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How to Get Started as an Airbnb Host

If you own a well-kept home in an exotic locale or close to a popular tourist location, you can make extra money by renting it out to visitors as an Airbnb. Airbnb hosts make thousands of dollars a month by doing little more than allowing strangers to stay in their homes. If this sounds like a good revenue stream, we have four tips on how to get started as an Airbnb host.

Step 1: Take a Good, Long Look at Your Home

If your spaces need updating or a good coat of paint, you’ll want to take care of these issues before listing your home on Airbnb. Not everyone who wants to become a host is accepted, and the selection process is detailed. Your home should look nice, feature modern amenities, and boast a prime location that’s close to the places people want to go.

Step 2: Take Professional Pictures of Your Home and Landscaping

The better your pictures, the more people will want to rent your home. While it’s not necessary to call in a professional photographer, you should use a good camera and lots of natural light to photograph your home’s features. Make sure your home is tidy and well decorated, and be sure to take pics of all the spaces guests will be able to use, including:

  • Bedrooms
  • Kitchens
  • Baths
  • Common areas
  • Game rooms
  • Outdoor porches or decks
  • Included amenities, such as gazebos, rose gardens, or in-law suites

Step 3: List Your Property on Airbnb

When you’re ready, upload your listing and photos to the Airbnb website. You’ll need to decide on such things as your nightly rate, cleaning charge, cancellation policy, service fees and taxes, and whether you’ll allow guests to instantly book before you’ve had a chance to talk with them and review their profile.

Step 4: Invite Guests Into Your Home

You can choose whether to meet your guests in person, but most hosts simply leave a lockbox with a key. Small incentives are always nice to leave for your guests, as they’ll review their experience on the Airbnb site after their stay. You might consider leaving a welcome basket on the table with a map of the local area or providing luxury soaps and bath products near the shower.

Sojourn Properties, LLC, can help you manage your Airbnb properties in Scottsdale and Phoenix, AZ. Contact us today for more information on how we can help you make the most of your Airbnb hosting experience.

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Why Professional Photos Are a Must for Your Short-Term Rental Property

Quality professional photos for a short-term property will heighten the appeal of every room and make it easier for your customers to picture themselves at home in your place. That kind of first-impression connection is what drives profits, especially when you consider how common it is for people to waffle over which rental to pick.

Constant Turnover

Short-term rental photos in Scottsdale, AZ can help your property stay occupied without cutting into your bottom line. A good photographer isn’t just taking a few snapshots and calling it a day, they’re analyzing the best features of the place and highlighting them in brilliant color.

Most people vastly underestimate just how much time it takes to photograph their place. An amateur could easily spend all day for nothing more than a few lackluster shots. A professional photographer may only produce a few select images, but you’ll immediately notice the difference in quality. If you’re spending a lot of time and money to make the place shine every day, you might as well hire someone who will capture all that hard work.

The Psychology of Rentals

The strategy of a long-term vs. a short-term rental is undoubtedly different, but the end goal for both is to tempt the buyer to take the next step. Photographers work with lines of your home, drawing an onlooker to notice the comfy cashmere blankets scattered around the living room or the reading chair in the corner.

Plus, there’s an even more subtle effect happening when a person scans their eyes over professional photos. They send a message that the owners are proud of the space and they treat it with the respect it deserves. Even if a renter can’t always define this concept just from looking at a picture, it’s powerful enough to bump up your bottom line.

Short-Term Property Management in Phoenix

If you’re looking for short-term property management in Phoenix, AZ or Scottsdale, AZ, Sojourn Properties LLC can take a lot off your plate. Owning a property comes with a number of responsibilities, and it’s easy to let one fall through the cracks. We’re here to cover the details, so you can focus on the bigger picture.

 

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Why You Need to Always Screen All Your Airbnb Guests

Why You Need to Always Screen All Your Airbnb Guests

As you rent out your Airbnb to guests, you have to accept that inviting strangers into the property poses a certain level of risk. Fortunately, you can minimize the risk of adverse events by screening each and every one of your guests. With that move, you can keep potentially costly events at bay and make the most of your rental experience. Whether handled by your property management company in Scottsdale, Arizona, or on your own, here’s how proper screening can benefit you.

Prevent Theft and Damage

Without proper screening, you truly don’t know if your guests are who they say they are. As a result, you’ll likely find it quite difficult to hold them accountable for any theft or damage that occurs during their stay. Beyond that, without full verification, guests may not feel as accountable for the condition and security of your property as they would otherwise.

Drop Booking Restrictions

With a regular independent screening process, you can drop booking restrictions, like only accepting guests with a high rating on Airbnb. This allows you to get more newcomers to stay at your rental, potentially resulting in long-term loyalty to your properties. Furthermore, you can pick up last-minute reservations more often, which are often considered high risk without screening in place.

