Vacation Rentals with John: Recent Episodes
Vacation Rental & Airbnb Coach
Learn how to grow your airbnb or vacation rental business in just minutes a day with Coach John. Join John as he shares the latest insights, tools, and news about the rapidly growing short term rental industry. The episodes are short, sweet, and actionable. Whether you are an airbnb host or a seasoned vacation rental owner, this short term rental podcast is for you.
A couple promotions that work for my vacation rentals to attract more bookings - easy to implement changes.
Join the facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohn
Connect with me here john@vacationhomehelp.com
My airbnb profile https://www.airbnb.com/users/show/46582948
My cleaning company vacationhomehelp.com
Chatting with Airbnb expert Daniel Rusteen about optimizing your airbnb listings.Rate and review to show support on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Follow Daniel Rusteen https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrusteen/https://www.instagram.com/dannybooboo0/?hl=enhttps://optimizemyairbnb.com/product/optimize-your-airbnb-book/Join the new facebook communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/406742401333133
Airbnb actually did a pretty sneaky update to short stay clean fees.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
In this episode I will walk you through my vacation rental cold outreach method I use to find new owners, guests, and clients for my short term rental businesses. * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Articleshttps://skift.com/2023/10/06/exclusive-hopper-terminates-booking-com-partnership-in-preemptive-strike/https://shorttermrentalz.com/news/evolve-second-layoffs-round-2023/
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
- Read Business Insider Article
- Read Fortune Article
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Source article: https://www.wsoctv.com/news/trending/homeowner-tied-up-by-man-he-rented-room-airbnb/6KIGXAPW3ZCOBDS5XZTHGH7HUA/* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Read it here: https://www.keydatadashboard.com/blog/summer-2023-us-vacation-rental-market-winners-and-losers* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
When this happens, it is never a good situation, and prevention is always better than having to fix it. So this episode will go into prevention methods and ways you can make it right for your guests.1. Identify the WHY it happened after you fix the problem. Take care of the guest first 2. Identify the cause so you can prevent in the future 3. How to handle the guest 4. How to handle the cleaner 5. How to handle yourself * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
How to choose vacation rental sites to list on (...besides Airbnb and VRBO) If you. need more exposure to fill up your calendar, here is a 5-minute exercise you can use to find the most effective vacation rental websites.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
One of our listeners had a 'guest from hell' - they do have a shared space, but I have dealt with a difficult guest who was dead-set on breaking every rule possible. Hope this never happens to you, but if it does...here are some practical steps you can take to ask them to stop and if it fails, how to get the platform to cancel the reservation.* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Should I leave a welcome gift for my Airbnb guests?This short episode will dive into a couple of ideas to improve your guest experience.* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Sometimes guests have to leave early. Storms, wildfires, illness in the family, or just because they want to go home early. Here is how I deal with it.* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Just a couple of things I think about and do when dealing with guests who break house rules. Note: This episode is probably more suited to beginner hosts. * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky's X Tweet - https://twitter.com/bchesky/status/1704465615954584043* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Today, we have Zach Busekrus from Sponstayneous on to talk short term rentals.Connect with Zach on InstagramLast Minute Airbnb Deals on sponstayneous.com* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
If your guests won't leave your property in time, here are some practical steps you can take. * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Read the article by The Atlantic 'Airbnb Really Is Different Now"https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2023/09/airbnb-hotel-hosting-cleaning-fees/675355/* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
A little neat trick to help you rank higher with the algorithm...* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Big changes with VRBO's cancellation policy and Premier Host Program* If the host cancels a booking 48 hours before the stay, they will be charged 50% of gross booking value — that’s the most harsh penalty. If it is canceled between 30 days to 48 hours prior, the penalty is 25%; prior to 30 days, the penalty is 10% with a minimum of $50. * Hosts can get a waiver for unavoidable cancellations, such as those attributable to natural disasters. Vrbo confirmed that, for now, only hosts in the U.S. will face the penalties. * Updates to eligibility requirements for the Premier Host program will start January 2024. The new requirements aim to make the program more exclusive, by only admitting hosts with an average overall rating of 4.4+, those whose initiated cancellation rate is less than 1%, and those whose booking acceptance rates are 95% or higher.
Thoughts? Join the Facebook Group.* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
How I do short term rental bookkeeping in under 30 minutes a weekLinks to help with creating your chart of accounts (you do not need these softwares, these are just to reference to get your chart of accounts)https://blog.bnbtally.com/airbnb-costs-and-chart-of-accounts-to-considerhttps://www.doorloop.com/blog/property-management-chart-of-accounts* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Airbnb retires email aliases. What hosts need to know* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
We got a situation! How to handle a guest pressuring for a refund through complaints.* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Sometimes the numbers may be a bit confusing whether you are reading the transaction activity report (the airbnb spreadsheet download) or your reservation detail.I recommend checking the reservation detail to understand the numbers that go into your payout spreadsheet that you can download from Airbnb. This episode I am going over numbers from a reservation I had to explain how they show reservation details. * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Audio has a cricket - I live in Puerto Rico and they were especially loud during this session.
Here are some strategies you can use if your short term rental gets a double booking.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
How to deal with airbnb guests that check out late.* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Policy lit here:https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/990* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Airbnb Cancelled Long Term Booking (25 Nights) Because The Cleaner Entered As Planned?* Tips to help you avoid cancellations because of mid-stay cleaning hiccups * Why your airbnb cleaner or maintenance person should always knock twice and announce themselves * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
What to Know About New Airbnb Regulations in NYC* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
How to Leverage Your Airbnb Host Profile to Increase ReservationsEpisode Notes:* Think about this like online dating even if you have never done this * You have limited space to describe your property and yourself * In this episode I will dive into 2 host profiles that do an excellent job and one that does not * Airbnb Host Profile Example 1 * Airbnb Host Profile Example 2 * Airbnb Host Profile Example 3 * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Should I provide baby gear, BBQ grills, and other extras to my airbnb guests?* Outsourcing is an option with vacation rental equipment rental companies * If you are going to offer it, the extras need to be maintained * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
If you are a Premier Host on VRBO (similar to Airbnb Superhost status), you can leverage your boost powerups to appear higher in VRBO's search rankings. Using the powerup during slow periods or to close gaps in your calendar can help you boost your vacation rental's occupancy. * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Don’t Waste Your Money on These Things During Short Term Rental Setup. In this episode, a list of things to avoid that will end up costing you time or money during setup. Already listed? Consider removing or replacing some of these time wasters.* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
How to avoid getting scammed on Airbnb...these scams can cost you thousands, avoid losing to the bad guys.* Payment scams * Stolen credit cards * Direct booking scams * Realtor scams and more.
Avoid these common short term rental scams with this short episode highlighting what to be on the watch for.* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
There are only four ways to get short term rental guests - warm outreach, cold outreach, paid ads (think Airbnb, VRBO), and content - and the rule of 100 suggests doing 100 of each every day to improve and get better results. Credit: Alex Hormozi.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Learn how I got scammed on Turno by an Airbnb cleaner. Avoid my fate.
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
These two changes that take just seconds to implement may help you rank higher on Airbnb search. Try them for your vacation rental. Please let me know if they work for you. * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Booking.com has a hard time delivering payouts to vacation rental hosts* European hosts are hardest hit * This is on top of years of broken promises and instability with their payment infrastructure + They have had tons of technical difficulties, communication fails * They sent this message to hosts this summer… “Payout for reservation check-outs between 28 June – 19 July will be processed by 24th July 2023 in one consolidated payment. Regular payout schedule is expected to resume by 27th July 2023.”“Payout for reservation check-outs between 28 June – 19 July will be processed by 24th July 2023 in one consolidated payment. Regular payout schedule is expected to resume by 27th July 2023.” * Hosts actually voiced their concern because ON the payment date - no payment to be found - then Booking changed their tune and said ok - new date August 4 * A lot of hosts have thousands of dollars stuck in Booking’s financial system. While expenses have to be paid TODAY, booking is making hosts wait until tomorrow… * A huge issue here is that booking.com is not really doing much to fix this - not really showing responsibility and this creates more distrust - hosts who are impacted, do not feel they can rely on the platform * Is booking.com insolvent? Well no, they have a diversified company - this is more of an issue with their financial infrastructure - this is mainly a tech issue more so than a finance one. * Comparison to other platforms: Airbnb and VRBO have generally done better with their payout records * Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Fill your vacation rental calendar with a Black Friday promotion. Why are I talking about this now? Because now is a great time to set up systems and start collecting emails from your previous airbnb guests. Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening.Join our new Facebook group* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
2 different airbnb horror stories, we got a situation!1. Guest caught cheating...wife asked host about it - what should she do? 2. Domestic violence happening at the vacation rental? What is a host to do?
Domestic violence is not a joke, please report any incidence of domestic violence to the appropriate authorities and 911, you may save a life.Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening.Join our new Facebook group* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
I have used so many thermostats and many disappointed me...awful connectivity issues. You want one that works for your short term rental and does not make you work for it.Imagine losing connection every time you want to check it or change the temp...now I am not sponsored or affiliated with any company, but there are definitely some that I avoid because of these connectivity issues. * Which thermostats worked for my airbnb * Which thermostats to avoid in your vacation rental * Real life connectivity issues
Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening.Join our new Facebook group* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
My reaction to the Business Insider Article "After an unpredictable summer, Airbnb and Vrbo operators are deciding if the headaches of hosting are worth it"Key highlights:* Airbnb and Vrbo demand is strong this summer, but a glut of supply continues to pinch hosts. * One host said he felt the need to find a niche, as an engagement destination, to stay competitive. * But some hosts said, even with the demand, the headaches of hosting are no longer worth the money.
Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening.Join our new Facebook group* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
My case for why you should always charge your airbnb guests if they damaged your stuff. The twist here is I will include a message template you can deploy to 'kindly' ask your guests without putting them on the defensive. Some customer service skills will make this whole awkward process - more comfortable.Topics discussed:* When to use separate vacation rental insurance vs AirCover * Airbnb is paying out less than they used to * How to message your guests when damage happens * Timeline for the resolution center process and the 14 day window * What to do if Airbnb denies your resolution center claim
Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening.Join our new Facebook group* Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com * This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
How can you leverage cost segregation and bonus depreciation in your airbnb or short term rental business to save big time?
- What is bonus depreciation
- What is cost segregation
- How to use depreciation to offset your ordinary income
- Material participation rules
- How much does a cost segregation study cost?
The PDF notes will be available in the facebook group.
- Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening.Join our new Facebook group
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
Should you get an LLC to protect your Airbnb? First off, I am not an attorney. Please consult you attorney or tax professional for your unique situation. These concepts will be basic - there are people who studied law for years, case law changes, and more to it than this podcast episode. This is to get you as a short term rental owner, started in the right direction and avoid a total loss, total wipe out scenario.
- Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening.Join our new Facebook group
- Connect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
- This episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
What is Hopper Homes? Should I list my vacation rental or airbnb on Hopper Homes?* How the app works * Hopper vs Airbnb * How much does Hopper charge? Hopper pricing * Hopper policies * Hopper's guest experience
Do you have an experience great or bad with Hopper Homes? P{ease share it with me by email, I would love to hear it!Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening.Join our new Facebook groupConnect with Me: john@vacationhomehelp.comThis episode is brought to you by the Vacation Rentals with John Newsletter my very own email newsletter every Friday that features 4 bullet points highlighting cool things I found this week in the short term rental world including apps, books, tech, new hacks, tricks, articles, and other weird but interesting short term rental stuff of value that I stumbled upon. It's free and will always be free. You can subscribe here.
In this episode of Vacation Rentals with John, you will learn* Brief history of Vrbo.com * How Vrbo is different from airbnb * John's take on Vrbo's customer service * Which is cheaper VRBO or Airbnb * How fast are payouts on VRBO * Can you still sign up for the flat fee subscription model over pay per booking?
