Why do you want to become an AirBnB host?

Getting Started, New Host No Comments

If I were a seasoned Airbnb Host with over 10 years of experience on AirBnB, an Airbnb Superhost and Ambassador, a licensed LTR (long-term rental) landlord for over 28 years, and a real estate investor – all of which I am – here’s the advice I’d give to brand new hosts looking to launch an Airbnb business:

1. Start with Strategy, Not Just Space

  • Know your WHY: Are you doing this for passive income, financial freedom, property utilization, or hospitality passion?
  • Choose the right model: Entire home, room or rooms rental, co-hosting, or rental arbitrage—know what fits your resources and risk tolerance.
  • Do market research: Use AirDNA, Mashvisor, or local Airbnb listings to assess demand, competition, pricing, and occupancy rates in your area.

2. Set Up the Space Professionally

  • Think like a guest: Comfort, cleanliness, and convenience matter more than decor gimmicks.
  • Furnish functionally: Include essentials like clean comfy beds, mattress protectors, clean sheets (and extra sheets for back-up for each room), dressers, desk space, lamps, alarm clocks, blackout curtains, closet hangers and storage areas, fast Wi-Fi, smart TVs, keypad locks on the doors, fully stocked linen closets with towels and extra bedding and pillows for your rooms, kitchens that have dedicated guest pantry and refrigerator space, and bathrooms that have dedicated guest space.
  • Add touches that pop: Create a local guidebook, make a guestbook to leave on the coffee table, maybe include some welcome snacks and bottled water, add great photos to the room, or a stylish accent wall.

3. Run it Like a Business from Day One

  • Form an LLC or S-Corp if you plan to scale or want asset protection. You can start by just using your social security number with AirBnB, but you should consider an LLC when you want to scale up.
  • Open a separate bank account and track all income/expenses.
  • Keep good records for taxes—track all income and expenses, make sure you are putting aside State and Federal taxes quarterly, and use tools like QuickBooks, or a Google Sheet to help you track your AirBnB business. AirBnB pays you as a 1099 contractor, so learn about how that is reported at tax time and the forms you need to fill out.

4. Master Operations Early

  • Automate messaging use AirBnB’s automated messages to send welcome messages, check-in/out instructions, house and room details, wifi information, and local area details – or third party tools like Smartbnb/Guesty/Host Tools to send this type of information to your guests.
  • Create SOPs (standard operating procedures) for cleaning, turnovers, maintenance, and guest communication.
  • Build a local team: cleaner, handyman, and possibly a co-host or property manager.

5. Become Obsessed with Guest Experience

  • Under-promise, over-deliver: Provide everything you say—and a little extra.
  • Respond fast: Response rate and speed drive bookings and reviews.
  • Handle problems with grace: A fast, professional response to issues turns potential bad reviews into loyal repeat guests – and always communicate through the AirBnB app.

6. Price Smartly

  • Get to Know your local Market by researching home values, rental values, rental rates, rentals available, and what other AirBnBs are like in your area.
  • Use dynamic pricing tools like Pricelabs, Wheelhouse, or Beyond Pricing.
  • Track performance: Occupancy, ADR (average daily rate), RevPAR (revenue per available rental), and profit margins.
  • Adjust with seasons/events: Stay on top of local demand fluctuations.

7. Stay Legal and Insured

  • Check local laws: Zoning, taxes, licenses, permits, HOA rules, apartment rules, and STR rules in your area.
  • Get the right insurance: Airbnb’s Host Guarantee is not a substitute for landlord or STR insurance.
  • Remit taxes properly: Airbnb often handles occupancy tax, but income taxes, state taxes and local permits are your responsibility.

8. Leverage Airbnb as a Platform

  • Optimize your listing: Professional photos, strong title, keyword-rich description, guest expectations and rules, and detailed amenities.
  • Use Instant Book (when ready) to boost visibility.
  • Aim for Superhost status: Prioritize 5-star stays, quick response time, and zero cancellations.
  • Do not cancel booking as a host. Booking changes and cancellations should be the guest responsibility.

9. Think Long-Term Growth

  • Reinvest profits: Upgrade rooms, upgrade furniture, buy more properties, or expand to new markets.
  • Diversify channels: Research how VRBO, Booking.com, direct bookings work as well and learn about them as another booking channel.
  • Build a brand: Create a website, social presence, or themed experiences to stand out.

10. Keep Learning

  • Follow STR podcasts (Get Paid for Your Pad, STR Nation)
  • Join host groups on Facebook, research local host groups or forums like BiggerPockets
  • Take Airbnb’s Ambassador Training or enroll in courses from experienced hosts