How to make your Airbnb property stand out

If you own a property or have thought about investing, Airbnb has probably crossed your mind. Renting a room or an entire house to travellers and people needing short-term accommodation.

Some homeowners are making a bit of extra pocket money, while others are creating positive cash flow businesses. Though it isn’t 100% passive (you must keep the house clean and tidy for good, online reviews), it’s a great way to diversify your income.

How it works: List it, set price, communicate & greet guests.

The great thing about Airbnb is that you set your price. The guest never knows how much others have paid in the past and you have complete control over increasing the nightly rate. For example, you might do this if the situation changes with your long-term tenants and you want to rent out the whole house on Airbnb. You might be able to charge more than what you would for permanent guests (to cover the potential inconsistency of Airbnb guests).

To get started, visit Airbnb and ‘become a host.’ Describe and list your space, specifying the property type (apartment or house), room type (entire home or apartment, private room or shared room), the number of people it accommodates, and your location.

Hit ‘create listing’ and ‘new to Airbnb’, where you’ll sign up and be provided with a calculation of the amount of income you can receive (based on the details you’ve entered). Follow ‘get started as a host’ and enter all the key details people need to know – number of beds, description of space, amenities list, and how to get there.

You can either set your listing to accept guests instantly or review each request within 24 hours. Edit your calendar settings to determine when and the length your guest’s stay. Then, once a booking has been made, you’ll get a message. It’s as easy as that.

When you’re projecting cash flow, don’t forget Airbnb deducts a 3% host service fee per booking.

**Travellers want a local, authentic experience.**

With more people seeing the wealth potential with Airbnb, it’s getting harder to make a property stand out. So, remember, guests want the human connection. That’s why they’re on Airbnb in the first place. This is something hotels can’t provide.

If you can be there when they arrive, it adds that personal touch. Make it easy for them to get the key, without having to hunt around your property to find where it’s hidden.

The more unique and friendly you can make your home, the better. Go that one step further. As your guests have paid for a room (or house), add a few special touches. More positive reviews means more people seeing recommendations to choose your property. For example, investing in a professional cleaning service to tidy up the space after every booking.

It’s important for hosts to be disciplined and treat the process seriously. Plan for expenses, too – Airbnb service fee, new linen and furniture, strata management fees, plus possible wear and tear

Get a few people to help you out, like someone to do the greetings and ‘admin’ stuff. Embrace management tools like Google Calendar and synchronise your Airbnb bookings to keep track of everything.