Connect with John* Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening. * Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohn * Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here. * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johncandelario/
John is on a mission to help make learning short term rentals easy, free, and accessible to all. Please subscribe to show your support and receive updates.
Base price is important in the short term rental game. This episode will walk you through how to set your base pricing.
- Why base price is important on airbnb, vrbo, and booking.com
- How to use base price to set your pricing strategy
- Why having an affordable baseline price is king
- A spreadsheet to help you find your base price available to all listeners...
I developed a spreadsheet that can help you find your baseprice. It will be available in the 'Files' area of the new facebook group that you can join here. ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnWant to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening. Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
How to Check Your Airbnb Ranking* Finding out where your vacation rental ranks depends on inputs * What inputs drive your ranking * There are infinite combinations of rankings * Why ranking changes every day * Does this apply to Booking.com and VRBO?
Want to support the show and help me create more short term rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening. Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
On this episode I will share how to cut the fat out of your airbnb cleaning process so you can save time and money. * What items should I remove from my vacation rental to make turnover more efficient * How can I help my guests during their stay so checkout and turnover is smoother?
Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening. Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Today I will discuss outsourcing vacation rental responsibilities to save time without losing the soul of hospitality.
- Outsourcing vacation rental maintenance to the right person
- Outsourcing short term rental cleaning to the right person
- Property management systems for vacation rentals
- Outsourcing bookings to vacation rental managers
- Why you need to be careful when setting up vacation rental automation tools
- Food for thought when outsourcing to keep it real...
Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening. Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Want to support the show and help me create more vacation rental content? Please leave a rating or review wherever you are listening. Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Lower the risk of financial loss with a lower airbnb clean fee. This little hack will save you big time! Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Can you confidently describe your vacation rental in 1 minute or less? If not, lack of clear messaging may be holding you back from your greatest potential.
- Your marketing message has to be clear to find your ideal guests
- Avoid commoditizing your vacation rental and avoiding price war
- Competitive advantage through your marketing message
- Going in the wrong direction, change course.
- Elevator pitch test
Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohn
Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Bloomberg Article ---> https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2023-08-10/why-being-an-airbnb-host-is-much-harder-than-in-the-pastJoin our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Jorge Contreras became a self-made millionaire from airbnb arbitrage - is it still a viable way to grow?Add Jorge on Instagram here ---> https://www.instagram.com/thejorgecontreras/Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Connect with Dale Smith on LinkedIn!https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalesmithpvl?originalSubdomain=ukJoin our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Vacation Rentals with John. How to beat the Airbnb Algorithm.Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Vacation Rentals with John. How to beat the Airbnb Algorithm.Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Vacation Rentals with John. How to beat the Airbnb Algorithm.Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Vacation Rentals with John. How to beat the Airbnb Algorithm.Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohn
Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Vacation Rentals with John. How to beat the Airbnb Algorithm.Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Vacation Rentals with John. How to beat the Airbnb Algorithm.Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohnEmail me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Vacation Rentals with John. How to beat the Airbnb Algorithm.Join our new facebook group ---> facebook.com/groups/vacationrentalswithjohn
Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com if you want to connect or if you want to receive the newsletter, please email me here.
Subscribe to the newsletter for free exclusive resources and updates Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
Subscribe to the newsletter for free exclusive resources and updates Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
Subscribe to the newsletter for free exclusive resources and updates Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
Subscribe to the newsletter for free exclusive resources and updates Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
Subscribe to the newsletter for free exclusive resources and updates Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
Subscribe to the newsletter for free exclusive resources and updates Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
Subscribe to the newsletter for free exclusive resources and updates Email me: john@vacationhomehelp.com
Here is the tweet about the airbnb crash and the data that 'shows' May 2022 to May 2023 avg. room revenue from both AirDNA and Alltherooms and the Twitter firestorm from the viral data. Need help with your vacation rental? john@vacationhomehelp.com
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If you want more traffic to increase your vacation rental bookings, you need to understand backlinks and how they help SEO. Are you an airbnb host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive vacation rental resources at this link
Are you an airbnb host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive vacation rental resources at this link
Airbnb SEO. This Vacation Rental Company Gets over 44K Monthly Clicks to Their Booking Page. How You Can Choose the Right Keywords to Generate Big Traffic.Tools I Use:https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/Website I reference:smokeymountainvacation.comAre you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
Airbnb SEO. Is it worth getting my vacation rental on Google with SEO?(00:00) Introduction(02:30) Why do we pay Airbnb?(06:00) How are you going to promote a direct booking site? (06:45) Real life example(11:40) How large vacation rental brands grow with big budgets(15:00) More keyword examples to show how many potential guest leads(19:40) Closing Are you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
In this episode I share a couple of things that are working this summer like flexible cancellation policies, promos, and eliminating your clean fee.Are you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
Today, we have Lynzee Krohne, a marketing expert and Founder of Leo and Laine on the show to discuss the importance of digital presence for your airbnb or vacation rental property. Read the key points here.Time Stamped Notes(00:00) Introduction(02:00) What is a digital presence(05:30) Avenues you may be forgetting(06:15) Tips for a new owner(08:20) Be the concierge connection(10:00) TikTok, Instagram, and Short Form(11:45) Go beyond the Airbnb character limits(12:55) How Lynzee got into marketing(15:25) A recap on what to focus on(18:07) Marketing for managers vs individual hosts(20:00) Wrap up and how to contact LynzeeLearn more about Lynzee Krohne and Leo and Laine.Follow:FacebookInstagramAre you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
In this brief episode, I share easy-to-implement incentives you can add-on to get your guests to say YES.
Time Stamped Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(01:20) Gas Cards to Incentivize Guests
(02:00) Think like a hotel, offer free late checkout
(02:40) Partner with local restaurants to offer a complimentary dinner
(03:40) Scrap the extra itemized fees
(04: 22) Revisit restrictive rules like no pets, no locals
(06:10) Leverage your past guest relationships
Are you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
Vacation Rental & Airbnb Hosting Tips: 8 Things I Wish I Knew.(00:00) Minimum night stay requirement(01:29) Reviews(02:22) Airbnb and Vacation Rental Pricing (04:45) Outsourcing(06:15) Using Instant Booking(08:40) Furnishing your Airbnb(10:31) Expectations when starting Airbnb (12:20) Celebrating the small wins and learning from the lossesAre you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
Unpopular opinion, however it needs to be shared.
(00:00) Introduction
(00:30) Reasons why you should not invest in a short term rental right now.
(02:14) Airbnb stock tanked. What does it mean?
(03:15) More unhappy hosts as airbnb platform prioritizes cheaper properties.
(06:00) If you are still going to buy what kind of rental to target.
(6:50) Exceptional homes are doing well
(08:53) Cash buyers with track records who understand competitive advantage can win
(10:45) Examples you can use as inspiration to differentiate your rental property
(15:45) Closing thoughts
Are you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
Today I go over some questions asked by hosts, friends, and listeners.
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Intro
(00:01:10) What to do about finances with so many startup expenses?
(00:03:16) Camera caught more guest than allowed, what do I do?
(00:08:20) An airbnb guest stole from me what do I do?
(00:09:51) Can you prevent a guest that gave a 4 star review from staying again?
(00:11:44) Dealing with an extremely difficult guest.
Are you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.com
Have a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
Airbnb rolls out their much-anticipated 2023 Summer Release with 50+ Upgrades! Find out what they are in this episode. Full summer release text hereAre you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
Are you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
Talked about on this episode:
facebook.com and reddit.com for groups of other hosts and owners
vacationbythemouse.com example of a property manager that shows the nightly rates and season dates.
evolve.com --> you can look up other rentals to benchmark against here.
Are you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
Blog post with highlightsAre you a host? Want to collaborate? Email me here: john@vacationhomehelp.comHave a question you want answered on this show? Email me. Subscribe to the newsletter for exclusive resources at this link
Key highlights:
- Slowdown from last year
- Bookings are coming in VERY last minute...
- May want to consider turning instant booking, lowering minimum night stay restrictions, or advance notice rules
- Many host are underperforming, but there are also hosts outperforming
Contact me, let's talk! john@vacationhomehelp.comInterested in sharing your hosting experience? Email me at link above.
Check out the AI challenge discussed in today's episode! Need a direct booking website? Contact john@vacationhomehelp.com and I can point you in the right direction so you can secure more direct bookings without platform fees ;)
5 Day AI Challenge: https://ibooked.online/ai
More about ibooked.online and Bart:
Websites https://www.ibooked.online
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online/
LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/bart-sobies/
Want to chat?
Interested in being on the show?
Have an Airbnb question you want answered live on the show?
Reach out to John at john@vacationhomehelp.com
Want to chat, have a question you want answered, or participate in the show?
Email me john@vacationhomehelp.com
Subscribe to the newsletter for free exclusives to help your grow your airbnb business.
Need an airbnb cleaning service? Visit vacationhomehelp.com
Mention this podcast for $99 off your first cleaning appointment.
Research to understand Airbnb ranking factors...
https://www.reddit.com/r/AirBnB/comments/6113kx/ranking_of_listing_factors_correlating_to_search/
Want to chat, have a question you want answered, or participate in the show?
Email me john@vacationhomehelp.com
Subscribe to the newsletter for free exclusives to help your grow your airbnb business.
Need an airbnb cleaning service? Visit vacationhomehelp.com
Mention this podcast for $99 off your first cleaning appointment.
Want to chat, have a question you want answered, or participate in the show?
Email me john@vacationhomehelp.com
See the vacation rental airbnb cleaning checklist items here.
Need an airbnb cleaning service? Visit vacationhomehelp.com
Mention this podcast for $99 off your first cleaning appointment.
Quick run down on how to write a powerful airbnb description that hooks potential guests.
Mentioned in this podcast:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/51108720
Subscribe to John's monthly newsletter for listener exclusive resources, templates, tools, and strategies to grow your airbnb business.
Want to be on the show and help other hosts? Email me at john@vacationhomehelp.com
Best Instagram Link Shorteners:
https://sites.google.com/view/instagram-bio-link/blog/best-instagram-url-shorteners-for-custom-bio-links?authuser=0&pli=1
Example of a perfect Instagram profile you can take inspiration from:
https://www.instagram.com/quietshelters/?hl=en
Hi everyone! John here. In today's episode I am honored to have Heather Morgan with us. She is the Owner of Quiet Shelters. Here are a couple of reasons to listen:
- She has a perfect review score and is a SuperHost on Airbnb - if you read her reviews this is EXACTLY the type of feedback you want your guests to leave.
- Hosting style is personal and holistic - not cookie cutter. This is a perfect example of why it is important to be personal with your guests
- Writing style and description paints a picture of what you expect when you travel to her 2 homes. If you want to know how to entice guests and leave them wanting more, her property descriptions are exactly how you do it. The writing is very strong and definitely converts lookers into bookers.
- The direct booking website also showcases her area, which is what a direct booking site should do to really drive home value for prospective guests looking to travel to your area.
- While lots of owners and hosts are experiencing a slowdown in bookings, her listings are staying booked months out. This is a combination of factors I am sure...like having a great home, hosting skills, optimized listings, and personal touch.
Here are links to learn more and hopefully book a future stay.
Website: www.quietshelters.com
Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/h/quietshelters and https://www.airbnb.com/h/quietshelterslogcabinrefuge
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quietshelters/
Listen to the Quiet Shelters Playlists: https://open.spotify.com/user/t2d1nq60bkn4a0ptcdztxy02h
https://www.airbnb.com/h/quietshelterslogcabinrefuge
www.quietshelters.com
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Contact me here john@vacationhomehelp.com
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Key highlights of the Airbnb 2022 Winter Update
Episode Explaining AirCover
How does airbnb payment work?
