Airbnb has taken the world by storm. At any one time, there are over seven million Airbnb properties listed in over 100,000 cities and 220 countries.
These figures are hardly surprising when one compares the benefits of hosting to other investments – the flexibility of being able to use your property when you want, Airbnb’s insurance coverage and property protection services and the ability to adjust pricing to exploit peak periods are just a few of the advantages Airbnb hosting offers.
We asked Superhost Ian Harris, who has managed an Airbnb in Queensland’s Gold Coast region since 2016, for some tips on how new hosts can position their properties for success, build a brand and deliver a satisfying Airbnb experience with every single booking.
Power of presentation
Initially, Ian recalls, he and his wife tried to manage their Airbnb listing themselves but soon became overwhelmed.
“We both had full-time jobs so trying to wash linen, vacuum and maintain the property was just not viable,” he said.
“A full-service management company like Oasis Stay literally takes the stress out of hosting an Airbnb. I wish we had known about it earlier because, in the early days, we got a bad review just because a guest found a chocolate wrapper under the couch. Small oversights like that can have a huge impact on your Airbnb profile. We leave it to the professionals now!”
Stand out from the competition
According to Ian, the key to attracting guests is to make your listing pop. “When we first started hosting, we quickly learned the lesson that our online Airbnb listing was the key factor in attracting guests. Comparable properties in our location were consistently booked out and we realised that we were letting ourselves down by not adequately highlighting our home’s best features.”
“Our property is surrounded by transport options, walking distance to restaurants and entertainment, and it also has ramp access, which is perfect for wheelchairs or people with mobility issues, so we promote these amenities. We have since added other unique selling points like a Tesla fast charger.”
“We also discovered the power of having professional photos taken to showcase the property and make it stand out from the competition.”
Oasis Stay understands the importance of showing properties off to the best advantage which is why we offer Airbnb photography and staging services. These services complement our housekeeping, property management and maintenance services to ensure our hosts are getting the most benefit from their listing.
Extra touches
Whether your property is at the high end of the market or a more modest home, supplying extras above the basic necessities can go a long way to increasing guest satisfaction.
Simple and affordable luxuries such as toiletries, quality towels and linen, a chocolate on the pillow, are remembered and appreciated by guests and are the little extras that encourage return custom.
“We find that guests really appreciate our welcome pack which includes thoughtful things like instructions on how to turn on the TV and Wi-Fi,” Ian explained. “The pack includes a short note wishing them a comfortable stay and also provides emergency phone numbers so we can respond to any issues before they become negative feedback.”
“This really paid off when a water pipe broke and started leaking water during a guest’s stay. Fortunately, we were able to respond quickly to avoid any disruption to their stay. Our guests understood that accidents happen and appreciated our responsiveness, giving us kudos for our commitment to ensure their comfort in their feedback.”
Pricing
Whilst money is important to most hosts, Ian stresses that it shouldn’t be the biggest driver. “There is no point in pricing yourself out of competition for a few dollars,” he says. “It is better to price your listing just below the competition and stay fully booked rather than sit vacant, even for a night. We offer significant discounts for guests staying a week or longer as this reduces the need for cleaning and maintenance costs, so it is a win-win situation.”
Feedback and Reviews
Ultimately, what guests say about you, your communication and your property will be the best (or worst) advertisement for future guests.
By focusing on these areas, you can create a successful and rewarding Airbnb hosting experience that generates positive reviews, enhances the chance of return visits, drives bookings and boosts your hosting income.
Oasis Stay is the industry expert in Airbnb property. As Ian says, “We could spend our energies and time cleaning and maintaining our Airbnb but that just wouldn’t make good economical sense. We can just build the cost of these into our pricing and leave the hard work to Oasis Stay. They take care of the property management, housekeeping and maintenance whilst we sit back knowing that our property is in good hands.”
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Airbnb hosting can be a time-intensive and difficult process if you’re handling it on your own, so why not let the experts help? With Airbnb hosting management in Melbourne, Hobart, and the majority of Australia’s most popular areas, Oasis Stay is here to assist you. If you are interested in finding out more about Oasis Stay’s Airbnb property management and maintenance services, give us a call on 0401 832 431 or drop us a line to [email protected].
