Airbnb is a website that helps people find accommodations all around the world. It's not just for finding a place to stay, but it also gives you inspiration and ideas on where to go next. Airbnb provides an easy way of meeting locals who are passionate about their city and want to show off what makes them unique!
Airbnb offers flexible booking for those looking for short-term renting options or even one night stays.
However, before you can start your Airbnb listing, there are some things you need to know first: The following checklist will help walk you through everything from how much money you'll need saved up (don't worry we have tips!) to setting up your house with hidden cameras so no strangers enter when they shouldn't.
Let's get started! Airbnb is a great way to make some extra cash or take your travel experiences one step further. Are you ready? Let's go!
Checklist: Getting Started with Airbnb
1. Do you have any special licenses that are required in order to rent your city or region? Make sure you check this before you begin, as it will cost very hard if not impossible to obtain once the process has already been started. You can double check on sites like AirDNA to see what sort of information they've gathered about your local area and whether or not your current listing is following all applicable laws (and even if there may be new rules about to come into effect). Picking up a copy of The Airbnb Survival Guide is also a must, as it can provide even more insight into local laws and what you need to know before setting your listing up. You'll also want to check with Airbnb directly about any special steps you should follow.
2. Do you already have or will need Airbnb insurance? This is a very important part of the process. All hosts are automatically covered under Airbnb, but they only cover $1 million per incident (with an additional $50k for property damage). For those who rent out their place on a regular basis, that excuse just won't cut it anymore! You've heard "The horror stories"but so has everybody else- and if nothing bad actually happens...well, that's still true for everyone else too! Get a quote at Haven Road and see how far you can take things.
3. How long will your guests stay? This is another one of those questions that cause people to react like we just asked them their age or favorite color- but it's important information nonetheless . Airbnb requires hosts to collect occupancy taxes for each state that they have listings, with complex breakdowns by day, week and month (some are also required to register as a business). If you're going the home-ownership route, make sure the legalities are doing on your end so you don't get fined.
4. How much time do you need to put in? Once you're ready to begin, it's important that your guests will feel welcome when they arrive. This means taking the time to go over exactly what your place is like, including things such as amenities and nearby events. You'll want to make sure everything you've included is correct as well- which is why it's a great idea to have an Airbnb editing service set things up for you . The end goal is to be the person your guests will want to keep in contact with, which means having a little bit of time spent on the first interaction goes a long way.
5. Do you already own or have access to any property? This may not apply to many people, but it's worth considering if it could help you save some money over the long run. Some rent out their properties while they're still living there, or place their current home on Airbnb as well (though this may have different legal repercussions). New York City has been getting more and more strict about allowing people who aren't actually living in their apartments- though other areas may allow it- so it's worth checking into.
Airbnb is a great way to make some extra money, but it also means you have certain responsibilities. Don't let your Airbnb listing fall through the cracks and get lost in the shuffle- go over our checklist of things to consider before listing your property on Airbnb for more information about getting started with this popular site. You'll want to do some research beforehand so that you're prepared for whatever comes next!
If you're looking to take start off your Airbnb journey the right way, be sure to check out our free training around how to maximize your earnings. Click here to save your seat now.