Do you own an Airbnb or short-term rental? Guests love Airbnbs because they can be a great way to enjoy a like-home experience while traveling. Potential guests get onto Airbnb.com and start searching, but what they are looking for isn’t just a clean, functional space. They are looking for a unique experience!
As an owner (or potential owner) of a vacation rental, you know that these properties are a great source of revenue, and you want to make your investment as profitable as possible. That means making your rental attractive to guests and give them that memorable experience; which means more bookings and rave reviews for you!
Today, I’m sharing my best tips to help your properties get consistent bookings for higher rates and receive excellent reviews for the best ROI. Let’s get started!
1. Stage Your Listing with Intentional Lighting
Lighting can make or break a listing’s potential bookings. Without adequate and well-placed light sources, you may end up with dark photos. Dark photos make it hard for your guest to see all the thoughtful details you’ve added to your property. Potential guests are also less likely to stop the scroll to look at your property.
Poor lighting can also make the space seem smaller and dingy, making potential guests question its cleanliness. And questionable cleanliness can harm your bookings, possible guests may never set foot on your property.
How can you fix this? When planning your lighting, update your light fixtures and replace light bulbs with LEDs. I recommend soft white light (2700-3000K).
Pro tip: Place a large mirror across from a light source, like a window or a beautiful chandelier. Voilà! Your space is bright and ready to attract guests!
2. Design With Your Ideal Client in Mind
Your vacation rental decor should be carefully planned. Base all your design decisions on your ideal guest. Ask yourself questions like: Who is your property a great stay for (get specific)? What do they enjoy? And what will they need to make their stay comfortable and memorable?
A common misstep I’ve seen is owners decorating with discarded furniture and accessories. Although this is a cheaper alternative, it negatively impacts the overall look and guests’ experience of your property. Instead, invest in comfortable and durable items like the sofa, bed, and linens. And eliminate unnecessary decor.
Of course, you want to create a unique experience for your guests, so you may want to add statement pieces that make your property stand out from the competition. I love adding local art, fun “memory points” that not only make great “Instagram-able” moments but also make your property stand out in the listing photos. Including extra features like black-out draperies and a full-length mirror is also very important.
3. Showcase All Amenities
Again, it comes down to taking great photos of the right things. You’ve worked so hard to make this property shine, so show off your hard work and the unique features of your property. When you make items visible on your listing photos, it’s easy for guests to find things when they arrive.
Place a helpful guest guide in a prominent place. This is a great way to introduce your guests to local sources and lets them know about your thoughtful additions, like a first-aid kit, charging stations, or an “in case you forgot” basket.
4. Stage All the Spaces
Staging your property allows you to ensure that every space is used to its fullest potential.
When you add a reading nook or small conversation area, you can showcase these areas in photos, and your guests will enjoy their stay so much more.
Don’t forget about outdoor spaces! They are a wonderful way to add value to your property and the guests’ experience. Creating sitting and dining areas that are well designed and maintained allows your potential guests to picture themselves enjoying all your property has to offer.
5. It’s All About The Power of Good Photography
Investing in high-quality photos is a must! You can’t ignore the psychological effect of good-quality photos. Just like in a real estate listing, potential guests will keep on scrolling if your photos don’t capture their attention.
Good short-term rental photography is an entity all on its own, it is a hybrid of real estate, interior design, and hospitality photography. Your photos should include curb appeal, room photos, amenities, and close-range photos of items that make your listing unique. Unique items may consist of a bottle of local wine, a basket full of fluffy beach towels, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Find a photographer who has experience with short-term rentals or Airbnb properties and is willing to do some research and listen to your recommendations.
With a few strategic updates to your property, you can see an increase in the number of bookings, higher rates, return business, and 5-star reviews! These changes are what you need to make a significant impact on increasing your return on investment.
If you would love a staging professional's help taking your Airbnb listing to the next level (or price tier)