23 Things To Do To Prepare Your Home For Airbnb Guests
Do you want to make some extra cash? If so, maybe you should put your home/cottage up for rent on Airbnb. Airbnb has more than 3 million listings and counting, and has become a popular choice for vacationers over a hotel/motel. Renting out your home, cottage, or even a spare room is a great way to earn a little extra income for you and your family and meet amazing people from all over the world. But before you start posting your space on Airbnb, make sure your home or cottage is top hosting shape before your guest arrives. Here are 23 Things to do to prepare your home or cottage for Airbnb Guests.
23. Give Some Ambiance!
Nothing is better than a little green around the house. Indoor plants are a great way to spruce up your living space when getting your home ready for an Airbnb guest. Not only are indoor plants pretty to look at, they offer great benefits for you and your upcoming Airbnb guests. Many indoor plants can act as purifiers and can remove harmful spores like mold from the air. Indoor Plants also give your guests the sense of a lived in and well cared-for space because they show that someone is taking care of them simply by boasting the vibrancy of their big green leaves. Take a look at this blog here to discover more about house plants and their benefits!Indoor plants are cheap too and won’t break your wallet.
22.What's Hot?
It’s always a great idea to leave local brochures & menus of places around your neighborhood, just in case your next Airbnb guest wants to go out and is not familiar with the area. When preparing for your Airbnb guest, you might also want to leave out some interesting books or magazines just in case you happen to host a book worm. Not everyone likes to sit around and watch tv/movies- so give your next house guest some options!
21. Nothing's wrong with a little excess.
Before you start listing your home or cottage as a rental, make sure you have everything you may need in case something goes awry when your guests arrive. We mean have extra light bulbs, toiletries, dishwashing liquid, detergent, or whatever you may think your next Airbnb guest may run out of. It’s ok to provide things like bath soap or toothpaste, but usually these things are brought by the guest. One thing you do not want excess off is trash or recyclables so make sure that everything is emptied before your guest arrive.
20. Welcome Home
There’s nothing like walking into a home that has a welcoming smell and a gracious host. If you plan on welcoming Airbnb guest in the near future, try leaving out some fresh baked cookies. Not only will the house smell fantastic, but your guest will feel welcome & at home. Also, make sure to have extra bottles of water just in case you have a guest that is particular about their water and also have in stock any amenities that you’ll normally have on regular day at home.
19. Keep it stocked & brewed
When preparing your home or cottage for your Airbnb guests, make sure you have coffee and tea available. There’s nothing like coming in from a Red Eye and every coffee place on the way to your location is closed. Also, have something for guest to fix these beverages like coffee maker or tea kettle. Don’t forget to keep condiments in stock too, like ketchup, mustard, oil and anything else you think your Airbnb guests might need during their stay.
18. Make it clear!
If you’re renting out your house or cottage for an Airbnb guest for a long period of time, anticipate your guests needs and write any instructions down that might make it easier for your guest. This can include things like trash day, internet access code, or the dogs name! Be clear on how to use any electronics in the household (if any) & how to operate other appliances, security systems, etc. If you live in a complex or share parking, be sure to explain that as well. At My Next Home Reno we prepare these documents for you and make them easy and fun to read.
17. Looks matter.
When we say looks matter, we are talking about your curb appeal. Just like a book, a home can be judged before a guest even steps foot in the door. Do a little tidying up around the yard if you have one, cut down any dead plants and/or replace them, give your grass a trim, and make sure everything is raked. If you live in a cold climate, make sure your driveway or porch is salted and plowed. Call up our pals at Carving Eden, they’ll help you take care of any landscape problem!
16. "Opps, I've spilled it again".
Accidents happen, sheets can get soiled thus calling for replacements. Make sure you have extra sheets and blankets available for your guest when preparing your home/cottage to be rented out on Airbnb. Don’t forget to leave out fresh, clean towels – this way your guests won’t have to worry about doing laundry frequently.
15. Just in case
Just in case your guest may have forgotten something, make sure you have toiletries available – to be on the safe side. Traveling is stressful, and sometimes we tend to forget the most common things like a toothbrush or hair shampoo. We always suggest buying these accessories in travel sizes because guests are hesitant to use large, already opened hygiene products. Travel-sized products will reduce waste and clearly illustrate that you’re thinking of your guest.
