Airbnb has become increasingly popular with investors and property owners seeking to generate an income from a vacant property, and for good reason. Airbnb offers a more lucrative rental yield than long-term tenancies, particularly in popular tourist locations. This is unsurprising as short-stay guests look for an alternative to expensive hotel rooms which offer no self-catering or laundry options and far less space.
An increasing number of homeowners are drawn to host an Airbnb due to its flexibility, allowing them to continue using their property by blocking out dates when it is unavailable.
Whilst setting up an Airbnb is a straightforward process, Oasis Stay property management offers a wide range of services to assist in getting the most out of your Airbnb experience. If you are considering becoming an Airbnb host in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Hobart, Morning Peninsula or one of Queensland’s Airbnb hotspots like the Gold Coast and Surfers Paradise regions, Oasis Stay have the expertise to put you on the road to success.
Is setting up an Airbnb difficult?
Fear of the unknown may prevent some people from considering putting their homes on Airbnb, but with the help of an experienced Airbnb management provider, the process is quite simple:
- Create an Airbnb account
- Secure property management
- Prepare the property
- Upload photos and details
- Manage calendar availability
- Go live
Setting up an Airbnb account
Anyone who has created an account for eBay, a bank account or an online shop will be familiar with the process of creating an Airbnb account. As with many of these, an identity verification process must be followed to protect the integrity of your account. It is highly recommended that users also download the Airbnb app so they can respond quickly to property requests as they come in. Users will also need to fill out a range of personal information including bank account details for receiving payments.
Property management
Airbnb operates on a feedback rating system, similar to eBay. Guests will apply to you for the use of your home, outlining how many guests they are booking for and why they want to stay. Hosts are able to check past guest reviews to verify they are suitable before approving their applications.
Many Airbnb hosts start their journey managing their property themselves only to realise guest expectations for property presentation are beyond their ability to deliver. A single piece of paper left under a sofa can result in a negative review, which in turn can impact the interest in your property. Laundering linen, making beds and scrubbing showers can be time-consuming and onerous – quickly becoming a drain to hosts.
Securing a professional Australian property management service with local resources, like Oasis Stay, is the ideal way to market and maintain your property. They will provide scrupulous cleaning and presentation to ensure guests are delighted with your property and secure return business. The cost of property maintenance can be offset by the one-off cleaning fee which can be included in your Airbnb quote.
Property preparation and presentation
Guests visiting your property will expect all the amenities of the home including all kitchenware, laundry items, iron and ironing board, hair dryer and coat hangers. Your home should be free from all personal items – bare cupboards in bedrooms and bathrooms. For safety, all scissors and other dangerous items should be stored in high cupboards. There should be at least two sets of linen for each bed and towels for every guest. Generally, Airbnb charges per bed, so installing locks on bedroom doors avoids the prospect of one guest booking but six staying…
Simple things like a framed note on the kitchen table welcoming people to your home and giving them instructions on how to turn things on/off will be highly appreciated. Leave unopened sample packs of soap, shampoo and conditioner, as these simple touches make guests feel special. In the kitchen set aside an area with UHT milk, packets of sugar, tea and coffee. A coffee machine with a few complimentary pods is always appreciated. Use sugar sachets as they are more hygienic and avoid attracting ants.
A key lockbox with a code is a handy way to manage access to your home. A message can be sent to guests with the combination code and the code can be updated by Oasis Stay property managers at the end of each stay to ensure the security of the property is not compromised.
Airbnb styling and photography
It is likely your property may be competing against several similar properties in your area. Professional styling and photography are highly recommended to make your property stand out from the competition. Oasis Stay offers expert styling and photography services to ensure your property looks its best, both to attract guests and to achieve the best possible income. We will highlight the features that make your property special or unique, as these are highly prized by Airbnb guests.
Setting a price for your Airbnb listing
It can be a good idea to compare your property to similar homes in your location and, at least initially, slightly undercut their nightly rate. This is helpful when first hosting without reviews, allowing you to build your reputation and become a Superhost. Consider offering discounts for long-term stays of weeks or months. Long-term guests avoid regular cleaning and maintenance costs and are highly valued by hosts.
Managing the Airbnb guest calendar
Many hosts limit bookings to a two-night minimum to reduce the turnover of guests and leave an afternoon or day in between bookings to allow time for cleaning. When reviewing your Airbnb calendar, block off days or weeks when you may wish to use the property yourself.
Let’s talk
If you are looking to take the next step as an Airbnb host, contact Oasis Stay today to discuss our full range of professional services. We take the stress out of Airbnb property management and our personalised housekeeping and maintenance services along with specialised photography and styling can be the key to making your foray into Airbnb hosting satisfying, successful and financially rewarding.
