To Airbnb or not? Interview I
Has it ever occurred to you to let others live in your house temporarily and become part of the gig economy? Airbnb, now a household name is one of the many ways to do so. I happen to know a couple of locals who have joined to offer travelers inexpensive accommodations while this provides them with an opportunity to earn some extra income from their property.
I asked them a few questions to share with my readers in case any of you have been toying with the idea of doing it!
Here are the answers from my first interviewee:
What led you to first start becoming an Airbnb host?
Austin is an amazing city with wonderful events going on almost every weekend from March to October. We saw a great potential to earn additional income by renting out our spare bedroom. We are world travelers and have used Airbnb properties in the past. We wanted to offer our home to other travelers that were looking for a different experience from a hotel stay.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you first started?
Probably the time we rented to someone who didn't have Airbnb history/ratings. Long story short, I don't think the couple was "traveling", they just needed a private room. We were always pretty flexible with checkout time. The following morning after we came back from a late lunch (around 3pm), we had to call the guest (who had already left) to please ask his companion to exit our property since she was still sleeping. We felt pretty uncomfortable having to kick someone out.
Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
We were a little more careful about renting to someone without Airbnb history/ratings. Our goal was to cater to travelers and hopefully make a connection with them through our traveling experiences.
Can you share about the innovations that you are bringing to the Airbnb experience?
Every guest is different, most of our guests were really happy with our home. Most were looking for a good deal that offered a clean and comfortable space with easy access to downtown. We had great ratings and everyone loved the bed and its softness. Each guest was given a private code to the front door which made it extremely easy for them to come and go without having to carry a key. Plus, it made it safer for our home since we could just delete the code once they checked out.
In your opinion, what makes you different from the rest?
Our proximity to downtown and price savings over hotels made us very popular. Our guest room which is the space we would rent, is located immediately after the front entrance. This allowed separation between us and our guests and it made them feel more comfortable about coming and going out of the house.
What extra amenities or design touches do you provide that guests have appreciated the most?
Our home has a modern style which has attracted many of our guest, but at the end of the day, most guests were coming to Austin for the weekend to do work, attend a conference, party downtown or to attend a festival. Most guests’ priority was a clean, comfortable and affordable room with easy access to downtown.
Can you share 3 things you need to become a successful Airbnb host?
1. Effective communication with guests and great instructions especially for how to access the home.
2. Offer amenities. Guests enjoyed having toiletries available such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, new loofah, as well as clean and soft towels. They also appreciate coffee, tea, and bottle water. WIFI code is a MUST.
3. Location is key. Easy access to downtown is very desirable. That's not to say that someone wouldn't be looking for locations further away from downtown. Many guests are just visiting family or want easy access to events at Circuit of the Americas on the east side or to the Q2 stadium located north.
What advice can you give to new hosts looking to decorate an Airbnb in a unique and fresh way?
Modern and simple is appealing on the eyes. Think minimalist and don’t overdo it. Pinterest can give you great ideas that can help you create an inviting yet budget friendly atmosphere.
Any general advice for someone who is thinking about becoming a new host?
It is not as easy as one might think. It's almost like a part-time job. You’ll be handling bookings, communication with potential guests, reviewing cleaning procedures, etc., and all of that takes time. Airbnb now requires additional cleaning protocols in order to provide a safer experience for guests. Aside from that, researching and comparing against other properties before pricing your place will give a better understanding of the current market. Last, it’s not a bad idea to offer a discount for the first few bookings to give someone the confidence to book and give a review of the place.
