Have you been thinking about how to Airbnb your house? If so, you've come to the right place!
Turning your home into an Airbnb is a major task that requires a lot of effort, but when done correctly, you can generate additional income. In this article, we will share with you the steps you need to take to turn your house into an Airbnb or short-term rental property.
Research Local Regulations
Before turning your home into an Airbnb, you should research and understand the regulations and requirements in your local area. Some cities have specific rules regarding short-term rentals, such as obtaining permits, adhering to zoning laws, or collecting occupancy taxes.
If the city you live in doesn’t allow Airbnb, consider finding another city or jurisdiction to set up an Airbnb in.
Evaluate Market Demand
Once you’re sure that your home complies with all legal obligations, you’ll want to assess the market demand for short-term rentals in your area.
Consider factors such as proximity to tourist attractions, business centers, or other amenities that can make your property attractive to potential guests. Be sure to research Airbnb listings in your area to understand the pricing and competition so you can offer a competitive rate to your guests.
Prepare Your Home
If you’ve evaluated market demand and determined that you’re ready to Airbnb your home, it’s time to make the necessary preparations to ensure your home is ready for guests.
You’ll want to clean and declutter the space, repair any damage, and consider adding extra amenities to enhance guest comfort. Furnish the property with essential furniture, appliances, and household items that guests may require during their stay. You should also research Airbnb listings in your area to see what types of amenities and features other properties offer and include them in your Airbnb.
Want help preparing your home for Airbnb? Square House Property Management offers full-service Airbnb and short-term rental furnishing services. We’ll help your home get in tip-top shape before your first guest comes through the door! Get in touch with us to learn more.
Create Your Airbnb Account and Listing
Now that you’ve prepared your home for guests, you’re ready to create your Airbnb account and set up your listing.
Start by signing up for an Airbnb account. From there, you’ll provide accurate and detailed information about your home, including the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, amenities available, house rules, and any unique selling points.
Use descriptive language to highlight the benefits of staying at your place. When describing your space, it's important that you list all the benefits that your home, apartment, condo, or townhome has to offer, including what amenities may be in the local area. This step is important because, when people choose an Airbnb, they don't just use them for the rental property itself, they also choose an Airbnb because of where the property is located or what's nearby.
The goal is for someone to read your listing and feel like they have an immediate connection with you so that they will be more inclined to choose your rental property rather than another Airbnb in the same area. To create an attractive listing for guests and get more bookings, you should take high-quality photos. Use good lighting, capture the best features of your home, and showcase the unique aspects that make it appealing.
If you have a hard time writing your Airbnb listing, think about all the fun things that you like to do in the area where your property is located including the restaurants, bars, clubs, and other places that you like to hang out at on a regular basis. You’ll also want to include places you may not be familiar with, or enjoy as much because the reality is that the same places that you like to hang out could be ideal for someone else.
Need help managing your Airbnb listing? Want to create a listing that stands out and attracts more guests? Square House can help! We offer complete Airbnb listing and marketing services so you don’t have to stress about getting guests. Get in touch with us to see how we can help!
Set Pricing and Availability
Before you publish your listing, you’ll want to determine your pricing strategy. You should determine pricing based on market research, seasonality, and the amenities and features of your home. You’ll want to set competitive rates to attract guests while ensuring your rental income covers expenses. If you price your property too high, you won’t get many bookings, but if you price your home too low, you won’t earn as much.
Once you’ve established the right pricing, you should then decide on the availability of your property, including minimum and maximum stay requirements. The more availability you have, the more money you’re likely to earn.
Establish House Rules and Policies
From there, you should define clear house rules for your guests, such as check-in and check-out times, noise restrictions, pet policies, or smoking policies. You’ll also want to mention parking information, areas of the home that guests shouldn’t access, and rules for visitors and gatherings.
Communicate these rules clearly in your listing to set guest expectations and ensure a smooth experience for everyone. Make sure you put the rules in both the description and in the features section, so guests are clear about the rules.
Once you’ve clearly established house rules and policies, your listing is ready to publish.
Provide a Positive Guest Experience
Aim to provide a memorable and positive experience for your guests. Offer recommendations for local attractions, dining options, or transportation. Maintain good communication throughout their stay, addressing any issues or concerns promptly. Request guest reviews to build your reputation and attract future bookings.
Hire an Airbnb Property Manager
Once your Airbnb account is set up, and your listing is live, one thing you don't want to do is spend the time, money, and hassle of managing your Airbnb rental property yourself.
Owning an Airbnb is time-consuming to manage. From cleaning and performing maintenance to managing guests and bookings, running your own Airbnb can easily become a second job if you don’t have help. That's why you should hire a property management company like Square House short-term rental management to professionally manage your Airbnb for you!
Don’t Take On Airbnb Management By Yourself, Square House Can Help!
If you live in Texas or Oklahoma and you’re planning to set up your home as an Airbnb or short-term rental, Square House Property Management can help you manage it! Square House takes the work out of managing an Airbnb property with full-service short-term rental management services, including listing management, guest hosting, cleaning, maintenance, and furnishing services.
Our team of experts can help you prepare your home to be a 5-star Airbnb. We’ll furnish your property with everything guests need for a short-term stay, launch your listing, and host your first guest. We’ll even clean the property and perform maintenance to make sure the property is in perfect shape for your next guest! Get in touch with Square House today and see how we can help make your short-term rental property a truly passive investment!
FAQs
Can you put your own house on Airbnb?
Yes, in most places around the world, you can put your own house, apartment, or other type of rental property on Airbnb. However, some local areas have restrictions on the number of Airbnb’s that can be in a certain area, and some local areas don’t allow Airbnb at all. You should research laws and regulations in your local jurisdiction before putting your own home on Airbnb.
Is owning an Airbnb passive income?
Yes, owning an Airbnb, or renting your home on Airbnb can generate passive income for owners. The monthly amount can greatly vary depending on the number of guests you hosted that month, the local area your Airbnb is located in, and the type of property you own. If you’re hoping to make your Airbnb a truly passive investment, learn more about Square House short-term rental management services.
How much can I make turning my house into an Airbnb?
According to CNBC, Airbnb owners can earn about $924 per month on average. However, the amount you can make from turning your home into an Airbnb varies based on the location of the property, the property type, and the guest occupancy rate.