14. Lock away valuables
Lock away any personal items that you deem too precious to be left out unattended. It’s always best to check your renter’s profile, comments, etc. before accepting their Airbnb request. But if everything checks out and to be on the safe side, keep your valuables in a safe that you (the owner) have a key for. Remove all personal items, family photos, jewelry, guns, from your renter’s space. If you have a lot of items and nowhere to put them, think about hiring My Next Home Reno to build you a small storage shed.
13. Dead is the worst
The worst thing to have is a phone that is dead, especially if you’re an Airbnb guest just arriving to a new place. Make sure you have extra chargers around the house just in case this may be something else your renter forgot. Consider purchasing a charging station that takes all major phone cables, that way you’ll have something for everyone!
12. Is this a cloud?
If you’re preparing your home for an Airbnb guest, make sure your bed is comfortable and your pillows are plush. There’s nothing worse than coming in from a long flight or drive only to be met with a bed fit for a 2 star motel. Consider purchasing a High-quality mattress topper if you don’t already have one.
11. Be Minimalistic
When preparing your home for your next Airbnb guest, think like a minimalist. Your guests do not want to see your clothes hanging in the closet or your personal products in your nightstand. Clear away everything but the necessities, so everything looks nice, clean, and roomy.
10. Give it a new coat.
Do your walls have holes in them, or blemishes caused by moving furniture? If so, be sure to cover-up any dents, cracks, holes, or scratches. Go around your cottage or home and identify any spots that may need some putty and a coat of paint. If you’re feeling a little creative, go ahead and give that wall a full coat of paint or all.The My Next Home Reno Cottage Cleaning Service has you covered for all the small repairs that need to be done to keep your cottage in 5-star condition.
9. Does it beep?
Make sure all of the smoke alarms, carbon monoxide, and security system (if any) are in working order. Replace all batteries and leave some laying around for your guest, if it’s a long stay. Also make sure to have a couple of fire extinguishers around as well, you can never be too safe.
8. Safety First
Put a fully stocked First- aid kit out for your next Airbnb guest, it is never a bad idea to have a couple of over the counter pain medications in stock as well. You never know what can happen, anyone can get hurt- so make sure you put safety first.
7.Where are you?
Never leave your next Airbnb guest hanging. Leave a contact number & and email address just in case your guest may need to contact you if any problems arise. AirBnB is not like a hotel, every property is unique and it can take some time to acclimate as they get their bearings. Being available through text is a great way to provide a concierge service while you’re off-site.
6. Ready for a close up?
Is your house picture perfect? When preparing your home for Airbnb, not only should it look great in person but also in pictures as well. Make sure you take high-quality photos of your home or cottage or any space that you’re renting. The pictures should look just as perfect as the product you’re offering. These pictures will ultimately be the determining factor if your space is “vacation rental” ready.
5. If it's broke, lets fix it!
If your home has a leaky faucet, or running commode – it’s best to fix it as soon as possible. Go through your space and take note of everything that is broken or needs to be replaced. Don’t be shy, give us a call and we’ll happily replace those squeaky floors, leaking faucet, or any other problems your living space may have.
4. Don't be a stranger.
When you share your home you are sharing a part of yourself. And for a brief time people have the opportunity to live your life style. One of the most alluring things that drives the AirBnB economy is the personal touches of experiencing someone else’s lifestyle, decor, and taste. A great way for you and your next Airbnb guests to feel more comfortable with each other is to take the conversation offline. Become friends it possible, and keep in touch with your guest(s) even after their stay. This is a great way to boost your rental’s rating and keep the extra income rolling in.
3. Why not more?
If you’re looking to maximize your home investment, then maybe you should consider building a home, a TINY HOME. Tiny homes are relatively cheap to build and are a great investment-check out this blog here to discover more reasons why you should invest in a tiny home. If you have the space, why not build a TIny Home that is solely for Airbnb guest? This is ideal if you plan to live with your guest, but want to maintain privacy. Give us a call or check out this page to learn more about Tiny Homes.
2. Let 'em know.
Let your neighbors know that you’ll be leaving your home/cottage while you have guests. There’s nothing like having friends or neighbors stopping by unannounced and you’re not home. So make certain to keep everyone in the loop before you leave your home for the next Airbnb guest to enjoy!
1. HIRE THE BEST!
Luckily for you, we offer tons of services that will help you prepare your home for your next Airbnb guests. From Cottage Cleaning to Tiny Home Construction to simple renovations, our team at MNHR is here to help with your rental property goals. Give us a call at 1-855-705-5394 to start your Next Airbnb Preparations.
Happy Renting!