Do you have a spare bedroom or property you can rent out for short-term stays? Then, you might be considering putting it up on Airbnb. The average host on the popular property rental app earns around $924 a month, depending on several factors. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but when you’re looking at it as side-income or if you have multiple properties to rent out, the opportunity looks pretty enticing. 

Of course, the success of your Airbnb listing depends on the steps you take to make it welcoming to guests. So, before your first guest books your property, here are some ways to prepare your property and get it ready for a positive five-star experience. 

 

Have Your Appliances and Electronics Checked

No one wants to stay in a listing with a broken air conditioning unit or an unreliable Wi-Fi connection that has plenty of dead zones around the house. So, while preparing your home, make sure all appliances and electronics at home are working properly. 

Make sure remotes like those for your TV, air conditioner, or automated curtains are functioning and have loaded batteries. Test your cooking appliances to see if they still work or are in need of repair. Get AC repair if your air conditioners aren’t functioning properly or can’t seem to blow hot or cold air properly. 

 

Invest in High-Quality Linens

You can find cheaper bed sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, and other linens, but you’ll be risking bad reviews along the lines of itchy beds or easily frayed towels. Investing in high-quality pillows, comfy blankets, and matching towels (ideally one for every guest) are more likely to get you better reviews. And having glowing reviews from your guests mean a better spotlight for future guests browsing through the listings. 

 

Prepare Toiletries

Most Airbnb listings will always be cheaper than the average hotel room, but some guests may be expecting the same level of hospitality they expect in hotels when they book a listing. For the sake of your guests’ positive experience (which leads to good reviews), it’s always a good idea to provide your guests with basic toiletries.

Leave toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and tissue for your guests. You can also go the extra mile by providing your guests with shampoo, conditioner, and body gel. If you’re worried about guests who might try to take the entire bottle with them when they leave, install liquid dispensers in the bathroom and fill it up before they arrive. 

 

Design for Minimalism

Not sure how you’re going to decorate your property and give it a warm and welcoming feel? It’s always a good rule of thumb to think “less is more” when it comes to Airbnb listings. Guests will want to feel at home, and minimalist design of a few paintings, plants, and some trinkets on the tables can make them feel at ease. 

Make sure to do this with your space before taking pictures to be uploaded to Airbnb. People won’t be enticed by your listing if they see that it’s too bare or too cluttered. Show them where they can expect to stay, but don’t give them unrealistic expectations or fluff up the room in the photos only to disappoint them when they arrive. 

 

Setting up a listing for your property on Airbnb can be a great way to earn additional income, but only if you’ve prepared for your guests’ positive experience. It’s not passive income since you’ll have to put in some effort to make your guests feel safe and happy, but it’s a good opportunity for those with a spare bedroom or with properties they aren’t using and want to profit from it.