We decided to dive into the world of Airbnb hosting, following the trend of many others who offer their homes or parts of them as rentals. Initially, we believed that without a separate guest house or the ability to rent out our entire home, hosting wasn’t feasible. However, I eventually realized the growing popularity of renting out private guest rooms on the platform. These rooms are often budget-friendly, especially for travelers who don’t plan to stay indoors all day. Combined with friendly hosts, this setup can offer a very relaxing stay for guests.
Hosting on Airbnb can significantly boost your income, with potential monthly earnings ranging from $300 to $5,000, depending on factors like location and the size of your rental space. To help with our housing expenses, we’ve started renting out our spare room. This has allowed us to redirect funds towards other goals and activities. Although this is a new and somewhat daunting challenge for us, we’ve come up with a strategy to help others considering the same path.
First and foremost, comfortable bedding is a must. As a former guest myself, I know that comfort is key and poor-quality bedding can be a dealbreaker. Keep in mind that guest reviews are important, and they should reflect a well-rested and pleasant stay. Recently, we bought a high-quality mattress and bed frame from Amazon.
Privacy is also crucial, so we installed a lock and key system for the guest room door, ensuring peace of mind for our guests and ourselves. While not strictly required by Airbnb, adding extra touches like a television, nightstand, and ample closet space can make your listing more attractive. We’re thinking about buying a Roku and a small TV for the guest room from a local online marketplace. Additional amenities like a microwave, hairdryer, towels, and a first aid kit can also enhance the guest experience.
It’s equally important to protect our personal belongings and information. Although we’re not moving out entirely, we’re minimizing clutter and securing personal items. Since we handle personal and professional tasks from home, important documents need safe storage. We’re also making our main bathroom guest-friendly by relocating most of our items to a different bathroom.
One of the things I enjoy about staying in Airbnbs is a well-thought-out welcome kit. We’re excited to offer something similar, including house rules, the WiFi password, and local tips. This personalized touch can really enhance the guest experience.
We’re also reorganizing our kitchen utensils to provide guests with access to the kitchen. This requires us to declutter and organize the kitchen better, which benefits both us and our guests.
Preparing your home for an Airbnb listing may seem overwhelming, but being organized and clear about what you want to offer helps a lot. As a host, you control the atmosphere and rules of your home. Start with a clear vision and create a detailed to-do list with deadlines to stay on track and get your listing up efficiently.
We’re thrilled about our journey with Airbnb, excited to meet new people and earn some extra income. How about you? Have you ever used Airbnb? Would you consider becoming a host? If so, why or why not?