Congratulations! You are taking the first step toward becoming an Airbnb host and investing in your future! You may already have a space in mind or be considering purchasing a short-term rental investment property and getting started on Airbnb. Either way, there are definitely some fundamental questions to ask yourself at this stage in the game.
Let’s break it down step by step!
A Step By Step Guide To Getting Started On Airbnb
1: Research and Planning
Define Your Goals: Determine your objectives for hosting on Airbnb. Is it for extra income, sharing your space, or a business venture? Also, consider your time. How much time and energy can you personally invest?
Market Research: Explore popular Airbnb listings in your area to understand pricing, competition, and guest expectations. Are there a lot of hotels to compete with? Will you be able to attract guests all year long or just seasonally?
Legal Considerations: Check local regulations and zoning laws regarding short-term rentals. Some areas have restrictions or require permits. This includes specific HOA and Condo Association by-laws and declarations.
2: Choosing a Location
Select Your Location: Decide where you want to host on Airbnb. Consider proximity to attractions, transportation, and demand. I highly recommend you choose somewhere that you are familiar with. Being able to provide recommendations and answer questions will really set you apart. I experienced this firsthand on 30A. Also, can you get to your investment property easily? In my opinion, you should be laying eyes on your Airbnb at least once every 6 weeks. Consider choosing somewhere within a couple of hours of your primary residence.
Property Type: Choose between renting a room in your own home, a separate unit, or a property solely for Airbnb. Your choice will impact costs and management. You also want to consider your target market. For example, a large home that sleeps 20 sounds like a money maker. However, multifamily travel is usually limited to school holidays. All four of my Airbnbs sleep 2-4 people, allowing me to accommodate couples and families with young children who can travel all year.
3: Property Preparation
Property Upgrades: Make necessary repairs and improvements to enhance your property’s appeal. Focus on cleanliness, safety, functionality, and amenities.
Furnishing and Styling: Furnish your space with comfortable and functional items. Consider the style and theme you want to convey. My Airbnb Buying Guide includes everything you need to purchase, as well as design inspiration for your space. Remember to limit clutter, and functionality is key here!
Professional Photos: Invest in professional photography to showcase your property in the best light. However, avoid overselling and over-staging your Airbnb. You want everything shown in the photos to be included in your Airbnb. You want it to look exactly as it will when the guest arrives. Frankly, it’s better to have a guest walk in and think your place looks better than the photos than to walk in and be disappointed. Avoid trendy filters and edits on the listing photos. You can view my listing photos here. I am a photographer and took these myself.
Safety Measures: Install smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Ensure your property meets safety standards. I have my favorites linked here. Consider host protection insurance, and you will definitely need homeowner’s insurance to protect your property.
Cleaning Protocol: This step is very important! Often, your cleaning team serves as your eyes and ears on the ground. Make sure to choose a service provider that you work well with. Also, ask them what they prefer. For example, my cleaners prefer white towels and a duvet + duvet cover setup.
4: Setting Up Your Airbnb Account & Listing
Create an Airbnb Account: Sign up for an Airbnb host account using your email address or social media profiles. Fill out your host profile, including a personal description and a clear profile picture.
List Your Property: Provide detailed information about your property, including photos, pricing, and house rules. Open up your calendar, paying close attention to supply and demand. Consider a 4-night minimum stay. You can always lower it as dates get closer, but there is nothing worse than a bunch of one or two-night stays breaking up your calendar, preventing those ideal weeklong stays from booking. Also, choose a cancellation policy that suits your preferences and risk tolerance.
5: Guest Communication and Management
Respond Promptly: Be responsive to guest inquiries and messages. Quick communication can lead to positive reviews. Steal my welcome message and see how I like to communicate by reading that post!
Check-In and Check-Out Process: Streamline the guest arrival and departure process, providing clear instructions.
House Rules: Establish clear house rules for guests regarding smoking, pets, parties, and other expectations.
Guest Interaction: Be respectful and accommodating while maintaining boundaries with guests. I personally ask all guests to communicate with me solely through Airbnb. I have systems in place to ensure I don’t miss a message. Allowing them to contact you via text can lead to a lot of extra stress.
6: Analyze, Adjust and Grow
Review Performance: Continually analyze your hosting performance, including occupancy rates, income, and guest feedback.
Adjust Your Strategy: Make necessary changes to your pricing, property, or hosting approach based on feedback and data.
Grow Your Business: I was able to quickly grow my Airbnb from one condo to four in a matter of three years. I was able to scale up because I reinvested all of my profits and streamlined my workflow. You’ll know when the time is right to grow. Honestly, I don’t think you should even be thinking about this until after you launch your first Airbnb. You will very quickly learn what works, what doesn’t, and what you’d do differently next time!
Getting Started on Airbnb Blog Posts
That’s a lot, isn’t it? I will tell you that being an Airbnb host (self-managing your rental) is not passive income. I work incredibly hard to earn all of my 5-star reviews and maximize my occupancy. However, it is a flexible job. I have checked in guests while on a vacation in Amsterdam and sent recommendations from Paris! The freedom and flexibility are why I love this job!
I have many incredible Airbnb-related blog posts ( in addition to family travel content) here at Our Little Lifestyle! The following list includes articles and guides especially related to getting started on Airbnb. This includes things to consider, my personal experiences as I got started, and the first steps for starting your Airbnb business. In another section, Airbnb Buying Guides, I share everything I buy for my condos. So, check that out next!
Below is a section of posts specifically related to getting started. Click any link to read that post. You can click here to view all of my Airbnb content in one place!
More Airbnb Hosting Resources