Boost Overall Revenues

As screening helps you keep damages to a minimum, boost reservation rates, and increase loyalty to your Airbnb properties, your revenues will come up in kind. You can then get more out of every stay, allowing you to funnel the money back into the property and make it even more popular with short-term renters. You might even get enough to buy another property to use as a rental, boosting your income even more.

If you’d like to optimize your guest screening process, our Scottsdale Airbnb property management team can help. We’re available at 602-492-4121 any time you’d like to talk about boosting the performance of your Airbnb. We can perform a free property analysis or simply take over the care of your rental, so you can enjoy excellent revenues while saying goodbye to the daily demands.

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How to Make Your Airbnb More Desirable to Traveling Nurses

Traveling nurses are in high demand these days — and many are turning to Airbnb to find cozy places to stay through each assignment. If you want your property to capture their attention, you need to speak to their needs to stand out from the crowd. Ready to make that happen? Here’s how to make your Airbnb more desirable to traveling nurses.

Make Comfort a Top Priority

Since they’re on the road so much, traveling nurses deeply appreciate having all the creature comforts of home in their Airbnb, such as:

  • Ultra-fast Wi-Fi internet
  • Cable TV with premium channels
  • Hotel-quality mattresses
  • Luxe linens and bedding
  • High-tech small kitchen appliances

They’re also thrilled upon finding the bathroom stocked with high-end toiletries and seeing bottled water, snacks, and souvenirs waiting for them upon walking through the doors. Don’t forget to make their security a top priority as well with Ring Doorbells and other devices that make it easy to rest up after a long day of nursing.

Focus on Creating an Upbeat Aesthetic

Working as a traveling nurse can often feel isolating and more than a bit challenging, day in and day out. But thankfully, you can help by creating an upbeat aesthetic throughout your Airbnb. With the right decorative touches, you can put a smile on your tenants’ faces, leaving them feeling ready for the day.

To do that, you’ll need to use lighting and color to your advantage in every room. You could brighten up the living room, for example, by putting warm lights over the couch and a vase of colorful flowers on the coffee table. Attractive artwork can help, too, especially pieces that feature a lot of color, texture, and movement.

Hire a Rental Management Company

If you’d rather leave the details to the professionals, simply hire our Airbnb property management company in Scottsdale, Arizona. We can set up your rental to best serve the need of traveling nurses and keep it performing at its best at all times. We’ll even help you find traveling nurses in need of short-term rentals and report back on the financial performance of your property every month.

Unsure if your rental would perform well as an Airbnb? Just sign up for our same-day Scottsdale property analysis by filling out our online form or calling 602-492-4121. We will help you learn just what your property can do for your pocketbook and get started on its transformation into a short-term rental.

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Who will Opt for an Airbnb Instead of Stopping at a Hotel?

Are you thinking about putting your condo or suburban property on the short-term rental market? Is it even the kind of place that a traveler to the Scottsdale area wants to stay in for a week or a month? If you have hesitated to capitalize on your investment because the decor is outdated, the house is too big, or perhaps even too remote, now may be the time to make the move. Schedule a free property analysis to target your marketing to the right segment of travelers.

Families are Traveling, but Still Cautious

After a year of social distancing, families are ready to take a trip, but at the same time can be hesitant to lodge at a popular hotel. An Airbnb offers a good balance between privacy and safety. Mom and Dad do not need to rely on hotel staff to properly sanitize the room and there is less worry that other travelers may be ill. Families are happy to opt for a few extra bedrooms, a dishwasher, and a garage, too.

Executives Love the Perks of Working From Home

The company is springing for an in-person seminar this year, but not all the executives are looking forward to evenings struggling with slow internet and loud neighbors in the next hotel room. After perfecting their home office, business travelers are eager to stay at a quiet apartment featuring a wireless printer, fiber-optic internet, and a large leather office chair. It is even better if your condo is just a few blocks away from the convention center.

Grandparents Enjoy the Added Comfort of a Full Kitchen and Bath

How often have you listened to your elderly relatives complain about restaurant food that is too salty, too sweet, or simply too much? Some seniors are rediscovering the freedom to enjoy a visit to the grandkids when they have access to their own kitchen, groceries, and a roomy bathroom. Instead of suffering through cold cereal at the breakfast buffet, they start the day at their own speed.

As you can see, short-term rentals are no longer a popular choice for the younger adult generation. With more families, executives, and seniors embracing the flexibility that comes with an Airbnb, there is a golden opportunity to start earning cash off a property that didn’t seem to fit the market in the past. Is your rental ready? A free property analysis from our Airbnb management company in Scottsdale, AZ will help ensure that your listing is prepared to be fully booked for the upcoming travel season.

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5 Ways to Improve Your Airbnb’s Curb Appeal

Curb appeal can make people feel at home when they arrive at your Airbnb property. Curb appeal also makes your property more enticing to potential guests. Are you seeking ways to improve your Airbnb’s curb appeal? Here’s what we recommend.

