5 Basic Airbnb Hosting Tips

If you strive to be an Airbnb super host with a five-star rating, this blog is for you! With these five tips, you will be one step closer to achieving that status.

Here is a snippet of the Airbnb we had in New Jersey. Our guests had full access to the living room (pictured), kitchen, and backyard. We enjoyed having candy available as a gesture of hospitality and to extend a warm welcome to our home.

Host with Ease

Tip #1: Get Professional pictures taken of your Airbnb Seriously, this is the first impression of your property so you want to make sure that you have good quality photos after all it's really your pictures (and reviews if you have any) that make people want to book your Airbnb. Everyone is NOT a photographer even in this social media age so let's leave it to the professionals!

Tip #2: It's all about the basics

Have basic essentials for your guests. We prefer having the big refillable shampoo, conditioner, and body wash containers. It's better for the environment and your pockets! It is advisable to purchase a bulk quantity of individually wrapped toothbrushes, which can be found on our Amazon list.

Tip #3: Set house rules!

Provide your guests with a binder to find the house rules and a manual of how things work. We can't all assume that everyone knows how to work the Nest thermostat or the Echo Show. You can set your physical house rules/manual binder on the coffee table or in the bedrooms. It is worth noting that certain rules listed on rental listings are a result of past experiences.

Tip #4: Easy self-check-in and out process

Having a self-check-in process is ideal for both yourself and your guest. This could be a lockbox with a key in it (just make sure you have extras in case they lock themselves out or lose the key). I highly recommend just avoiding that altogether and purchasing a digital combination door lock ( some have apps where you can change the code from your phone). This would avoid having to wait around until they are ready for check-in or the guest having to wait on you. It is imperative to establish clear and concise check-in and check-out times.

Tip #5: Pets or no pets

Think hard about if you want pets in your Airbnb. While we understand the love and affection that pet owners have for their furry companions, it is important to bear in mind that not all pets are as well-behaved as yours. The presence of pets necessitates additional cleaning, which can be time-consuming, and some animals may cause damage to your property, such as carpets, walls, doors, or furniture. Additionally, cats usually have a litter box in the house; we had a couple stay with their adorable cat for over a month... they cleaned the litter box every day. However, when they left there was a lingering smell that was so difficult to remove from the home. After that experience, that was the last time we allowed cats in our Airbnb, at no fault to the guest or their gorgeous cat. If you choose to allow pets...CHARGE EXTRA for the cleaning!