Learn:
- How long will it take to receive my airbnb payout?
- Why your payout amount looks different than expected
- Delays, fees, payment speeds, methods, and more.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
How to write an airbnb review. (For your airbnb guest)
- 6 simple steps to learn how to write a review for your guests
- Positive Review Example
- Negative Review Example
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
John's picks for linens and towels.
I do not earn commission from these recommendations - these are my recs for linens and towels.
Walmart
Sam's
Costco
Amazon
Direct-Textile
Bed bug protectors
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Example of an IG profile for an airbnb that works really well!
https://www.instagram.com/fincafigueroapr/
Learn how to decline an airbnb booking request. Here are some legitimate reasons you may need to decline an airbnb guest.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Learn the two part fee that airbnb charges you, the host, and guests for using the platform. Why you should think of the fee as charged to YOU. (Hint: guest had $100 per night to spend, they are spending $17+ with Airbnb...)
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Source:
https://www.airbnb.com/resources/hosting-homes/a/how-much-does-airbnb-charge-hosts-288
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1857
Airbnb is now including the total price and prioritizing total price in their search ranking algorithm, learn how this impacts you on this short episode.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Source:
https://news.airbnb.com/airbnb-is-introducing-total-price-display-and-updating-guest-checkout/
Blog:
https://vacationhomehelp.com/blog/airbnb-cleaning-fees-included-total-price-search-results-complaints/
John discusses how much time airbnb hosting takes and how to calculate and think about your 'cost' of hosting.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Mortgage rates, inflation, and the economy are creating the perfect storm. Short term investing is a no for me right now. Note: this episode is about real estate investing and not about airbnb stock.
- Airbnb investing is a bad idea at the moment
- Vacation rentals are sometimes, a great investment idea. However, right now the outlook is bleak
- If you own a vacation rental, here are some things you should consider to save on costs and efficiently run your short term rental
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
What do you do when your airbnb guest is not responding or communicating to your messages? I share what to do from my past experiences.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Time just released an article about airbnb - Too Many Rich People Bought Airbnbs. Now They’re Sitting Empty
In this episode, I share several ways you can reduce operating costs to save money during this down period. I also share areas you should not cut corners on.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
John meets Steve Costa from Grand Welcome. They discuss:
- Vacation Rental Market Outlook 2022
- How Grand Welcome handles vacation rental pricing
- What platforms book the best out of Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO
- Inflations impact on the market
- How you can make you vacation rental stand out in a saturated short term rental market
Learn more about opportunities and listing with Grand Welcome here.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
In today's episode I will discuss:
- What questions to ask when hiring an airbnb cleaner
- Wall to wall method of short term rental cleaning
- How laundry is done at a vacation rental
- Why airbnb cleaning fees are high
- How vacation rental cleaning is different from residential cleaing
- Different types of airbnb cleaning services
- How to identify if a cleaner is being honest or BSing you.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Learn about Google Vacation Rentals and Google SEO for Vacation Rentals and Airbnb Hosts.
- Can I list my vacation rental on Google Vacation Rentals as of Nov 2 2022?
- What is vacation rental SEO? Airbnb SEO?
- SEO for vacation rentals explained in this short primer.
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
What is the average occupancy rate on airbnb?
How much can I earn with one airbnb listing?
Learn about what kind of occupancy rates to expect on airbnb and what is actually realistic (although this podcast will teach you how to defy 'normal' expectations with awesome operations and marketing)....
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
In today's episode I discuss some considerations when you are selling or buying an airbnb with existing bookings.
- Can you transfer airbnb bookings after selling your property?
- How to transfer property ownership of an airbnb
- Nightmare scenario when you do not transfer bookings properly
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
John discusses 7+ quick tips on how to spruce up your vacation rental listing with great photography. If you already have photos, don't skip this because you may have to revisit your photo spread to optimize for more bookings.
Examples of airbnb listing photos:
https://madmenvacationrentals.com/mad-men-magic-kingdom-house-galleries/
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
John discusses 5+ hacks to stage your airbnb for the perfect photos. If you already have photos, you may want to stage them to optimize your listing for more bookings.
Examples of staged units:
https://interiordesign.lovetoknow.com/Examples_of_Home_Staging
https://lightersideofrealestate.com/articles/photos-prove-power-of-home-staging
John discusses high-level setting up a direct booking website, costs and considerations you need to think about, and more.
Mentioned in this podcast:
To create a website for book direct - wordpress.com
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Is This the New Normal? Airbnb Bookings Fell off a Cliff. What to Expect and Is Airbnb Having an Engineering Issue?
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
Save Thousands of Dollars on Your Vacation Rental Taxes with 11+ Deductions for Your Airbnb
Subscribe to John's weekly newsletter for free resources and exclusives.
John shares quick tips you can put into action right away to rank higher on airbnb and get booked.
Here are 4+ tips to help you win with airbnb's algorithm.
Learn how to make your vacation rental more kid friendly and baby friendly to win more bookings. In a nutshell make it.
- Appealing
- Fun
- Safe
Listen to find out how.
In today's episode I will share:
- What is capital appreciation
- What is cash flow
- Why you should bank your periods of high cash flow for more challenging months
- Should you buy a vacation rental right now
- Biggest risk in short term rental investing
If you have not subscribed to my weekly newsletter where I deliver my top 5 insights for leveling up your vacation rental and free resources, you can subscribe here at www.vacationhomehelp.com/podcast.
Today I share my thoughts on the recent tweet from Airbnb's CEO Brian Chesky and what I think it means for your vacation rental business.
His tweet is below:
https://skift.com/2022/10/10/airbnb-ceo-says-fee-transparency-is-now-top-priority/#:~:text=In%20responding%20to%20a%20fintech,is%20why%20we're%20now
This is a brief how to on email marketing for vacation rentals. I explain how to do a newsletter, tools to use, what to include, and how to add value for your readers.
In a nutshell...a great newsletter = more direct bookings for your vacation rental. Listen to learn how.
Is your mindset a producing mindset or are you losing money by limiting your opportunities?
How some are leveraging the best tools out there for getting the word out while most are failing
Are. you neglecting the fastest way to grow your vacation rental business.
TikTok can get you in front of billions of people for free if you use it right. Why pass up the fastest growing social media platform?
Those who are first to this gold rush will win big. I talk briefly about how to set up your TikTok for a vacation rental.
TikTok Examples:
Cabin Rental with 45K likes
Luxury Airbnb TikTok
Private Vacation Rental in Miami with 7,000+ likes
Sign up for TikTok.
Should you obsess over occupancy or profit margin? Balance your income goals with value creation for your guests.
- ○ High hopes for high profits will kill your bottom line. When you are on the moon, but need to come down to earth with pricing expectations...
-
○ Shooting for totally occupied here is the issue with trying to maximize revenue this way
- Less turnover time so you will have a worn down, beat up vacation rental
- Your cleaners and maintenance staff will hate you and think you are crazy
(you are keeping them employed, but are constantly doing mission impossible and your guests won’t be thrilled)
-
Think of someone smoking or bringing a pet and then another guest checking in with allergies / high maintenance
-
Pricing tends to be lower you will have more parties and groups that will put wear and tear on your place for sure
- Replacing broken items and furniture will wipe out any value creation you thought you would get from pushing occupancy so hard
○ Balanced approach to pricing - set your rates to attract your ideal guest i. Premium rates because your place is super nice - you will be less
occupied, but your margins will be higher because you are charging more. Think about a fancy restaurant or the four seasons or a nice cruise ship -
not fully booked but they are making money vs carnival cruise which is
fully booked but is a party every night...different goals
- Market rates with discounts and promos for last minute, veterans, AAA,
seniors - I have seen these homes do well 10-15% Return rates 2. Low cost leader - can make money, however these places look and feel
nasty unless your operations are top notch and highly efficient. You will get bookings, people love cheap stays, but this is like renting homes in an area without a lot of crime. Higher return, more headache, higher risk.
○ Don’t obsess over occupancy, instead obsess over operations and running a great business, delivering value for your guests throw getting things right
- Obsess over the details that matter
- Make sure you are including the amenities and supplies you promised
- Comfortable beds
- Get local, offer local recommendations to eat and play
- Be attentive and personable
- Underpromise and over deliver. They didn’t ask for flowers upon checkin
or some snacks or a gift basket, but you delivered. They came for their child’s birthday - get some balloons. Over deliver, it will show in your reviews and people will come back for more and more.
John and Tim share experiences and insight on how they reduce barriers to booking.
Make it easier for the guest to book with you and do not scare them away with lots of itemized fees and sticker shock.
John and Tim explain how security deposits work to protect your vacation rental in easy to understand terms.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter for free resources to level up your vacation rental game. We have great stuff like rental agreement templates, sample guest books, and much more.
Heather Thomas of Pink Bubble Austin shares her Airbnb horror story experience with John.
Learn how Airbnb cancelled $100,000 of bookings for one silly reason in today's episode.
Learn more about Heather Thomas and Pink Bubble Properties Austin:
Connect with Heather: heather@pbaustin.com
See how Pink Bubble can help Austin, TX owners: https://www.pinkbubbleaustin.com/
https://www.pinkbubbleproperties.com/
Heather Thomas of Pink Bubble Austin shares her Airbnb horror story experience with John.
Learn how Airbnb cancelled $100,000 of bookings for one silly reason in today's episode.
Learn more about Heather Thomas and Pink Bubble Properties Austin:
Connect with Heather: heather@pbaustin.com
See how Pink Bubble can help Austin, TX owners: https://www.pinkbubbleaustin.com/
https://www.pinkbubbleproperties.com/
John explains why your local turnover crew and cleaning team is the foundation of your business. If you want to succeed, it starts with your local crew.
-
Airbnb smart pricing ? NO
- They are incentivizing more bookings at cheaper rates so they can earn a
platform fee 2. Here is math on that if they get 3 bookings at $100 a night vs 5 bookings
at $75 a night. Makes more sense to them to earn their percentage on the
5 bookings at $75 a night... * ○ Third Party Dynamic Pricing
i. Can be a smart idea, I am old fashioned and like more control and do things manually, however the newest tools are pretty great at forecasting supply, demand, events, and so on
- They are affordable, many charge a setup fee, then 1% or so on revenues - but they can net you ~5% more revenue because of their demand-based pricing algorithms
- Low demand nights can be filled with responsive revenue management so you don’t stay empty because your rates are too high in a slow spell
- Vice versa for the more expensive dates, you want to maximize revenue by charging more because of the high demand and lower supply...
- Hosts I have spoken to that use these tools are more sophisticated
operators and earn 10% more than hosts that do not. There are outliers,
however this is what I have seen 5. Get access to statistics and market research from the service offering
dynamic pricing 6. The cons:
1. Setup fees
2. Costs - 1% or more of booking revenue
3. Works better in major markets (they have way more data points to
pull from)
4. Constant updates require constant learning and adjustments
- For our recommendation on pricing providers, please reach out to us by email, which will be in the show notes.
Don’t scare potential bookers away. Optimizing the ‘other’ fees.
Other fees! Let’s go. We have talked about this several times, but its super
important to get the point across
○ Clean fees must be market, higher than normal clean fees can scare away
bookers
- I recommend setting your cleaning fee lower than competitors and eating
the difference if the clean fee is actually more expensive for you 2. What is worse, eating $25-50 on a clean fee or losing a $2,000 potential
booking?
○ Pet fees are acceptable if you allow pets though
○ Pool heat fees are seen as nickel and diming, my recommendation is not to do
this
○ Same with linen fees, seen poorly by guests
○ Guest service fees, yeah rip off
○ Any other types of fees are a no go
○ Extra person fee
- This one is ok, because extra people mean extra prep, extra linen right?