1. Keep Up the Paint Job

Most houses that have been painted need to be repainted approximately every 5 years or so. Repainting your Airbnb home on a regular basis will help keep the property looking its best. Know the signs that your Airbnb needs to be repainted. Look for:

  • Peeling or bubbling paint
  • Faded paint
  • Bare wood siding showing through

2. Maintain the Landscaping

Good landscaping can help make your home look cheerful, well-maintained and inviting. Some suggestions for keeping up with the landscaping around your property:

  • Keep the grass and other plants watered
  • Pull weeds regularly
  • Lay down fresh mulch at least once per year
  • Plant easy to maintain annuals or plant perennials that tolerate the natural weather conditions where your property is located
  • Prune overgrown plants that either don’t look very good or which are blocking sunshine from entering your Airbnb home

3. Keep Your Property Free of Debris

Get rid of any debris on your property following wind storms. Check the property regularly for trash and other things that need to be cleaned up. This is especially important if your home is on a busy street with a lot of foot traffic.

4. Inspect the Property Regularly

Walk around your property on a regular basis to look for problems that need to be addressed. You might see anything from insect nests to a broken fence. Once you’ve inspected the property, make repairs as needed.

5. Want to Maintain Your Airbnb Property? Contact Sojourn Properties

You may not be around to keep your Airbnb property in the best condition all the time. That’s why you need a property management company that can help you keep your property looking its best. At Sojourn Properties, we help maintain Airbnb homes, so that you don’t have to. To get started maintaining your Airbnb’s curb appeal, call us today.

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5 Ways to Draw More Guests With Your Airbnb Listing

Your Airbnb listing does a lot to attract guests at your property. A well-written listing could make all the difference. There are many things you can do to make your property sound attractive to potential guests, so here’s what you need to know.

1. Write a Detailed Listing

Write a detailed listing that is accurate, creative, and clearly states what is unique about your property. Use words that convey the personality of your property and of course discuss the condition of the property. The more descriptive words, the better. When you’re done, have a friend or family member edit the listing and make suggestions as appropriate.

2. Keep Up-to-Date Listing Information

Did something about your property change? Maybe a room was added, or a space was opened up to make an open layout? Did you change the color of the home’s exterior? Make edits on your listing so that people will know what they’re getting when they book a room. This will also prevent confusion when your guests arrive.

3. Set Clear Expectations In the Rules Of Your Listing

It’s always best to ensure that your guests know where they stand when they arrive. They’ll feel more comfortable booking a room or a house if they know what your expectations are. Write clear rules and policies for your property to ensure your guests will feel comfortable reserving your property.

4. Make the Photos Stand Out

The photos you take of your property should be well-lit, should reveal as much detail about your property as possible, and should be generally attractive. Feel free to take as many pictures of your property as need be in order to ensure that your pictures provide a clear picture of what your property is like.

5. Update Your Profile

Make sure that your profile reveals something about you, like your personality or hobbies. The more you sound like a relatable person, the more people will want to book your property.

Contact Sojourn Properties to Take Care of Your Airbnb

You can’t attract people to your Airbnb property if it isn’t being maintained. To ensure your property is in good hands, contact Sojourn Properties today. We offer a range of Airbnb property management services in Scottsdale, AZ.

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3 Hidden Benefits of Owning an Airbnb Property

Owning an Airbnb is a great way to earn passive income. But did you know there are also additional hidden benefits of owning an Airbnb property in Scottsdale AZ?

1. Your Family Can Enjoy It, Too

Owning an Airbnb property means that you and your family always have a place to stay when you go on vacation or just want a weekend away from home. You save on hotel charges or resort fees and have the luxury of 100% availability on your schedule (depending on whether you have guests, of course). Furthermore, you don’t need to check out at any certain time and can literally make yourself at home. All you need to do is manually block out the time you want to use it on the Airbnb app. The only caveat that the government makes on rental properties is that you can’t use it personally for more than 14 days per year.

2. You Get Tax Deductions

Owning an Airbnb property entitles you to certain tax deductions on your federal income tax return. You can deduct the costs of improvement like security systems, HVAC systems, roofs, fire alarms, etc. You can also depreciate the cost of big-ticket items like furniture, refrigerators, ovens, carpeting, and more. If you have a mortgage on your Airbnb, you’re allowed to deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage each month. You can even deduct the interest paid on your credit cards if you use credit cards to pay for Airbnb expenses. Property taxes, property insurance, and Airbnb fees are also deductible. Consult with your CPA for details about all the tax deductions on Airbnb properties.

3. Friends Can Stay

If your Airbnb is located near your home, your friends have an option to use it when they come in town to visit. This makes it nice for them to have their own independent space so they don’t infringe on your family’s space. Depending upon your preferences you could either let them stay for free or charge them a small fee for cleaning and utilities during their stay.

When you consider the passive income combined with these three hidden benefits, it’s certainly worth it to own an Airbnb property. For more information about making your Airbnb a truly passive experience, please contact us today.

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