Hosting an Airbnb property has become an increasingly popular investment opportunity over the years as more travellers opt for Airbnb and short-term lets instead of hotels and other traditional accommodation types.
However, hosting an Airbnb isn’t always an easy task, especially if you are new to it. While short-term rental can be an appealing option in terms of flexibility and revenue, running and hosting an Airbnb can be very demanding. Not only will you need to be there to meet the expectations of your guests, but short-term renting means the keys changing hands a lot, more cleaning, and often more maintenance compared to traditional renting. If you’re also working full-time and have a family, it can all be stressful to try and juggle at the same time.
One good solution to consider is an Airbnb management service.
What Can An Airbnb Management Service Offer?
UpperKey says that there are several things that you should expect when you go with one of the best Airbnb management services. The best Airbnb property management companies will offer a range of services that you can take advantage of to get better results from your investment. These include interior design for the property, Airbnb pricing, professional photography and videography, creating the listing and advertising your Airbnb property, verifying, booking and welcoming guests, providing around-the-clock communication service for guests, cleaning and laundry services, property maintenance and repairs, dispute resolution, and handling check-outs.
With a professional Airbnb management company looking after all this for you, you can not only rely on them to help you get the best return on your investment but also provide peace of mind that your short-term rental is in good hands.
What to Look Out For When Choosing Airbnb Management
When you are looking for the best Airbnb management company for your needs, there are a few different things to look for, as the UpperKey explains. Your Airbnb property is an investment and working with a management company means that you will need to trust a third party with the keys and the responsibility of looking after your business. Because of this, it’s important to find a company that you can rely on to do a good job on your behalf, ensure guest satisfaction, and keep things running smoothly. Some of the main things to look for when choosing the best Airbnb management for you include:
Reviews
First of all, check out reviews to see what other clients have had to say about the service that they received from the management company or companies that you are interested in. Remember that a good website, flashy pictures, and even good reviews posted on the website don’t always mean anything except that the management company has spent a lot of money to look good and make a good impression.
Spend some time asking around in the industry to get recommendations and check out forums and social media groups for Airbnb hosts to get honest reviews of property management companies. You may want to consider finding out more about the properties that the company manages and finding them on Airbnb to read reviews left by guests too. This will help you find a property management company that you can trust to offer excellent guest services and help your Airbnb property earn a good reputation.
Cost
Before you start working with an Airbnb property management company, UpperKey advises making sure that you are fully aware of all the costs that are going to be involved, and exactly what you are going to get in return for this. Some companies offer a full management service for a fixed fee or a percentage of the amount you make per month from renting your Airbnb to guests, but even this service may not cover absolutely everything and there might be additional charges to pay, such as emergency night callouts or damage repairs that cost more than a certain limit. Take your time when reading through the contract and make sure that you have all the information on costs in advance.
Communication
When looking for the right Airbnb management company for you, it’s important to ask how often you can expect them to communicate with you. Along with trusting them to take care of your property and the guests, many Airbnb owners want to work with a property management company that keeps them up to date with what’s happening, especially if the company is also going to be managing your listings and bookings. Find out more about how often you will be informed about reviews, bookings, suggestions, and anything else that you can use as information that will help you improve your property and make it more profitable.
Customer Service
Before you sign a contract and appoint a property management company to look after your Airbnb, it’s imperative to find out more about what they offer in terms of customer service, and how they can be expected to handle your guests. While you can find out more about guest experiences through reviews on Airbnb, it’s also worth asking some questions. For example, find out more about how they will check guests into and out of the property, whether they provide welcome packs or similar for guests if they offer a concierge service for eligible properties, and how easy it is going to be for guests to contact them if needed.
Additional Services
Finally, find out more about any additional services that your chosen property management company might offer. Some companies offer basic packages with guest management, checking in and checking out while others have additional service options that you can add on such as cleaning, laundry, and even interior design and decorating services. If you are looking for a one-stop-shop for all your Airbnb management needs, then it’s a good idea to start by making a list of everything you want to outsource and finding management companies that offer everything on it.
What are the Main Benefits of Working With an Airbnb Property Management Company?
Once you know what you are looking out for when choosing a property manager for your Airbnb, there are lots of benefits to be had. This is especially true if you are hosting an Airbnb property that is quite some distance from where you live, for example, in another town or city, or even in another country. By hiring and working with a property manager that is nearby, you can avoid problems with checking in and checking out guests, emergency callouts, customer service, and more.
Some of the main benefits of taking the time to find a professional, trustworthy Airbnb property management service include:
· Save Time:
If you’re working full-time and have other commitments aside from your Airbnb, then working with a property management company is one of the best ways to save time. They can handle a lot of the time-consuming tasks on your behalf, so you can get on with everything else you need to do while making a passive income.
· Improve Reputation:
If you are new to the world of Airbnb then figuring out how to grow your reputation and get more bookings can be quite overwhelming. Working with an Airbnb property management service gives you access to professionals who are experienced and knowledgeable in the industry. They can help you ensure that your listing stands out online with professional photos and copywriting and take care of your guests from start to finish to improve your chance of getting glowing reviews that will encourage further bookings.
· Make More Money:
Your Airbnb property manager should be somebody who has a good knowledge of the pricing in the industry. Working with somebody who is experienced when it comes to managing Airbnb properties will give you access to professional price monitoring and tracking so that your Airbnb is always being booked at the most competitive and profitable price at the time.
· Better Contractor Prices:
From time to time, almost every Airbnb property is going to need work carried out on it. Whether it needs improvements due to age or there has been damage to the property, this can be quite costly. However, working with a property management company could mean that you get a better rate if the works are booked through the company instead of through you. Contractors often give discounts and deals to property management companies because they often get a lot of work from them as clients.
Running an Airbnb can be quite time-consuming and very overwhelming, especially for those who are new to the industry. If you want to ensure that your guests are provided with a great experience, your property is a popular choice online, and you get the best return on your investment, then there are lots of reasons to consider paying an Airbnb property management company to take over on your behalf. Taking the time to do your research, know what you want, and find a property management company you can rely on will help you take your Airbnb venture further.