How to Become a Home Share

Source LearnAirBnB.com
Source Airbnb.com
Source vrbo.com

Get Your Listing Right

Once you’re ready to put your listing together, here are some basics you need to get your listing right.

Position Your Listing for Success - It’s not just about great photos and descriptions for your listing, it’s also about how you differentiate your listing from your competitors. Remember how you found your target customer above?  This is your chance to actually target them instead of trying to make your listing appeal to everyone.

Set Clear and Simple House Rules - Don’t go overboard and make rules so obnoxious that no guests would want to book with you but do be clear about what are off limits (e.g no smoking).  Get the right balance when setting house rules.

Make Sure Your Listing is Good
-Don’t have a poor title
-Don’t have poor descriptions
-Don’t have poor photos
-Don’t get poor reviews
-Don’t have a poor host profile
 
Be Smart About It

Protect Your Identity - Take any measures possible so you do not have to about your identity getting stolen while hosting.

Avoid Potential Squatters - The easiest way to do this is to keep your bookings short.

Get the Pricing Right - Setting the right pricing isn’t just a onetime deal, it requires regular checking and updating. If you price too high, you could end up with more vacant days but if you price too low, you’re leaving money on the table.  Come up with a pricing strategy that will allow your unit to achieve the rents it is capable of.

Anticipate/Address Guest Headaches - Your guests have traveled far to stay at your listing, sometimes from half way around the world.  And it can be stressful.  Flights can get delayed. Keys can get lost. Be empathetic about your service toward your guest and you will have a successful unit.

How to be an Airbnb Host

1. Create your listing at www.airbnb.com/host. It’s free and easy to create a listing on Airbnb. Describe your space, how many guests you can accommodate, and add photos and details. Their pricing tool can recommend competitive rates, but what you charge is always up to you.
2. Welcome guests. Get to know guests before arrival by messaging them on our platform. Most hosts clean the spaces guests can use, and provide essentials like clean sheets, towels, and toilet paper. You can greet guests in person with a key or just send them a door code.
3. Get paid. Airbnb’s secure payment system means you never have to deal with money directly. Guests are charged before arrival, and you are paid automatically after check-in, minus a 3% service fee. You can be paid via PayPal, direct deposit, or international money wire, among other ways.

How to be an VRBO Host
1. Go to www.vrbo.com
2. Set up your property. Explain what's unique, show off with photos, and set the right price.
3. Get the perfect match. They will connect you with travelers from home and abroad.
4. Start Earning. They will help you collect payment, deduct a commission, and send you the balance.

Home Sharing