- Consider $15-25 per extra person. If it sleeps 10 and they bring 14 for whatever reason you can earn a small profit, but don’t forget to supply
them so they can be comfortable (remember Airbnb earns about 3-4x as much revenue from guests than from hosts so its in their best interest, not yours, to maximize bookings)
Seasonality & Pricing on Airbnb & VRBO: A practical approach to optimize for seasonal demand and rake in profits.
-
Seasonality is dependent on your market
- Some markets are flat demand all year
- Other markets have one peak season ‘Ski towns when the slopes are ready to be skied on’ often are more empty in the summer months when there is no snow
- Some markets are constantly busy
-
Florida, which I am most familiar with, has the following seasonality by rule of thumb
- Slow is September when kids return to school / middle of Hurricane
season - Christmas, Passover, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Holiday, Spring
Break are Peak - High season is summer when everyone is on summer vacation - Normal demand is the rest of the year with some exceptions... + Events do impact demand though, think for example, the Superbowl is coming into town, or Mardi Gras in New Orleans! That would be a reason to hike rates to match demand + Action steps: Peak season can be 2-3x your base rate, check comps. Some smart pricers block their busiest days until 90 days prior. While risky, you can charge as much as a 35% premium (or more) because there will be a lack of desirable inventory closer to the date. Again this is in some markets + If you are empty 45 days out, lower prices, if you are empty 2 weeks out, consider lowering prices if it makes sense for your finances to get booked. Remember do not price too low though, or you can attract a party crowd. + Do comparable analysis frequently (as much as once a month) to stay on top of trends. If you subscribe to the podcast, we will give you access to a comparables analysis worksheet
Optimizing Your Base Rate for Maximizing Regular Earnings
Episode 1 of 7 of our mini-series 'Airbnb Pricing Hacks You Need to Grow Your Bookings'
Get your free downloads here:
Get the comps analysis and nightly rates worksheet by subscribing to our newsletter 'The Five'
Show notes:
- Under conditions of ‘regular’ demand how much to charge to maximize your profitability
-
Neglecting one factor will hurt big time
- For example, comparing apples to oranges will not make any sense and you won’t get any bookings and each night you stay empty is burning cash.
- Get off to a great start with a strong foundation
- Analyze comparable listings first, then go from there
- Think of your market as a 5-10 mile geographic radius and then go on from there
-
Here is what makes a good comp set
-
Similar bedroom and bathroom count
- Don’t compare budget to luxury
- Apples to apples - condos and homes are not comps…a 3br single family to another 3br single family with similar furnishings and similar location is a comp.
- Gather 6-12 to make a good comp set
- Find the average and median rates across both weekday’s and weekends
-
After you figure out comps lets move to strategy - the fun part
-
Match and charge a reduced rate to drive highest occupancy
- Match market and deliver better
- Charge a premium and deliver highest quality
The small details matter. Don't forget the small details like restocking or checking your inventory. Assuming your cleaner or cohost is handling it sometimes can be a huge error. In today's episode I share a story from my friend Hannah's recent guest who gave her low marks on Airbnb because of the lack of attention to detail.
Attention to detail is everything.
- Being focused on a niche can help bring the riches
- Pet friendly example
- Event-friendly rental (think family reunion, team gather and not a party house)
- Escape to nature, getting away from computer screens - you can market this ‘unplugging’
- Business travelers
- By focusing on a core audience, they are more likely to enjoy and return. You can charge premium rates (as much as 25% more) when you have a niche focused rental that is executed the right way because you are speaking directly to emotion, desire, and need.
John and Tim talk about saving money on these high energy bills...
● Electricity prices jumped 16% on average the past year...
● Compounded with soaring temperatures, this is going to put a damper on profits
● Phoenix AZ has 6 months of summer of above 100 degree weather
● Actionable steps:
○ Control AC (still giving the guest some control, but automating when windows or doors are open a shut off toggle, etc)
○ Smart lights
○ Change air filter
○ Seal holes and gaps
○ Check that your water heater thermostat is set optimally
○ LEDs and efficiency bulbs
Is superhost status worth it in 2022?
What is superhost status ○ The "superhost" designation on Airbnb is a sign that an Airbnb host has gotten
consistently good reviews over at least a year of hosting. Airbnb checks the status of hosts four times a year to ensure that a superhost badge is still relevant for each host.
○ - Host a minimum of 10 stays in a year ○ - Respond to guests quickly and maintain a 90% response rate or higher ○ - Have at least 80% 5-star reviews ○ - Honor confirmed reservations (meaning hosts should rarely cancel)
- Is it worth it? Yes most of the time. It adds visibility and trust.
- Here is when its not worth it. When guests are being unnecessarily difficult or you are
- Losing sleep over it...
- Tips to maximize superhost status: Consistently deliver great guest experiences Respond fast and work on communication skills Maintain your property and upgrade it when needed Request reviews from your happy guests Damage control when you do get a negative review
- Can you lose superhost with one bad review? Yes absolutely if you do not have a lot of reviews, one or two can knock you out of superhost status...
Data From AirDNA
- Quality of reviews was the second biggest impediment to achieving Superhost status. Of the 345,000 hosts with sufficient bookings in 2017, only 37% (129,000) had a rating of 4.8 or above
- The remaining 112,000 hosts did not qualify due to either a low response rate or canceled bookings.
- Our findings are clear that hosts earn significantly more revenue on Airbnb when they receive the Superhost stamp of approval.
- The uptick can be seen in these key performance indicators:
- Experiencing an 81% higher occupancy rate
- Earning 60% more revenue per available day
- A 5% improvement in listing traffic
- Putting in the necessary time, effort, and strategy toward elevating your host status makes a difference in your short-term rental profitability. This is further validated by Airbnb’s recent announcement regarding the launch of Airbnb Plus. The company is making a continuous effort to classify and reward hosts who provide consistent and exceptional experiences.
Generate buzz for your vacation rental and drive direct bookings with Meta (Facebook and Instagram)
This is a primer on generating direct bookings with facebook. The links below are youtube tutorials that I find helpful for beginners:
Creating a facebook business page
Using facebook groups and communities
How To Find Clients in Social Media Groups - Win Clients Without Pitching on Facebook
Facebook Tutorial For Posting On A Business Page
How to Use Facebook - Complete Beginner's Guide
Here are topics we will touch on:
- Set up a Facebook business page and good page URL
- Linking your website
- Including a call to action
- Make page message clear...
- Connecting instagram
- Promoting your FB business page on your page and with friends
- Posting on facebook for your vacation rental
- Using communities and groups to generate direct bookings
Hope this helps! We will do many episodes on the topic of Facebook marketing. Please review and leave us a comment in the review on what topics you would like us to cover! It helps us a ton - we want to help as many hosts as possible.
Tim shares his experience with Hurricane Ian in Florida with John, who just lived through Fiona in Puerto Rico.
Reflections on Hurricane Ian and Fiona...
Do not forget this simple way to get direct bookings (saving you thousands in the process) - friends, family, and casual conversation! Always be your vacation rental's best cheerleader...
An example of this so often overlooked is letting your friends and family know you have an awesome place, offering them the ‘friend’ discount to their friends as well. Ask them to share it. One host I know secured 12 bookings this way. 4 from friends, each friend told a friend, and so on. Best of all, no service fees so the guest won, host won, everyone won
Every conversation you have about vacation, bring your place up in a non-braggy way. Not like, I have a place in the Hamptons...no just like ‘I love going to my vacation rental in Florida its a great way to unplug and be with my family, I started renting it to others and they feel the same...” drop this in conversation, always be selling...
Think outside of the box. Events, sports teams, conventions...do not let airbnb do the selling for you or they will take a fee off of ALL of your business.
Promote your business to the realtors you know and offer them a commission. You may think this is the same as Airbnb, but its not...you can drastically lower what you pay in service fees if you think of it in terms of wallet share. If you pay a realtor $250 for referring a client of theirs to stay with you its better than the same booking paying out $750 to airbnb...best of all once you have a couple great real estate pros that you know they will do the selling for you. Make sure you give them the tools to help you do this...
All in all, the actionable advice is to spread the word the old fashioned way!
John and Tim discuss what consistency means to them and how it relates to thriving in short term rentals. How to think about consistency...can you believe that no one wanted Walt's Mickey Mouse cartoons at first - but he kept on trying. He kept on asking...
Walt Disney struggled with bankruptcy, borrowing money and subsisting on beans from a can for YEARS until he had a hit with the Mickey Mouse cartoons in the late 1920's. His now famous movies: Pinocchio, Fantasia and Bambi were a bomb at the box-office when they first came out.
Walt was committed to "plussing". His word for constant improvement. You may experience setbacks, losses, mistakes, pitfalls However, over the long haul it is the small things you repeatedly commit too, that become habit, which will ultimately bring you financial success and personal satisfaction through this business. It is a great business, but it rewards those who are unshakably consistent.
John and Tim respond to the Wall Street Journal article "Welcome to Your Airbnb, the Cleaning Fees Are $143 and You’ll Still Have to Wash the Linens"
● Why are cleaning fees so high?
● Guest expectations and host expectations out of sync
● Average cleaning fees nationally
● Average cleaning fees in our market
● Hosts making guest do too many chores
● It was on tiktok, instagram, facebook, now in the Wall Street Journal
● Actionable step: how you can help your listing by having a reasonable cleaning fee and
checkout policy
Patience is going to be your greatest asset in this biz. You have great years, bad years, and everything in between. Just like real estate or your stock / retirement portfolio, you are in it for the long haul if you want to earn positive returns. John and Tim discuss how patience will help you maximize your returns AND your sanity.
Someone smoked in my vacation rental....what should I do to remediate?
- What do you do about the smokers that smoked your non-smoking rental
- How to think about penalties and fees for guests who broke the rules
○ Put this in your rental agreement, house rules, and listing
- Tim discusses the ozone tech and remediation and ozone safety, how long it takes
- How much does it cost to get rid of that smoke odor
- Will airbnb and VRBO pay out for this remediation?
- What else to think about (smoke staying in the walls, airing it out, smell getting in the
furniture) * How your cleaning crew needs to tackle it
Please rate, review, and subscribe. The support helps us help more hosts and keeps us neutral and helpful.
Is your vacation rental ready for hurricanes and other natural disasters? With hurricane season in full swing, John shares his Hurricane Fiona experience. This episode will go over what to think about to prepare for natural disasters and how to plan to protect your guests and your vacation rental property.
John and Tim share how to identify and prevent common vacation rental scams...
● This industry has so many scams so here are some you need to be aware of as a host
● The guest coming in to trash your place with the weekend party (What this request will
look like)
● The bed bug scam
● The your place is dirty scam
● The squatter
● The constant complainer
● I found a better rental scammer
● Extortionist
● How to prevent these from happening to you
● How to respond if you are in a situation like this
● Make your listing scamproof or scam resistant by your language and communication ‘non-nonsense approach’
Revisit this episode anytime you think a guest or prospective guest is up to a scam, lots of experiences shared here. Hope they help! Please rate, review, and subscribe the support means a lot to us, we are new and want to help as many hosts as possible.
John and Tim share stories of hosts and owners they know that sharply contradict each other. Some owners find great financial success and rewards, while others find heartache, stress, and loss. Know what to look for when investing and avoid losing thousands of dollars. In discussion, John and Tim share common pitfalls when you make the wrong assumptions, pay too much, or buy into an HOA or community with the wrong intent and rules...this discussion can save you thousands if you are in the discovery phase. Even if you have already bought, these experiences can save you money in your next vacation rental investment.
What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below.
Are vacation rentals dead? Is short term rental a dying asset class?
