Want to turn your place into a holiday haven and cash in on the Airbnb craze but don’t know where to begin? You’re not alone.
Since 2008, Airbnb has helped a whopping 150 million users across 190 countries use their homes to pocket a few thousand dollars a year in extra cash.
The idea is simple: if you have a spare room (or better yet, spare property), why not make some money from it? Running an Airbnb is a great way to make a bit of cash on the side or supplement your retirement, and if things go well, it could even become your primary source of income.
Sounds too good to be true? Well, it will take a little bit of effort to get your Airbnb up to a five-star standard that will have holidaygoers throwing some serious cash your way.
But there’s no need to break the bank building a fancy bed and breakfast. We’ve put together a list of a few easy steps you can take today to turn your humble abode into the next summer escape on everyone’s radar.
Easy access
Make sure your guests can come and go hassle-free. Try providing alternative check-in options when you’re not around and offer alternative private entrances for Airbnb spaces.
Safety and security
Locks, keys, keycards, access codes – all are essential to building a safe and secure place for your guests. Consider upgrading your security game to give your guests peace of mind.
Stock up on essentials
No more last-minute panic over running out of toilet paper! Stock up on the basics like toiletries, cleaning products and food essentials in bulk so your guests never find themselves in a bind.
Laundry concerns
Clean sheets without the laundry day chaos – keep spares handy and decide if your guests get the VIP laundry treatment.
Equip the kitchen
Cooking or not, let’s spruce up that kitchen. Lock away the precious stuff and invest in some snazzy yet affordable budget kitchen gear. Head down to retailers like Kmart or Target and fill your Airbnb kitchen with cheaper alternatives that you won’t mind losing.
Cleaning services
Cleaning up post-party can be a drag. Wave goodbye to that stress with a professional cleaning crew. Bonus: you can add a cleaning fee to the Airbnb price – problem solved!
Declutter
Enhance your property’s cleanliness by removing personal items. Treat your home like a hotel room, clearing out items such as photo frames, toys, books, and valuables. Hide away the personal stuff and transform your home into a guest-ready paradise.
Throw in helpful extras
Ditch the generic hosting routine. Throw in some DVDs, local maps, and a ‘cheat sheet’ of the area for those international guests. Some fresh flowers, scented candles, and local goodies can also go a long way towards winning over your guests.
Bedroom kit
Sweet dreams are made of blackout curtains, extra pillows, and a cozy ‘bedroom kit.’ Try throwing in small items like earplugs, water bottles, essential oils, bedtime tea and an eye mask to give your guests a sleep haven they won’t forget.
Set up the bathroom
Make the bathroom guest-ready by giving it a thorough cleaning and stocking it with essentials like towels, toilet paper, hygiene products, a hairdryer, and toiletries. Remove personal items and provide new toothbrushes, toothpaste, and razors.
Boost your rating
In a nutshell, these tips cover the basics, but why stop there? If your home needs a little TLC, consider it an excuse to spruce things up. A fresh coat of paint, some fancy curtains, and upgraded appliances might just be the secret sauce to boosting your Airbnb rating, along with your prices.
