Everyone could use a little extra cash these days, and that’s one of the many reasons why you might be thinking about renting your home out on Airbnb. The property market has been in a spiral for a while now, and the rising cost of living means that tourists are looking at more affordable options than fancy hotels. That’s great news in theory for Airbnb owners, but it also means that you’re going to be facing a lot of competition. There was one AirBnB listing for every four homes in 2020. You need to think about ways that you can make your listing stand out from the crowd.
Brighten Things Up A Bit
Here’s a point that is worth considering for both the listing and any potential guests. People want to see that there is plenty of natural light. Make sure that you make the most of the light you have and add some floor lamps to make things seem more homely.
Another way to make the space feel lighter is to rethink your decoration. This seems simple but you’d be amazed at how effective it can be. Think about what you’d like to see in an Airbnb. You’d notice if the paint job was looking lacklustre. It’s one of those first impressions things that makes a big difference.
Don’t Forget Curb Appeal
This is true for any time that you’re trying to draw attention to your property. It’s always a good idea to think about first impressions, so think about what you could do to spruce things up a little bit. Hanging baskets can be a great way to liven things up a bit. Tidy up your front lawn if things have got out of hand. And don’t forget about how the exterior paint looks.
It might be time to give your front door and any exterior windows a bit of TLC if it’s been a while. It’s fair to say that most guests will be more interested in the interior than how it looks outside, but you need to do everything you can to make sure that your place stands out from the competition.
Fix Up Anything That Doesn’t Look Right
You’ll know that little things can become big things very quickly when you’re paying money to stay somewhere. People may not be expecting five-star accommodation when they book an Airbnb, but they are going to expect somewhere that is worth paying for.
This is a great opportunity for you to get to work on some long-standing issues that you’ve been meaning to deal with. You know the ones. The cupboard door that’s started to come off its hinges a bit. The window which hasn’t been opening properly for a couple of months. Your tiling is a great example of an area that you should be looking at. If you’ve got cracked or worn tiling then it’s high time that you take care of it. Finding tilers near you is easy at MyBuilder. You can find a tiler to do the job and check out reviews from their previous clients. That way, you can rest assured that they’re going to help make your property somewhere that people want to stay in.
If you need new appliances, you can look for washing machines online or install a new oven to make the Airbnb feel more modern.
Give Your Wi-Fi And Home Entertainment A Boost
One of the biggest things that people want in an Airbnb is to know that they can use the internet without any problems. You need to address this if your Wi-Fi is spotty and if your broadband speeds are not up to scratch. You could also think about what you can offer in the way of home entertainment. Now, Netflix may be cracking down on sharing passwords, but make sure that any TVs you’ve got in guest rooms have the apps for streaming services installed. That way, guests can log into their own accounts. Just remind them to sign out when they leave!
Little Touches Matter
We mentioned earlier that guests probably aren’t expecting a five-star hotel experience but that doesn’t mean that you can’t provide some little luxury flourishes. A welcome basket doesn’t have to cost you the world, it can just be a few essentials like milk, juice, tea and coffee and a few biscuits. You can write a list of directions to the nearest shops and public transport, or local sights and walks if your property is in the countryside. Leave a note with your contact details in case of emergencies and don’t forget the Wi-Fi password. And if you want to leave a tiny chocolate on the pillow, then no one’s stopping you!
Get A Professional Photographer
This point is more for the actual listing itself but it’s important. If all your photos are fuzzy and gloomy, then why would anyone want to pay money to spend a night or two at your home? How can you stand out as a listing online? By making sure that you’re showcasing your property in the best possible light. It’s well worth making sure that whoever is taking the pictures knows what they’re doing.
Encourage Reviews
AirBnB should encourage people to leave feedback, but a guestbook could be a nice touch. It’s a little way to remind people that your property rental is run by a person who wants people to have a nice time, and not just a faceless company. All these things can help you to stand out and to encourage people to come back and stay with you.
