The Ultimate Superhost Guide
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The Ultimate Superhost Guide The Definitive Guide: Everything You Need to Know For Hosting Success by Andrea Clarkson Welcome! Welcome to your on-point, simplified book to help you start your own Airbnb with ease! When we bought our first home, I wanted to find a way to monetize the extra space we had in our mid-century modern basement. Rather than spend thousands of dollars to renovate and put in a full kitchen, we decided to try Airbnb. We hired a handyman to install a door and wall at the end of the hallway for under $400. We instantly had a separate suite that was booked within 15 minutes of going live! After a few months we were Superhosts and it’s been an experience that has been very positive. Having the extra income to help cover mortgage payments and vacations has been wonderful. When I began my Airbnb, I had so many questions and this is the book I wish I could have found that could get me up and running on the right foot. This is exactly why I wrote it for you! The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Guide | 2 The Fine Print No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of very brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Any advice that is provided in this book is based on the experience of the author. The author does not receive compensation and all opinions are solely the opinion of the author, not of Airbnb. The Tax information contained in this document is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or tax advice. Inside The Ultimate Superhost Guide, you will find links to products great for starting an Airbnb that your guests’ will love! These are products I have personally used for my own Airbnb,100% my own opinion and I trust them for quality. If you decide to use the links, I may receive a small commission – Thank you! Copyright 2021 Mamma Mode. All Rights Reserved. The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Guide | 3 I’m an Airbnb Ambassador! I want to give back to the hosting community. So, If you would like to list your place, but don’t know where to start then let me help! This means that if you sign up with my link, Airbnb pays me to help guide you through the process as your personal mentor! Whenever you have a question, about the Airbnb hosting process from creating your listing to welcoming your first guests, just message me on the Airbnb App! No matter where in the world you live, I would love to make joining Airbnb a fun and easy process for you! Once you are ready to list: Use my and you’ll get a $52 bonus from Airbnb when you host your first guests! The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Guide | 8 Introduction On any given night, 2 million people will stay in Airbnb homes in 81,000 cities around the world. There are close to 5 million listings in 191 countries, more beds than the top five hotel chains combined. The shared economy is here to stay and is expected to triple in the next 5 years. There is no better time to take advantage of this new and growing economic trend! This book is for the absolute beginner to the more experienced host looking to explode their bookings. This book covers everything from creating a listing, ranking high in searches, increasing bookings and becoming a Superhost. You’ll learn to streamline your communication with guests and provide an experience that they will rave about in reviews. The more you know about Airbnb, the more you will be able to use this knowledge to optimize your listing, set goals and succeed. There is a learning curve to being an Airbnb host and this book will become an essential reference to return to time and time again. The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Guide | 9 //01 Starting an Airbnb. Since Airbnb launched in August 2008, they have built a user- friendly, trusted platform that connects travelers with hosts offering unique rentals and experiences. Airbnb hosts who provide the best guest experience are rewarded with positive reviews, higher search rankings, and more bookings. Think about what impresses you when you stay in a hotel or Airbnb. What turns you off or makes you feel disappointed? People who use Airbnb above all want to feel welcome and comfortable in your home, try to make the best possible experience for your guests. The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Guide | 10 //01 Set your Expectations. People decide to host for all different types of reasons. Some hosts use the extra income to help with their mortgage, fund their next trip, or simply save for the future. Other hosts love meeting new people, sharing stories, and helping guests have a great trip by providing a local’s perspective. Before creating a profile, think about what you want to get out of hosting and share those expectations with your neighbors and other people living in your home or building. This includes discussing how often you’ll be hosting and creating house rules that all guests will abide by. The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Guide | 11 //01 Your Market Dictates your Occupancy. Some cities have a higher rate of bookings than others. In a slower Airbnb market, no matter how fantastic your property, there just won’t be enough demand. You can check who else has an Airbnb in your neighborhood (and what they are charging!) and if you’re in a hot rental market or not with AirDNA It’s free to search. It’s best to check first to know what to expect. You don’t always have to be in a top city. For example, college towns, even rural ones, have high demand as there are conferences, graduations and events. The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Guide | 12 //01 Starting an Airbnb. Make Sure its Legal. As a host, it’s important for you to understand the laws in your city, county, state, province, territory and/or country, before you start hosting. Some areas have zoning laws or require special permits and you need to research this first. The best way to get this information is to contact your local government to ask questions about your STR plans and what you need to proceed. Some jurisdictions may require an inspection of your property to make sure it meets minimum habitability standards. Find out what standards apply to your listing. Follow the Rules. It's also important to understand and follow other contracts or rules that might apply to your listing, timeshare ownership rules, such as leases, condo board or co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Read your lease agreement and check with your landlord, if applicable. If you live in rent controlled or stabilized housing, there may be special rules that apply to you. If you are renting a place to turn into an Airbnb, make sure to discuss this with the landlord so. everyone is on the same page. The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Guide | 13 //02 Your Story and Branding. In the vacation rental market, standing out above the competition is key. But, with so much competition out there, having a story is so important. Think of your Airbnb as a business and a Brand. You’re going to put your heart, time and energy into your Airbnb, so it will essentially be your business and your brand. In this section, you’ll learn some actionable ways to make your Airbnb really a one-of-a-kind destination! The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Guide | 14 //02 Starting an Airbnb. Tell a Story. By creating a solid brand strategy for your property and designing your space to reflect that, you’ll be equipped to grow your online presence, increase your ratings, your bookings, and even your nightly rate. Bringing out the full potential of your Airbnb and creating a holistic experience for your guests will turn your rental into a successful business. A Solid Concept. It’s important that you start with a solid concept — a sort of “theme” that captures your property’s story. Once you know what that story is and what message you want to get across to your guests, then you can start incorporating that into your design. Don’t just look at your property as a place for guests to crash. Think of it as an entire experience for travelers visiting your city. Better yet, think of it as a unique destination that people from around the world want to stay in because your property is just that special! Think Outside the Box. Design your space with a standout feature, a spot that everyone wants to share on Instagram when they visit. Whether that be a unique wall mural, a meditation room, or a special architectural element, it really depends on your space and your brand. The important thing is that these features make sense for your property and your story. The Ultimate Airbnb Superhost Guide | 15 //02 Starting an Airbnb. Think of your Airbnb As a Brand Research shows that you have about 3 seconds to captivate someone’s interest on while scrolling through Airbnb Listings, before they move on. If you want your property to stand out in a crowded market, to be memorable among its competitors, and to become a one-of- a-kind destination, then it’s incredibly important to have a brand identity.