John and Tim discuss their take. While losses will be taken while nightly rates are low, there are huge opportunities for savvy and clever vacation rental entrepreneurs who practice patience. The outlook may seem bleak, however, this is when the best opportunities present themselves. Listen in today to learn about the current state of vacation rentals and how you can position yourself to come out on top.
Information overload: your guests have too much info, how simplifying your marketing will win big in 2022 and beyond
a. Your message needs to highlight WHO the property is for
b. Price needs to signal your ideal demographic
c. Description needs to match your headline and marketing message
d. Do not try to be everything to everyone, this is a recipe to win nothing.
e. Make sure your marketing is uniform across your listings, direct booking website, social media, email list
f. What simplifying your message looks like in 2022 - an example of good vs bad.
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
- If you would like to dive deeper into a topic, let us know in the ratings or reviews and we can do an episode with more info and insights.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
Dealing with people matters so much in the vacation rental business. If you are an airbnb host or in any business really, you must develop and work on your people skills.
In this episode, we will discuss how to deal with contractors including how to let one go that is underperforming. You will deal with tons of contractors as an airbnb host or vacation rental owner (cleaners, maintenance, handymen and handywomen, pool techs, furniture companies, designers, and more...) so this is an incredibly important skill to work on.
This short, but actionable discussion will cover the most need to know topics.
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
- If you would like to dive deeper into a topic, let us know in the ratings or reviews and we can do an episode with more info and insights.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
What to do when you hate your vacation rental manager
Do you hate your rental manager? A couple reasons why this may be true
- Fees are too high for value they are delivering
- They are not handling guest issues effectively
- They are not driving direct bookings and are solely relying on airbnb or vrbo
- They did not pay your taxes
- Poor reviews
- Poor returns
-
When it may be time to cut the losses and move on and how to do so
- Break agreement the right way
- Before letting them know, line up a cleaning company so you can go solo or another management company asking them questions to avoid hiring a bad one again
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
- If you would like to dive deeper into a topic, let us know in the ratings or reviews and we can do an episode with more info and insights.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
John and Tim discuss the reality of airbnb guest expectations in 2022 and how to think about and create a guest experience that can exceed expectations...
- Guest expect more, however want to pay less
- Buzz on the news about nickel and dime'ing with clean fees, pet fees, heat fees, etc.
- Sticker price is more expensive than what nightly rates suggest, bait and switch
- Guest are coming in expecting a whole house for less than the price of the hotel
- Twitter and TikTok people are saying ‘hotels are so much better’ as funny as they sound, we need to listen to even the most outrageous critics
-
How to win by not only meeting, but exceeding expectations
- Set expectations
- Deliver
- Exceed expectations by going the extra mile
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
- If you would like to dive deeper into a topic, let us know in the ratings or reviews and we can do an episode with more info and insights.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
John and Tim discuss social media for vacation rental owners who know nothing about social media
- Overview of major platforms (facebook, instagram, tiktok, youtube – there are others however, these are big hitters)
- You do not need to be everywhere try to pick one and crush it and then move to another (focus on one first)
- If you are not from the social media generation or not tech savvy hire someone on Fiverr or a family member who is familiar who can do it for you. There are also pros that do this and you can reach out to us for recommendations...
- Social media cost money - free posting or ads, things take time and you need to measure to see what is working and what is not (measure, measure, measure)
- An example on how facebook drives bookings
- TikTok example
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
- If you would like to dive deeper into a topic, let us know in the ratings or reviews and we can do an episode with more info and insights.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
This is our second talk about the blood sucking vampires. In this talk, we will answer more questions about bed bugs in your airbnb.
- What are bed bugs?
- What happens when your short term rental becomes infested?
- How to install bed bug protection
- How much do bed bug encasements and covers cost?
- Why you should really have two people to install bed bug covers
- More tips to protect yourself and your guests...
- Diatomaceous Earth - what is it and how it kills and prevents bed bugs
Here is a blog post about bed bugs where you can find the amazon links to order your encasements. You can find links to chemicals
This is a link to our first bed bug talk
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
John and Tim discuss the airbnb service fee. In the Disney World market (Osceola County - Kissimmee, FL) it is taxable and their tax office literature states you must pay tax on airbnb's platform fee. Does not sound fair does it? However, you must do due diligence to see if your local tax office will charge you on airbnb's platform fee as well or you can end up in thousands of dollars in penalties during an audit. When we say taxable, we are referring to lodging tax, occupancy tax, bed tax for vacation rentals.
Have more questions about this topic and want to ask John? Message John and he can steer you in the right direction john@vacationhomehelp.com
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
In this episode, John and Tim answer common questions from their experience with pool heat.
This episode is for those hosts who have a pool or plan to have a pool in their vacation rental.
These are key highlights and questions answered:
- Should you charge guests for pool heat?
- How much should you charge for pool heat?
- Is the pool heat fee taxable?
- Common pitfalls and complaints with pool heat and how to solve for them
- How to not 'nickel and dime' your airbnb guests with pool heating fees
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
John and Tim share the 6 building block to start a new airbnb listing. This is a quick overview of steps to take when first listing a property on the OTAs.
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
John and Tim share the 6 building block to start a new airbnb listing. This is a quick overview of steps to take when first listing a property on the OTAs.
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
John and Tim share their experiences and tips about airbnb amenities and supplies to provide your guests.
Highlights:
- Think about getting your guests through the first couple of nights in comfort, don't make them run out to the store
- At a minimum leave airbnb essentials
- Add soap, shampoo, conditioner, plenty of linens and towels, kitchen supplies, bathroom supplies and more
- Add a welcome gift and these extras for luxury stays or to add 'wow' factor
Learn more in the episode...
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
In today's short episode, John and Tim discuss wifi at your airbnb or vacation rental.
- How fast should wifi be at an airbnb?
- How much does wifi costs for our short term rentals
- How many devices guests can actually use at one time on your wifi
- What to think about when setting up wifi
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
In this short episode, John and Tim discuss the right frequency to deep clean your airbnb.
- Why deep cleaning is important
- What deep cleaning is
- How frequently to do it and why
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
Optimize Airbnb Titles to attract 3x as many bookings
- This is just one step in your total Airbnb optimization strategy, there are many other things to consider and plan to optimize to get the full effect. This is a starting point.
- Appeal to your audience
- Use the airbnb character limit wisely 50 characters
- Abbreviations are your friend
- Use descriptive adjectives not generic ones….
- Don’t use all caps
- Highlight your finest features
- Emphasize recent upgrades if you made any
- Any nearby landmarks or parks? Mention it
- You want higher clicks, meaning higher click through rate which means a higher conversion rate - more bookings
- If you have, which you should, your own direct booking website mention the name of your brand in the front. Smart guests will google the name and find you to book direct. This is if you are set up for this though. If not, go with a catchy title instead.
- Right now people love promos so if you are offering one add it in the front 10% Special
Examples:
Spacious 4 BR Near Hollywood Beach – 7 Min Walk
Luxury SoFlo Beach Home Perfect for Romantic Weekend Getaway
Enjoy Sunsets at Fully Equipped 3BR Condo at the Beach
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
Welcome books are a first impression and they help your guests navigate your rental. We will provide you with a guest book we actually used in Tim’s rental so you can see how one should actually look. Link. to come, please subscribe to our email list to receive a copy.
- We recommend having one custom done for your rental
- It should include how to use appliances, TVs, what to do in emergencies, closest shopping, medical, attractions, fire department info
- Fun facts about the home
- A letter from the homeowner
- House rules, a big one
- Checkout procedure
- How to Property Access (lockbox code, garage code, gate)
- Router/Internet restrictions
- Thermostat
- Hot tub or Fireplace
- Barbecue
- Swimming pool instructions
- Washer and Dryer
- Kitchen Appliances
- TV/DVD Player remote control
- Netflix/HBO/Hulu
- Transportation, local ordinances, noise,
- Something personal, where to find you after their stay
Give them a printed copy and a digital copy.
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
Cameras in Airbnbs.
Don't creep out your airbnb guests. How to strategically use cameras to add security to your vacation rental, without being a creep.
Highlights:
- Camera and video doorbells, great in most cases not so great in others
- Most guests think its intrusive, but you can still protect your property in a tasteful way
- Pool cameras are a no no, I went to an airbnb and felt weird they had one pointing at the pool the whole time like what if your kids are swimming in the pool and someone is watching them…
- Try not to interact with guest with your video doorbell its creepy
- But the cameras can save you big sometimes like if someone is throwing a party. In Florida there was a murder at a popular resort, the ring camera picked up the faces and helped solve the case. The criminals were so brazen they dragged out the person with no mask on and the cameras helped here...
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
In this episode John and Tim discuss their experiences with clogged drain lines and how they can mess up your guest's vacation plans...how to think about this for a better guest experience.
- What happens when you do not clear drain lines
- What guests will usually say
- How to build this into your preventative maintenance routine
- AC horror stories
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
Airbnb Cost Management 101
In this episode, John and Tim discuss their money saving strategies on how to handle the costs of a vacation rental / airbnb business.
- We can be better informed and manage our cost better, we need to tell our money what to do not let our money talk for us and push us around
- Budgeting for hidden costs and unforeseen expenses is super important, having a piggy bank or emergency fund for the property is essential as things will come up
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
Airbnb and Vacation Rental Maintenance. Is preventative maintenance worth the cost? In this episode, John and Tim discuss:
- What is preventative maintenance
- How a preventative maintenance plan can save you thousands of dollars and hours of your life
- Why a great handyperson is essential
- Cost of maintaining a vacation rental with preventative maintenance
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness. Mention podcast and receive $75 off your first turnover cleaning (subject to certain exclusions).
Vacation Rental and Airbnb Investing Beginner Lessons and Experiences. How to find the best short term rental markets to invest in 2022.
- This topic has been beaten to death by real estate brokers and management companies on the podcast circuit, but we want to share our experience anyway - these tidbits may prove helpful on your next vacation rental venture
- Market saturation - asking around facebook groups and using tools like airdna (although you do not want to solely rely on these tools…)
- Can you find reliable help in that market? If you have an obscure location this may be harder than if you are operating in a tourism market and there are companies that cater to vacation rental businesses - this is huge
- Home values, right now they are dropping across many markets
- White sandy beaches, national parks, theme parks…
- Lenient airbnb laws
- Look at average daily rate, cap rate, occupancy rates
- ROI with a mortgage, you are looking at 5-10%... most people are breaking even if they are doing it right.. When you cut out the mortgage its much higher 12-20% in some cases more than that if the operator is exceptional
- Be contrarian sometimes, if you go where its hot right now…well the opportunities have probably dried up and the hotness is reflected in abnormally high property prices, lots of building activity, and saturation in the rental market
- Your lifestyle is huge, like if there is somewhere you NEVER want to be…yeah do not suggest renting there. Maybe people say it has great roi but its like trying to own a business you know nothing about your chances of success are slim to none there is too much competition in this for that kind of thing…
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
In this episode of Vacation Rental & Airbnb Mastery, John and Tim discuss pricing your vacation rental during inflation and recession. Please rate, review, and subscribe. If you have a question that you would like us to answer on the podcast - let us know! Leave us a review with your question or shoot us an email and we will review and answer on the next episode.
Highlights and Tips:
- Rates are going down across the board
- Some listings going as low as $30 / night... competition and saturation are pressuring nightly rates
- Running promos / discounts may be a great idea this fall
- Checking pricing every 2-3 days to keep a pulse on the market will help adjust timely
- Avoid desperation, sometimes lowering pricing is not worth the wear and tear that will come along with party guests
- Review what your breakeven costs are to pay your expenses so you know how to set your pricing strategy
- Reach out to past guests and offer a discount if they return
- You may want to accept less than breakeven sometimes to cover your expenses, but not too low that you have party guests out of desperation
- More tips in the episode!
