To Airbnb or not? Interview II

Here’s the the second interview with a local Austinite who offers her house through Airbnb.

What led you to first start becoming an Airbnb host?

The house that I am using as an Airbnb, is the house I purchased before getting married. It has a lot of sentimental value for me, and I would hate to not be able to go inside and every once in a while, just to say hi to its walls and the patio, so selling and renting were very difficult choices for me. I figured I would rent out two rooms out of the three and make the third room an office for my business. So far, it has been continuously booked that I am now officeless. But I figured that at some point traffic will even out and I will get back to using my house a few days every other week. Or not, maybe I just stumbled into a more profitable business than I imagined.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you first started?
I figured I would start cheap, then when I had a few reviews, I would increase the price. Little did I know that people were going to book my house immediately up to almost March and April of next year. Come to think about it, it is not that funny because I could be making a lot more money, but that is how you learn.

Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I would say, think big. You may hit the jackpot. For me, everything is a learning experience.

Can you share about the innovations that you are bringing to the Airbnb experience?
I want to provide a bright space to my guests, so I try to bring in as much light as possible in the house. I also strive to provide great customer service. I want to perpetuate the perception that Austin, Texas is the best city in the world, and us as citizens need to live up to it.

In your opinion, what makes you different from the rest?
In my opinion, I am not that different, I am just a gal with a beautiful house trying to make some money. It is just a source of income while maintaining access to my property.

What extra amenities or design touches do you provide that guests have appreciated the most?
Coffee is the answer. I have a great coffee station. I have a gym area that everybody loves, but nobody ever uses, so I may turn it into another sleeping area.

Can you share 3 things you need to become a successful Airbnb host?
License, insurance, and a great cleaning strategy. You need to be fast, otherwise you will spend your life cleaning. If you have a cleaning crew, then make a list and have them follow it.

What advice can you give to new hosts looking to decorate an Airbnb in a unique and fresh way?
Everything “Texas” is the good route, but an Austin theme is a better choice. Also, less is more. I read an article about how to speed up the cleaning process and to be able to achieve that, the furniture needs to be setup in a way that allows one to vacuum the space efficiently. I have measured and arrange all my furniture in a way that I can accomplish this in less than 10 minutes. It is all about optimizing time.

Any general advice for someone who is thinking about becoming a new host?
Check with your HOA, have lots of insurance, and start the license process early.