Self-managing an Airbnb is a huge commitment. You will often need to allocate some hours daily to updating your listing, communicating with guests and potential guests, and taking care of the cleaning after check-out. All this may sound overwhelming, and it is, especially if you are a first-time host or have other responsibilities on the side.
Before you decide which route to take—self-managing or outsourcing the Airbnb management services—you need to compare the pros and cons of each. This guide goes in-depth into the Whys, Whats and Hows of self-managing your Airbnb.
Basic Responsibilities of a Self-Managed Airbnb Host
At the very basic, a self-managed Airbnb host needs to ensure that the property is presentable to guests and that the guests’ needs and expectations are met. The details on how to meet these two objectives are where the rubber meets the road.
Below is a quick overview of the day-to-day tasks, grouped into four categories: property listing and management, guest communications, cleaning and maintenance schedules, and marketing & listing optimisation.
Property Listing and Management
The first step to becoming an Airbnb host is to set up your account and complete the property listing procedures. Afterwards, you need to monitor the bookings, update the listings, and ensure competitive pricing with respect to the supply and demand dynamics. You must also update the listing to reflect the actual conditions of your property to avoid errors and misinformation.
Guest Communication
One of the most demanding duties when managing an Airbnb business is constantly keeping in touch with potential clients and guests. As the host, you must continuously engage the guests from the research phase to when they decide to book your space. This process may take hours, days, or even weeks, and you must always be available to respond to their questions if you are to guarantee the ultimate guest experience.
Once the guest has decided to book your property, you must provide timely check-in instructions and welcome them upon arrival. If they have an issue with the property, amenities or services, they will want to contact you, so keeping your communication channels open is necessary. After the guest has checked out, you need to follow up with a thank-you message as a good gesture and even request them to rate your space.
Cleaning and Property Maintenance
Cleaning and regular maintenance may sound simple, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. This is especially true during the peak season when vacation rentals are in demand with almost instant bookings and check-ins. If you are the one cleaning, things can quickly get out of hand, resulting in burnout. Similarly, it can sometimes be inconvenient to deal with Airbnb cleaners during peak seasons when they have a backlog of clients.
This could mean being flexible enough to have backup cleaners and ensure excellent coordination to align the cleaning services with guest check-ins and check-outs. As far as property maintenance is concerned, you can always do some inspections to check for minor maintenance tasks and schedule repairs whenever necessary.
Marketing and Listing optimisation
As much as Airbnb will do most of the work to ensure your listing is visible to potential guests, there is still a role for you to play. One is to ensure your listing is updated with new and better photos, accurate descriptions, new amenities and services, etc. You must also check the guest reviews, reply, and make necessary improvements to maintain guest satisfaction and high ratings. Another marketing tip is to promote your property across other channels and social media to reach a broader audience and then attach a link to Airbnb for bookings.
Interesting in how many hours per day does manage an Airbnb takes?
Pros of Self-Managing Your Airbnb
Like any other business, self-managing an Airbnb sits dear to the hearts of many hosts, primarily those who enjoy the hands-on approach of running the Airbnb operations. Below are the main benefits of self-managing your Airbnb rental:
- You enjoy full control, from guest communication to when to list and pricing. This ensures that everything runs as you want it to.
- You cut on the management fees, maximising your profits.
- Personalised guest experience means better relationships with guests, leading to better reviews and repeat business.
Cons of Self-Managing Airbnb
Self-management offers benefits but also comes with challenges, affecting your time, well-being, and business growth. Here’s how:
- Managing communication, bookings, cleaning, and maintenance can quickly become overwhelming, especially during the peak travel months.
- The constant demand to respond to questions and resolve guest issues can lead to burnout.
- There’s a learning curve. Handling dynamic pricing, marketing, and listing management requires knowledge and skills.
- Your flexibility is limited. Managing your property remotely or outsourcing to someone else can be stressful in case of emergencies or travel.
- Missed growth opportunities. Keeping things controlled and predictable can sometimes hinder growth opportunities, mainly if you don’t track occupancy rates and don’t have measures in place to optimise pricing.
What If an Airbnb Property Management is Involved?
Now that you know what Airbnb management entails, deciding between self-managing and hiring Airbnb management depends on several factors. Self-managing makes the most sense if you have a single property and prefer more control over everything else. On the other hand, hiring a property manager offers significant advantages, especially if you have multiple properties in a single or different location or are balancing other commitments, such as a full-time job.
At L’Abode Accommodation, we offer professional Airbnb management services. These services reduce stress by handling guest communication, cleaning, and optimising listings for better visibility. This often leads to higher occupancy rates and, as a result, increased profitability. Since these services come with a fee, balancing the costs with the expected returns is important.
Before deciding which option to choose, consider your availability, knowledge of the vacation rental market, and long-term goals.
If you are looking for an end-to-end Airbnb management solution, our team at L’Abode Accommodation will handle everything for you, easing the hosting journey. Contact us today and let us help make your Airbnb business a success.