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Airbnb Rentals. Why Supplementing With Long-Term Airbnb Stays May Be Right for You.
Long-term airbnb stays can be an attractive option
- Seniors, travel nurses, college students, working professionals need longer term places to stay (Tell story about family traveling to visit family sick in the hospital and how it was a good fit for them)
- The nightly rate will be a lot lower in some cases 30-40% lower, but it's made up for in occupancy. Note the wear and tear may be less, unless you have a really messy guest (Tell story of guest that stood for a month or two and left mountains of trash and moldy food)
If you would like to attract some long term-stays
- Make sure you have good working wifi and proper amenities
- Set expectations with your guests about how often you will be in touch
- Consider offering monthly discounts and advertising on websites also geared towards longer-term stays
- Make sure your rental is properly licensed for this, in most cases you need a lease and this needs to be reported to local tax collectors and licensing boards…a lot of hosts are doing this illegally - do not fall into this trap because you will have no rights if a squatter decides to overstay their welcome
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Airbnb Fees Explained. Airbnb Fee Breakdown...Just How Much Do Fees Impact Airbnb Prices?
- Guests often wonder why the price at checkout is so high compared to the search results
- Adding fees throughout checkout is known as ‘drip pricing’ we in the travel industry are the worst of all offenders (similar to airlines adding luggage fees!)
- We add clean fees, pool heat fees, linen fees, service fees, and taxes. So a rental at $100 a night for 4 nights can end up costing over $800 bringing a lot of sticker shock
- NerdWallet actually analyzed over 1,000 bookings across major US cities and we thought it would be great to share these insights with you
- Total base price made up 68% - close to 70%, cleaning fee 16%, 11% their service fee, and about 5% tax
- Baked in fees for hotels average only 4-5% of total cost - airbnb has dramatic differences
- Airbnb displays the price per night and the total on the right. However, airbnb does NOT allow you to search based on total price at the time of this recording
Our tips?
- Compare costs upon checkout
- Open tabs in your browser to compare this
- Do not use the app, use a desktop
As a host, do this to do your competitive pricing research and analysis
If guests stay longer…the prices drop so one night stay the base price accounts for 61% of price, 7 nights it goes up to near 80%, and at one month 86% so fees go down dramatically as taxes become lower or waived when you pass what is considered a ‘lease’
Articles:
https://www.republic-online.com/readitfee/news/just-how-much-do-fees-impact-airbnb-prices/article_4adae931-d736-56cf-b48d-f7a65b2b28a2.html
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
In this short episode Tim and I will share our experiences with keeping inventory, keeping stock of what is at your rental. You want to keep guests impressions great so you need to make sure your place is well-stocked for a comfortable stay. Your turnaround team, inspector, or yourself should use a simple inventory checklist to make sure nothing is missing for the next guest. In the show notes we will include resources to make one for your airbnb (we have a template that is free for you to use). We will go over briefly what to think about…
- Keeping it simple and effective
- What items are mission critical
- Why you need an inventory checklist
- What an inventory checklist should include
Vacation rental inventory template: https://www.igms.com/vacation-rental-inventory-checklist/
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
In this short episode we will discuss Airbnb’s new anti-party tech
- More sophisticated version of their under-25 system that has been in effect in North America since 2020 (guests under 25 with no positive reviews cannot book locally)
- This tech is US and canada - it identifies high-risk reservation and prevents those users from taking advantage of airbnb to throw wild parties
-
The system looks at
- History of positive reviews (or lack of)
- Length of time guest has been on Airbnb
- Length of their trip
- Distance they live to the listing
- Weekend vs Weekday when is booking request occurring
- And some other factors they have not named
CNN Article: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/17/tech/airbnb-anti-party-technology/index.html
Airbnb Literature: https://www.google.com/search?q=airbnb+anti+party+tech&rlz=1C5CHFA_enPR964PR966&oq=airbnb+anti+party+tech&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j0i512j69i64j69i60l2.4340j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Airbnb hosting, is it right for you? Find out if airbnb hosting is worth it for you.
John and Tim present 7+ questions and answers to help you determine if airbnb is the right fit for you. In this episode, they discuss what makes a good host versus a not-so-great host.
The ask and answer the following and more:
- Are your goals and expectations realistic?
- Are you ok with inviting strangers into your property?
- Do you have the time it takes to be successful?
- Are you going to be able to operate legally and in compliance with local and state
regulations and if you are doing arbitrage and renting from a landlord do you have
landlord permission? 5. Are you ok with the risks? 6. Are you great with people? 7. Are your neighbors and community ok with this?
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
John and Tim discuss the recent Airbnb Cancellation Policy Update.
Key Highlights:
Effective August 22, 2022.
Airbnb will impose fees subject to a minimum cancellation fee of $50 USD and a maximum cancellation fee of $1,000 USD. The fee is based on the reservation amount and when the reservation is canceled:
- If the reservation is canceled 48 hours or less before check-in, or after check-in, the fee is 50% of the reservation amount for the nights not stayed
- If the reservation is canceled more than 48 hours, and 30 days or less, before check-in, the fee is 25% of the reservation amount
- If the reservation is canceled more than 30 days before check-in, the fee is 10% of the reservation amount
When calculating cancellation fees, the reservation amount includes the base rate, cleaning fee, and any pet fees, but excludes taxes and guest fees. If the calculated cancellation fee is less than $50 USD, it will be adjusted up to $50 USD, and if the calculated fee is more than $1,000 USD, it will be adjusted down to $1,000 USD.
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode or blog article? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
John and Tim discuss what happens if a guest gets hurt at your airbnb. In this episode, they discuss what airbnb covers and what they do not and how to think about getting covered to stay fully protected.
Topics covered:
- Airbnb Host Liability Insurance
- Airbnb insurance
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
John and Tim discuss how to pay airbnb tax and get an airbnb license for beginners. Save money by avoiding penalties.
John discussing his experience with Central Florida vacation rentals, specifically Osceola County (the Disney area in Florida). However, the lessons here apply to all locations. Tune in to learn how to get your lodging taxes set up and airbnb license. Have a question for John? You can contact him directly at john@vacationhomehelp.com.
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
John and Tim discuss the importance of having a great response score and why your response rates and response times matter on Airbnb. In this podcast, they discuss what makes up your response rate as well as actionable tips on how to communicate with your guests to optimize your airbnb. Response rates and times impact the airbnb search algorithm, so getting this right will boost your listing!
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
John and Tim discuss the pros and cons of the Instant Booking Option on Airbnb.
Major cons include party guests and inability to screen. Major pros include higher ranking in search and higher chances of getting booked by the airbnb algorithm. This episode will arm you with the insight you need to make an informed decision for your airbnb listing.
Want free resources, templates, and goodies? Subscribe to 'The Friday Five' email list to get exclusives.
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
In episode #41 we talk about whether it is a good or bad idea to do same day turnovers (what are sometimes called back to back bookings) in your airbnb property. We discuss how nightmare situations can arise causing you to panic, and how to best prevent this. While same day turnover increases occupancy in some cases, risk-reward sometimes makes it not worth it! Find out why in this episode.
Want free resources, templates, and goodies? Subscribe to 'The Friday Five' email list to get exclusives.
Leave Some Feedback:
- What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below
- Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review. We are new so all feedback helps us improve and grow. We want to help as many hosts as possible in year 1.
Airbnb hosts John and Tim discuss how to spin a negative Airbnb review into something positive.
In this 10 minute episode:
- How to respond to negative feedback
- Waiting 14 days and not sending a request for review (do not review them during this period) -- absolute last resort
- How you can learn from negative reviews and show future guest you care
- Why long responses to airbnb reviews are better
- Do not get discouraged from one bad review, it will not ruin your airbnb business
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Please subscribe to our email list for exclusive tips and freebies! The 'Friday Five' is our weekly update to our listeners, last week we gave out a free vacation rental agreement template - we give out freebies like this every week to listeners on our mailing list so join today :)
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
John and Tim reflect on learnings. They discuss how to think about linens.
- Bed bug covers
- What type of quality you will need to satisfy your airbnb guests and still run a practical operation
- Too inexpensive leads to wear, too premium offers no return because most guests will not notice the difference
- Mid-grade linen is best (fitted bottom, top sheet, pillow cases)
- John and Tim discuss what covers are best (Hint: coverlets are faster to dry)
- Heavy comforters are expensive to wash and frequent washing is cost prohibitive (think $20-25 per comforter each turn!)
- Duvet covers are another option
- Strike a balance when choosing linen - you want quality, but you also want to be practical considering laundry is a constraint
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
In today's episode, Tim shares his story on how he grew his vacation rental business from 0 bookings to over $100k in bookings in under a year.
Key highlights:
- Find out who your target guest is (Families, sports teams, etc.)
- Visualize how they will interact with your home and build, design, or decorate for your target guests
- Design with your pricing strategy in mind
- Assemble a great team to support your airbnb business
- Be prepared to make mistakes, it is all part of the airbnb hosting journey. Learn from them, try not to make the same mistake twice, accept the fact that airbnb hosting is new to you and adjust - keep moving forward.
- Think about the environment changes, step back and evaluate, and course correct if necessary
- Know what you want out of airbnb hosting and what kind of guest experience you want to create
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Tim and John walk you through calculating simple ROI (Return on Investment) for a vacation rental or Airbnb investment. This is simple ROI, note there are other ways to calculate ROI for an airbnb property.
Calculating simple Airbnb ROI (Return on Investment):
- Monthly expenses - tally up your monthly expenses (electric, water, pool, maintenance, streaming, cable, etc.)
- Divide annual fees by 12 to get the monthly number
- Calculate per rental day expense by dividing monthly expense by number of days in the month
- If you are charging $500 per night subtract commissions paid to OTA and to property manager
- Subtract daily cost of rental (For example $238) to get net income
- Annualize this number and divide by the cost of your airbnb investment.
- With historical data, take your annual gross rents and subtract all commissions, OTA fees, operating fees and divide by the cost of the airbnb investment
- Please be very careful to not exclude any operating costs or it will inflate your ROI
- Do your own ROI and do not rely on advice from a salesperson
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
John and Tim share their outlook on the Airbnb economy in August 2022.
Key episode highlights:
- High inflation coupled with children returning back to school equals a slowdown
- Don't panic - make sure your airbnb is really clean, well maintained, and has a key differentiating factor
- Every area of the country has an off-season, so its best to not panic and be prepared for next year!
- Dropping rates may work, but you will have a long-term negative impact, parties, property destruction, and wear and tear
- Know your seasonal times for your area
- Having the right expectations helps you set the course. A lot of worry stems from unrealistic income goals
- Do not race to the bottom, by having a key differentiating factor like themed rooms or special amenities can protect you from competing solely on price (especially in a saturated or crowded marketplace)
- Your busy months will pay for your slow ones, you won't always be occupied if you are going after premium rates. You may be if you are offering your airbnb at low rates, but you will also have to deal with more parties and wear and tear.
- Clean fees, linens, supplies, furniture are all getting more expensive due to inflation so your costs will go up - meaning lowering your price will pinch you even more
- Stay grounded, review your financial model or revenue goals, and don't panic. Preparation for next year will alleviate some anxieties that come in hard economic times.
And much more...
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Tim shares an Airbnb Resolution Center Success Story with John. Guest smoked, denied it. Tim kept good records, costs were recovered.
Here are the highlights:
- You can be successful on airbnb with damage claims
- Documentation is key! Document everything post-checkout with time-stamped photographs, video, even using smart tech to monitor noise or smoking in your home
- For smoking, affordable tech is available that tells you where smoking occurred and what substance was smoked - does wonders with the airbnb resolution center
- The resolution center is more likely to rule in your favor if you follow their process. First, ask the guest to pay for damage they caused. If they refuse, go to the resolution center with great evidence, support, and documentation
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
John and Tim discuss the Summer 2022 Update by Airbnb
Here is the update literature from Airbnb
- Categories and what they mean to airbnb hosts and guests
- How the update impacts search and your ranking on airbnb (hint: cheaper listings seem to show up more often...)
