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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Real Estate and Landlording => Topic started by: freeazabird on November 21, 2016, 12:20:30 PM

Title: airbnb
Post by: freeazabird on November 21, 2016, 12:20:30 PM
Anyone make money through Airbnb? What advice do you have for doing Airbnb?
Title: Re: airbnb
Post by: LadyStache in Baja on November 21, 2016, 02:31:46 PM
Yep, love it.  I also have my listing on vrbo.

It's important to have really nice pictures.  It's definitely helpful to have two sets of linens and towels, to make turnover easier on you. 

It's super important to respond quickly to every inquiry, even if you just need to say, No, sorry, our apartment is for 2 people, not 5.  (People don't always read the listings very well).

Also, in the beginning I spent a lot of time answering lots and lots of questions and trying to turn maybes into yeses.  It's a waste of time.  Some people send out inquiries to several properties.  And the tougher somebody is to book, the more likely they'll be high maintenance as tenants. 

Oh, and spend a lot of time checking out the listings in your area to settle on a fair price.  Then, when you start, go even lower than that fair price.  This will help you get some bookings early on, and you'll be more likely to get great reviews since people are impressed.  Once you build up 5-10 glowing reviews (on each platform), you can raise your price.
Title: Re: airbnb
Post by: freeazabird on November 27, 2016, 08:52:03 PM
Thanks. This is very helpful advice
Title: Re: airbnb
Post by: expatartist on November 27, 2016, 11:14:36 PM
the tougher somebody is to book, the more likely they'll be high maintenance as tenants.

Yep. Since I have 2 listings in a high demand city I can afford to be picky. If someone gives a hint of being a pain, I hit 'decline' straight away and find some reason why I declined it: say I only accept guests with reviews, or friends are staying that weekend and I forgot to block it out. My first reservation had a brand new profile. She sent 50 messages before arriving. She tried to bargain on the price for a 2-night reservation, wanted her friend to stay in a room designed for 1 person, wanted a workaround for the AirBnB fees, stole a hand towel, etc. Naturally, she couldn't be bothered to leave a review - better than leaving a bad one I suppose.
Title: Re: airbnb
Post by: LadyStache in Baja on November 28, 2016, 07:40:24 AM
expatartist, ugh, that sounds awful.  I had a guest that emailed back and forth for a month before she even booked.  It was a 6 week reservation.  So then when she arrived, and surprise, wasn't right for her (despite all of her complaints being things I had told her ahead of time), I stupidly refunded her money and was left with a six-week vacancy.  :( 

ha ha, it's ok, it's how you learn the business.  oh yeah, forums are great for getting advice for people who have experience.