don’t forget to maintain your airbnb after it’s launched

Show me an Airbnb where you can set-it and forget it and ill…

The ideal goal is to create something (an amazing short-term rental), send it out into the world (list it somewhere for bookings), receive endless 5-star praise, and have an overflowing bank account, RIGHT??

Show me a business, any business, where that’s possible and I keel over eating my breakfast, or any meal really. Why is it that our mind tells us once we’re set up we’re finished with the job and nothing else needs to be done? I understand the allure of checking a box and moving on. I’m one of those people that creates daily checklists for myself so no matter what was happening throughout the day I feel accomplished.

This article is about reminding you that setting up and launching your Airbnb is a double high-five checklist accomplishment, but running your successful Airbnb business is about persistence and improvement.

So you’ve completed your Airbnb. Now what?

Once your Airbnb is complete and the listing is created you want to set your business up for ease and success. Have you completed the operations side of the business?

• First and foremost you want to make sure your technology is ready and automated.
• Is your team in place? There are some essential people you’re going to want to hire (or know who you’re going to hire)
• Have you called your accountant and setup your financials the way they want? In the US that would be separating Airbnb income and Airbnb expenses from your regular finances.
• How are your calendar skills? Get your time management dialed in. Turnovers happen in the middle of the day. Does that work for your schedule?
• Set a time to inspect and repair your property regularly

Schedule regular repairs for your Airbnb

Airbnb guests are going to be harder on your property than you are. They’re in an unknown environment, carrying luggage, and hopefully having a good time on their visit. That means the walls are going to get scratched, the hooks and shelves are going to wiggle loose and door knobs misalign.

Check for any damage to the walls, furniture, or plumbing fixtures

Once a month I inspect my properties to spot fix paint scratches and tighten or replace anything that seems loose. These are typically hooks and towel racks, but don’t forget to check the paper towel and toilet paper holders.

Despite having a fancy door knob on my tiny house it always comes loose, and nothing says neglected faster than someone having to wiggle a door handle for 30 seconds to get the door open, or closed and locked.

Guests scratch walls: I don’t know what it is with guests dragging their luggage along a wall when they arrive and depart but the black luggage streaks along the house are persistent. Magic Erasers are a great first start before you break out a paintbrush.

Install hooks into studs not wall anchors. If you notice hooks and holders are starting they are likely installed in just drywall not in the wood supports beneath the drywall. You really need your hooks to support a grown man doing a pull-up to have them survive your Airbnb guests.

Check your furniture. Do the legs seem loose? Sometimes it’s as easy as a quick turn of a leg to fix the problem and prevent your chair from snapping under the weight of a teenager jumping on it.

Upgrade the amenities in your Airbnb

This is the moving design and hospitality target most neglected by new Airbnb hosts. Remember design tastes change over time. Does your listing speak to the type of guests you want to attract?

Are your guests commenting about the amenities you supply for them? We supply high-quality local coffee beans for our guests, as well as luxury soaps throughout our Airbnbs. For our Airbnbs in the Outer Banks we leave a bottle of sparkling wine and a note welcoming them to vacation.

Linens and towels need to be regularly upgraded to make sure they look clean and feel great when guests are using them.

How are the kitchen towels, pot holders, and cleaning supplies?

Make sure all your appliances are working properly

conduct a routine maintenance check on all your appliances to ensure they are running as efficiently as possible. This includes checking to make sure all the outlets are working, the refrigerator is cooling properly, and all appliances are clean. I’ve had several guests who work in heating and air conditioning and every single one of them comments on whether the filters are clean or need to be replaced/cleaned.

We have had a terrible time with appliances during the pandemic. It seemed like everything was always broken and getting them repaired or replaced was a time-consuming and expensive process. If you regularly inspect appliances you won’t have to wait for your guests to educate you about it.

Don’t forget also to check any smoke detectors or fire extinguishers that you may have installed in your Airbnb as these can easily be forgotten about.

Make sure your WIFI connection is secure. People like to feel like you take privacy seriously, and a password on your wifi is a subtle cue about that.

Schedule a carpet and upholstery cleaning

A rug shampooer or a professional company can drastically extend the life of your furniture and carpet. Seasonal deep cleaning will help keep your Airbnb looking pristine and cleanliness is a critical part of the hosting process. Beyond having a spotless Airbnb you need your place to also “look” spotless.

Enhance the curb appeal of your Airbnb listing

Don’t forget to save some energy for the outside of your Airbnb. So much effort goes into the interior but keep in mind a first impression is incredibly important, and unless you’ve figured out how to get guests inside without seeing your dead flowers outside you need to work on curb appeal.

In Conclusion

These are just a few tips and tricks to make your Airbnb stand out from the crowd. Don’t forget to keep up with routine maintenance and upgrade amenities, furniture, appliances and linens on a regular basis. Enhance the curb appeal of your home and don’t forget to secure your WIFI connection. Finally, schedule carpet and upholstery cleaning to ensure your place looks and smells fresh for guests. With a few small changes, you can rest assured that your Airbnb will be a hit with all of your guests!

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Happy hosting friends!