- Split-stays - guests can now split their itinerary into two different airbnb properties
- AirCover - we have another episode that explains Airbnb's AirCover here
- Get What You Booked Guarantee - protects guests, but may be open to abuse
- Change to Airbnb's refund policy: Airbnb can ask hosts to pay for costs associated with moving a guest because of an issue caused by the host (we give a real life example in the podcast episode)
- COVID-19 cancellation policy (extenuating circumstances) has been cancelled go forward
- Strict anti-party measures
- Example on how to take advantage of categories
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Today, Tim and John discuss airbnb laundry times and how a superhost will handle laundry.
- You can only do 12-15 pounds in a 4-5 hour turnaround with a residential washer and dryer
- Most airbnb cleaners stuff the washing machine and do not actually wash the linens properly
- Laundry does make your cleaning fee more expensive, most airbnb cleaners will tell you they can do your vacation rental cleaning with no issues because they want to secure your business - but this is not what is ideal for cleanliness as shortcuts will likely be taken to finish
- Learn how exactly laundry will impact your airbnb cleaning fees
- Ask your cleaners 'how will my laundry be done'
- Wear and tear on laundry machines happens when you are trying to operate a short term rental on residential machines (when you probably need commercial machines...)
- Be realistic with your expectations so your airbnb cleaning service can meet and exceed your expectations. With unrealistic expectations you will blind yourself to the truth of laundry in your turnover process
- Most comforters and mattress pads in airbnb listings are not being washed - super gross! Vacation Home Help tells it like it is and explains what can be done and what needs to be taken offsite for a proper turn. Most cleaning services will not wash comforters which is super unsanitary.
- Bed bugs are a real issue, without cleaning comforters and doing proper laundry, you can allow bed bugs to infest your unit and it will cost you thousands of dollars in lost revenue
- Hot water wash, always.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
In today's short and actionable episode, John and Tim discuss how airbnb superhosts handle trash and garbage post-stay including:
- Putting your garbage rules in your airbnb house rules
- Understanding what your HOA or community does with trash so you can help them keep the community and your short term rental area clean
- Being detailed and specific in your house rules (please bag all trash, they will not take loose trash, etc)
- Asking your guests to help vs having your local team take out trash at the right time
- Communicating 3+ times with your guests about trash to avoid a huge mess on check-out
- Prevent your trash from being invaded by raccoons, alligators, and other pests by not leaving it out unsecured overnight
and more.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Tim and John share their vacation rental maintenance tips in under 6 minutes including:
- Air Conditioning and why changing your filters regularly is a must
- Clean the drains, buildup leads to backup stopping your AC and creating a guest problem
- Clear your drains (shower, sink, tub, you name it!) so they flow freely and do not become a renter complaint
- Batteries, including your remotes and smoke detectors. Doing this monthly prevents costly trip fees from your local service providers
- Television connectivity and making sure your TVs are working with wifi
- How outsourcing to a local service company can prevent expensive repair bills
- Check your smart devices routinely
- Fire extinguishers and first aid kits should be checked
- Appliance maintenance like cleaning your dryer vent to keep it running efficiently and fire prevention
- Cleaning refrigerator coils to keep your refrigerator blowing cold
....and many more airbnb host tips! Preventative maintenance PREVENTS expensive repair bills.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Have a pool at your airbnb? How to manage a pool like a superhost.
In this episode, John and Tim discuss:
- How to manage your pool
- How long to have your pool circulating
- How often should your pool service come to do pool cleaning
- More guests equals more frequency of service because of loss of water quality and chemical imbalances
- Why replacing your pool filter is important
- Seasonally adjust your pump
- Having a pool heater in your airbnb
- Good flow equals a crystal clear pool
- Why maintenance is important
- Select a pool company that will send photos or a report after service showing chemical levels
More top tips in this short, actionable episode.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Do you have too many house rules for your Airbnb guests? Don't end up on TikTok
Recently a guest complained about too many house rules at his airbnb stay and vented to TikTok. The video went viral. See the video here.
Can you have too many rules? In this episode John and Tim discuss:
- Why too many house rules can upset guests
- How to give a check-out procedure that is mindful of guest needs
- Finding balance in your house rules and checkout procedure
- Why having rules upon checkout is important (hint: reduces turnover time)
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
John and Tim discuss their top tips on preventing bed bugs from biting your guests and ruining your vacation rental business.
In this episode:
- How to protect your short term rental from bedbugs
- Purchasing the right protection for your mattresses
- What is remediation and how much would a bed bug infestation cost me?
- Real bed bug host horror story
- Why prevention is better and necessary
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Service animals are different from Emotional Support Animals. Both are different from pets. Find out what you need to know about hosting our furry, four-legged friends!
Here are the highlights:
- Legally, depending on where you are located, you cannot prohibit or deny a guest with a service animal
- If not legally, you will be violating the terms and conditions of the OTA you signed up with (Airbnb, VRBO) and may be at risk of getting your listing suspended
- Service animals are there to help with a disability
- Emotional Service Animals are not required to be accepted by hosts and are different from service animals
- What can happen if you deny a guest with a service animal?
- What questions can you ask a guest regarding a service animal?
- Hosting pets is a personal choice, but you can build a competitive edge by hosting pets
- There is a big market out there for pet-friendly airbnbs and short term rentals
- The difference between pet-friendly and just allowing pets (secrets to show pet lovers you care and are actually pet-friendly!)
- Cleaning required when you are pet-friendly
- Can you charge extra cleaning when a service animal stays? (hint: no)
See Airbnb's Accessibility Policy here:
https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1869/accessibility-policy
Two questions you are legally allowed to ask regarding service animals:
(1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform?
Please note, we highly recommend being accommodating and hosting service animals - it is the right thing to do!
Note: Federal Law does not require you to host in a single family dwelling a service animal, but you will be violating terms and conditions you agreed to when you signed up to use the OTA (Airbnb, VRBO) and can be suspended if you take this stance.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
In this episode, John and Tim discuss creating your own vacation rental agreement.
Spelling out the rules and guidelines for your home can set the right expectations for the guest. Most guests really appreciate knowing what your guidelines are and how it works. We will also share with you:
- Setting expectations with your guests through your rental agreement
- How to manage trash appropriately
- Going beyond the standard agreement that OTAs have for their guests
- Including your house rules
- Making it easy to understand and sign electronically prior to check-in
- Most host do not have their own rental agreement and how having one can help you protect your rental from pet damage, smoking damage, and more
- Outlining specific details about your home, how to work it, and penalties for house rules violations
- Not making your rental agreement too intimidating to prospective guests
More show notes:
You can use a service like pandadoc or docusign to have your guest e-sign.
See house rules episode here
See house rules template here
See rental agreement template here
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Show Notes:
Airbnb has essentials that you must provide your guest, but should you provide more? What amenities are absolute must haves?
- Think about what they need on their first few nights ,
- Roll of paper towels and a spare under the sink
- Spare toilet paper
- Plenty of garbage bags
- Laundry soap, laundry detergent
- Sheets for the dryer
- Dishwasher Pods
- Budget, Economy, Luxury - what is the difference in guest amenity and supply?
Supplying the guest for a great experience is actually very affordable and creates a surprise and delight element when you go above and beyond.
See Airbnb's Essential Amenities Here ---> https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/2343/what-are-essential-amenities
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Self-managing your vacation rental is a lot easier when you use technology. Vacation rental tech does not have to be scary and you can implement some basics to automate your vacation rental business. Here are some technologies we will discuss in this episode:
- Smart thermostats you can program remotely to save energy, money, and make the guest experience better
- Pool and spa remote automation to save money on trips and your utility bill
- Testing your remote technology to double check it works for reliability
- Noise monitoring to deter and control parties from your airbnb guests
- Surveillance cameras and doorbell cameras
- Smart lighting
- Tech that alerts you when an airbnb guest smokes in your vacation rental
Key message: Explore the technologies that are available and select those that make the most sense for you and your situation as a remote owner. It should both support your business model and level up your guest experience.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
When you follow-up with your Airbnb guests, great things happen. Today, Tim and John discuss 6+ follow-up tips to deliver a 5-star post-checkout experience on Airbnb and VRBO.
- Send checkout instructions 24 hours before checkout day
- Invite feedback from your guests to improve the future guest experience & respond to the feedback
- Follow up with your guests a couple of days post check-out to continue the dialogue
- Collect information to create follow up opportunities and stay top of mind (think holiday emails, happy birthday, etc)
- Appropriate frequency to follow-up with your guests & create repeat bookings
- Do not chase 5-star reviews as the objective, chase an awesome guest experience and the reviews will follow
The 5-star review is your report card as a host on how well you are hosting your guest. It is the direct grade of your guest experience. There are no shortcuts. Creating an awesome guest experience leads to great feedback, which leads to great reviews. When you do get a bad review, use it as a learning opportunity to fine tune your guest experience for future guests. Any review less than 5-stars is not necessarily a bad thing, it is an opportunity to grow and do better.
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new airbnb cleaning service? Try Vacationhomehelp.com so we can refer you to your new rockstar cleaning team and earn more 5-star reviews for cleanliness.
Today, John and Tim discuss how to improve your airbnb response time, responsiveness score, and boosting your communication skills to create a more streamlined guest experience. Give your guests confidence. This episode is for those who are new to hosting on Airbnb & VRBO. In this episode, you will learn in under 10 minutes:
- Setting the right tone for your guest's airbnb stay and improving confidence
- Why you should use automation wisely
- Actively listening, being personal, and actively communicating creates trust
- Better hospitality through proactively communicating pre, during, and post-checkout
- Proactive problem solving to help the guest during stay without skipping a beat
- Earning referrals through excellent communication
- What is an appropriate and timely response on Airbnb?
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Are you in Florida and need a new Airbnb cleaning service? Visit Vacationhomehelp.com to request more information on how you can save thousands self-managing (without those pricey commissions property managers charge) with the help of a local Airbnb cleaning team.
This is John, I have recently finished reading Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, two Untied States Navy Seals who taught me about taking ownership for mistakes and failures. It is hard to do it. In life and in your hosting journey, it is crucial to take a look at the person in the mirror - this is everything for personal and professional growth.
Tim is going to share an experience that he had to take ownership of, an experience that literally broke his heart - a guest could not check in past midnight. He is going to explain how he handled it. Best of all, the guest left pleased and has even referred friends that have booked for future stays! We will teach you the mindset on how to turn a bad situation around by doing the right thing by the guest, always. This is called Extreme Ownership.
In this podcast:
- Tim goes over the worst situation he has been in with a guest, why it was his fault, and how he took ownership and turned it around
- Why having a Plan B is important
- The mindset of Extreme Ownership and how you can use it in your hosting journey
For more information on Extreme Ownership, you can visit https://echelonfront.com/extreme-ownership/
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
Listen to our latest podcast and subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and RSS. Please rate, review, and subscribe - all support helps us grow our community.
Why the age old wisdom of more beds, more heads, more revenue is sometimes wrong. How many guests can you host in your airbnb without sacrificing the quality of your guest experience?
“Be very thoughtful about what your maximum number of guests is going to be, do not just instantly think more beds equals more heads, equals more revenue. I will tell you from experience this equation does not always work.”
Visit our blog and see the transcript here.
Highlights:
- How Tim’s mistake of thinking more beds, more heads, more revenues held back his potential and how changing that thought process helped him maximize revenue while reducing the risk of wear and tear
- Too many guests in too small of a space – the impact on Air Conditioning Units, Pools, and other factors to consider
- What is the maximum number of guests you can host and still maintain the quality of the guest experience?
