools, it’s now entirely possible to manage your Airbnb rental remotely from anywhere in the world. That being said, when you’re only renting out your home occasionally, as opposed to year-round, it can be challenging to keep up with what’s changed in the industry as well as what guests want, need and expect.

To eliminate some of the guesswork, here are a few tips from my own personal experience of how to manage your Airbnb.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/5-strategies-to-manage-your-airbnb-from-anywhere/

13/04/2020

One of the trickiest parts of being a short term rental host is figuring out what to do with your personal items. Unlike a year-round vacation property, renting your home only a few times a year means that it’s lived in. You can’t exactly pack up everything that matters to you and bring it with you every time you’ve got an Airbnb guest coming. What you can do, however, is take a few proactive measures to create a great guest experience while keeping your valuables and other sentimental items safe from harm.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/what-to-do-with-your-personal-items/

10/04/2020

Turning your primary residence into a short term rental property while you’re traveling or visiting friends is a great way to make some extra cash. If you’re creative enough, you can bring those profits even higher by offering some revenue-boosting extras. Your guests will appreciate the gesture and you’ll have the opportunity to put some additional money in your pocket with an Airbnb perk. Sound good? Here are a few add-on ideas that are super easy and highly profitable.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/5-airbnb-perks-guests-will-pay-extra-for/

Turning your primary residence into a short term rental property while you’re traveling or visiting friends is a great way to make some extra cash. If you’re creative enough, you can bring those profits even higher by offering some revenue-boosting extras. Your guests will appreciate the gesture...

09/04/2020

As many of us are sheltering at home during COVID-19, we are wondering how we can help the hospital workers who are fighting to save our loved ones and friends, putting their lives at risk every day. Everyone is struggling with heightened emotions, feeling helpless, and wondering how we can help during COVID-19. Here are a few ways that you can immediately help.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/help-during-covid-19/

31/03/2020

Today, sent out an email to acknowledging their failure to support hosts through this crisis, and their steps to help now, including a relief fund:

https://www.airbnb.com/d/host-message

Answering your top questions and announcing some important initiatives for our community

31/03/2020

Worried about how you're going to pay your rent during the pandemic? Even with some states and counties talking about an , that doesn't solve the problem of how to come up with your rent, and how you will pay back your Landlord to get up to date on your payments to prevent an eviction down the road.

Here are a few tips on how to engage your landlord with subletting your apartment on Airbnb until you can get back on your feet:

http://smartpropertyowner.com/how-to-sublet-your-apartment-on-airbnb/

26/03/2020

One of the most common questions weighing on the minds of short term rental hosts is, “How can I get more bookings?” And these days with the pandemic, it may be, "How can I get ANY bookings?"

After all, the more time you’ve got your Airbnb booked, the more money you make. I’ve already shared a few ideas for maximizing occupancy, but since I’m certainly not the only host who’s doing well at this, I thought it might be beneficial to do some research and see what other successful short term rental hosts had to say. Here’s what I discovered.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/airbnb-experts-share-their-top-9-tips-for-maximizing-bookings/

25/03/2020

that has meant for hosts, however, is higher competition. As a result, many owners – especially those located in popular tourist areas – struggle to maintain high occupancy rates. As a short term rental host, you want to maximize your bookings while you’re away, otherwise it’s not worth the investment. And right now, during the coronavirus pandemic, your Airbnb calendar is probably really hurting for bookings. Here are a few ways to improve your Airbnb occupancy rate and maximize your ROI.

http://smartpropertyowner.com/5-ways-to-keep-your-airbnb-calendar-full/

24/03/2020

As an , maximizing occupancy is one of your top priorities. Unfortunately, not every guest will be welcome. I’m talking, of course, about those invasive, creepy crawlers that once they arrive, are seemingly impossible to evict: bed bugs.

I know, I know…you’re probably getting itchy as you read this. But as squeamish as it may make us, it’s a topic all vacation hosts must consider – especially short term rental hosts. The last thing you want is to come home to an infestation. And while it’s not possible to completely prevent guests from bringing along unwanted hitch-hikers, there are things you can do to minimize your risk.

Here’s what I recommend to prevent :

http://smartpropertyowner.com/?p=2628&preview=true