- How many guests should you host in your airbnb space?
- The right number of guests may be less than you think - dining table rule, how many guests can you accommodate at your dining room table?
- Should you charge people for additional guests?
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com. Join our owner community on facebook (we love to connect with other hosts!)
John and Tim discuss house rules for vacation rentals. This is the perfect episode to hear if you are a new host or new to self-managing vacation rentals and need to know quickly what house rules to include.
Here is our house rules template --->
https://vacationhomehelp.com/blog/vacation-rental-house-rules/
Key highlights:
- Why set house rules for your vacation rental
- Smoking and pet rules
- Why detail matters and why being vague can hurt your communication with guests
- Checkout times and late checkout penalties
- Parking rules
- Checkout procedure
- Rules for the air conditioner
- Providing the 'why' to the guest
Please rate review and subscribe!
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https://vacationhomehelp.com/podcast/
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Protect yourself against damages from Airbnb guests. John and Tim explain 'what to know' about security deposits on the major platforms Airbnb and VRBO.
- Does Airbnb and VRBO actually collect security deposit money from guests?
- What is an authorization hold?
- How to collect a refundable security deposit off platform
See an example of an email template you can use to collect a security deposit off platform here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Vq-DDXrmke_LfLpHMlfSJGvoOIaSDc5c?usp=sharing
Want to know more, need more help or have an idea for a podcast episode? Reach out to us at john@vacationhomhelp.com
John and Tim discuss what to think about when writing or editing your property description on Airbnb or VRBO.
- Show and tell
- How to organize photos and captions
- Letting your best features shine
- How to incorporate house rules
- and much much more...
Here is a link to Tim's property listing on Airbnb if you need guidance --->
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/51826559
Today, John and Tim interview special guest Tammy LaVarro, Founder of Dream Vacation Interiors.
Tammy discusses her experiences and secrets:
- How to maximize rental ROI with great design
- Trends in vacation rental furniture and design
- Advice to vacation rental owners and airbnb hosts from a designer
- Making 'Instagram' worthy moments for your vacation rental guests
- How to think about and approach vacation rental design and furnishings
- What quality furniture means to vacation rentals
You can see Tammy's portfolio and connect with her by visiting her website, dreamvacationinteriors.com
You can see Tammy's work in Tim's own rental (awesome Toy Story Land Room - its got an etch and sketch TV!) maybe you want to book your dates for your next Disney family vacation? :) here --> storeybook.com
Want to join the Level Up Community? Please visit our blog at vacationhomehelp.com and subscribe for updates, free templates, and an invite to our exclusive facebook group where hosts can connect and share.
Need a vacation rental cleaner that gets it?! Visit vacationhomehelp.com and be matched with a rockstar airbnb cleaner!
John and Tim from Level Up discuss vacation rental safety essentials.
- The essentials like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and first aid kits
- Smart locks and keyless entry - do not set yourself up for failure with keys!
- Noise monitoring
- Cameras and surveillance - what is appropriate and safe and what is not.
- Have a pool? Make sure it is safe.
- Alarm systems in vacation rentals
Guests now more than ever are asking hosts about safety. After all, who wants to travel somewhere and not feel safe?
Need a new vacation rental cleaning company? Try the Vacation Home Help platform.
See Tim's Rental here ---> storeybook.com
John gives his 7 tips on what owners and hosts need to know heading into Summer 2022:
- Do not buy a generic rental - buy something that is unique - one of a kind
- Bidding wars - do not overpay for a property
- Do not rely on bad data
- Research regulations
- Think outside the box
- Do a purge - get rid of unnecessary or bad quality inventory in your rental - its hurting your brand and reputation
- Be smarter about your pricing strategy to not leave money on the table
This episode of level up is brought to you by Vacation Home Help - the fastest growing airbnb cleaning service in Florida.
John and Tim discuss what new government actions mean to you as an Airbnb host
- Disney vs Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Disney's special tax treatment and what it means for property taxes on vacation rentals and airbnbs (April 2022)
- Atlanta restricts Airbnbs to residents and caps the number of units to 2 (Updated April 2022)
- More Airbnb News and Updates and preview of our next interview with a vacation rental design expert
Please join our growing community at levelupbnb.io
Need a new vacation rental cleaning solution? Visit our sponsor at vacationhomehelp.com
John and Tim discuss alternatives to Airbnb
- VRBO
- Your own website helps guests book direct and avoid the middle man
- Booking.com? Is it worth using
- Facebook to generate bookings and guest loyalty
Level up your airbnb hosting skills by subscribing to the Level Up Podcast.
Join Our Facebook Community for more free tips, shared experiences, and templates
https://www.facebook.com/groups/277693517788423/
On our next episode we will discuss changes to Airbnbs rebooking and refund policy.
Need a vacation rental cleaner? Vacation Home Help can help you with your on the ground cleaning needs!
Check out Tim's rental here ---> storeybook.com
How to screen your guests like an Airbnb superhost. Avoid crazy guests, partiers, and rule breakers!
In this episode John from Vacation Home Help will teach you:
- How to screen your Airbnb guests
- Instant Book vs Request to Book
- Risk Factors to Consider
- What questions to ask guests before they book your Airbnb
Links to the stories about the deadly Pittsburgh party and Florida Airbnb shooting:
https://6abc.com/pittsburgh-shooting-mass-airbnb/11758822/
https://www.wistv.com/2022/04/20/graphic-police-investigate-deadly-shooting-airbnb-being-used-sell-drugs/
Want to join our free host community and receive free educational tips and secrets? Subscribe here vacationhomehelp.com/podcast
John discusses what you need to know about vacation rental licensing and what are vacation rental taxes
- Do I need to pay lodging taxes for my vacation rental?
- What licenses do I need for my airbnb?
- What is a vacation rental license?
- What happens when you do not pay lodging tax or operate illegally.
Need help with your lodging taxes or licensing? Want to find out what your lodging tax rate is? Reach out to John at john@vacationhomehelp.com
Is AirCover - top-to-bottom coverage for every host really all that it is cracked up to be?
Hosts were asking for a more straightforward process that actually covered damages. Airbnb listened and responded with AirCover.
AirCover by Airbnb Highlights
- $1mm damage protection
- $1mm host liability insurance
- Includes reimbursement for lost income (calendar blocked because last guest caused damage)
- Pet damage
- Deep cleaning including smoke odor and steam cleaning a rug if a guest was particularly messy
- Superhost priority routing and faster reimbursements
- 14 day filing window for reimbursement - no more rushing to get documentation out before the next guest checks in.
John from Vacation Home Help also discusses how Airbnb acts as judge and jury on damage claim cases and how it impacts you as a host.
Beware! If you use Airbnb, things just got riskier with changes to their refund and cancellation policies.
John gives an overview of Airbnb's new cancellation and refund policy change.
- What is Airbnb's new cancellation and refund policy?
- 72 hours vs 24 hours to report 'travel-related issues'
- Travel-related issues defined
- Hosts are now responsible for paying the difference if a guest must move accommodations
Level up your hosting skills with the Vacation Home Help Podcast. We want to grow our community of like minded hosts who want to help each other succeed by sharing experiences. We support each other! If you are a host and want to be on the podcast and share your experiences - please reach out to john@vacationhomehelp.com
Need a cleaner for your Airbnb? Visit vacationhomehelp.com - the fastest growing Airbnb cleaning platform for hosts.
What to do if your guest has a party in your vacation rental.
John shares an experience he had with a guest who had a party and caused property damage.
- How to recover quickly before your next guest checks in
- What to do to be reimbursed for damage
- How to keep a cool head while you recovery before your next guest
- Concludes with an overview of the Airbnb Resolution Center and the reimbursement process for guest damages
Level up your hosting skills with the Vacation Home Help Podcast. We want to grow our community of like minded hosts who want to help each other succeed by sharing experiences. We support each other! If you are a host and want to be on the podcast and share your experiences - please reach out to john@vacationhomehelp.com
Today we have a discussion with Tim Casey, CEO of StoreyBook Vacation Homes and Real Estate Investor
In Episode 6, John and Tim will discuss what to expect from a property manager. Learn what to expect and what to avoid including:
- What is vacation rental management?
- Marketing and Operations
- Making your guests feel safe
- Tim and John's outlook on the economy and the vacation rental market
- Understanding property management fees
- Secrets from a professional manager you can use to run your vacation rental business more efficiently and effectively
If you would like to reach out to Tim to chat you can reach him at tim@storeybook.com. If you are thinking about investing or have a rental you think he can help manage in Orlando, FL, please do not hesitate to reach out to him - he is very friendly!
You can also see pictures of his super cool 9 bedroom Disney rental (Orlando, FL) and make a booking at storeybook.com
Need a new Airbnb cleaning service? Try us out! Vacationhomehelp.com
Interview with Tim Casey, CEO of StoreyBook Vacation Homes and Real Estate Investor
In Episode 5, we have our very first interview with Superhost Tim Casey who will explain how putting the guest experience first will help you in your vacation rental business. We will discuss:
- How and why Tim entered the short term rental business
- How putting the guest first will help you stand out
- Industry's focus on occupancy rates harms the reputation of the industry and the guest experience...
- How he keeps his vacation rental in tip top shape
- Should I take same day bookings?
- His handling of a difficult guest experience
- Tim's perspective on the industry in general and how we can improve it
If you would like to reach out to Tim to chat you can reach him at tim@storeybook.com. If you are thinking about investing or have a rental you think he can help manage in Orlando, FL, please do not hesitate to reach out to him - he is very friendly!
You can also see pictures of his super cool 9 bedroom Disney rental (Orlando, FL) and make a booking at storeybook.com
Today we will discuss what to do if your Airbnb guest smokes in your vacation rental?
Highlights:
- House rules for no smoking
- Charging the guest a smoking fee
- Cleaning out the smoking smell with airflow and Ozone machines
- Need to collect a smoking fee or notify Airbnb of rule violation? We will discuss this.
This episode is brought to you by Vacation Home Help - the fastest growing community dedicated to helping hosts self-manage their properties. We help hosts by pairing them up with a local cleaning and maintenance professional and arming them with the right tools to succeed in their market.
Ep. 3 - Airbnb guest wants to bring their pet? What you need to know about hosting guests with pets (ESAs, Service Animals, Pets)
We will answer:
- Am I required to host an Airbnb guest with a service animal?
- Am I required to host an Airbnb guest with a emotional support animal?
- Should I be a pet friendly host?
- Should I charge a pet fee or pet cleaning fee to my guests?
Subscribe to our community where we will help each other grow our vacation rental businesses and reach our potential.
Brought to you by Vacation Home Help the fastest growing support group for hosts. Our team also has an extensive network of airbnb cleaners and vacation rental housekeepers if you need one.
Today on the Vacation Home Help Podcast we are going to talk about how to price your place on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms. Pricing your place is both an art and a science. How you price will make or break your investment. Price too high? You will scare away prospective guests. Too low, lots of occupancy but you will fall short of your potential and you will experience more wear and tear on your property.
Pricing your place is a 5-stage process:
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Researching your local competition and benchmarking
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Moving away from one-size-fits-all pricing and setting a strategy,
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Increasing prices for demand and seasonality
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Promotions and discounts to attract guests
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Adding extra fees (cleaning fee)
Sponsor: Storey Book Vacation Homes
Vacation rentals. They are so hot right now. So many entrepreneurs think its easy to cash flow their airbnbs in this crazy market. Is it as easy as it sounds? Can you earn rental income passively with Airbnb so you can focus on the things you care about most? Family, friends, health, living? The Vacation Home Help podcast is here to help you succeed in this hot new and competitive market. Learn how to host on Airbnb and how to manage your own vacation rental business. Let’s get started.