7 Tips to Achieve a High Airbnb Occupancy Rate

Is there really a reason why someone should pick your Airbnb property over your neighbor’s? How are you different from any Airbnb host? Differentiate yourself to attract more guests and to achieve a higher Airbnb occupancy rate. Airbnb is a competitive business; you are trying to get guests from all over the country to pick your property over hundreds of other properties in the same city, just remember these SPECIAL tips to achieve a high Airbnb occupancy rate. 

S is for Superhost – try to be a Superhost to drive more users to your property

Airbnb has created a Superhost status, which users can notice by seeing a badge on the Superhost’s profile. The status is based on 4 things you have achieved in a year: hosted at least 10 trips, maintained at least a 90% response rate, a 5-star rating on 80% of the reviews and completed every reservation without canceling. Aiming for this status is important for maintaining a high occupancy rate because it consistently compels you to improve and make a name for yourself on Airbnb.

P is for Photography – you’re not going to make the buck if your photos suck

Pictures sell, period. If your photos look great, you simply get more attention. Don’t rely on people using the adage, “don’t judge a book (or in this case, a booking) by its cover.” Photos are the most crucial factor in obtaining bookings. People are looking at tons of photos when on Airbnb, so make yours pop. Airbnb offers free access to professional photography, depending on your location. Try to get a professional photographer but more importantly, let your photos showcase the best features of the house, which make the best experiences. Also, make sure you post a welcoming profile picture of yourself in a genuine setting.

E is for Experience – give people what they want, tell them what they want to hear

Make it an experience for renters inside and out. Firstly, take the time to customize the property based on the renters. Are they in town for business? Is it a family getaway? Add small accommodations to let renters know you are putting extra thought into making their trip a good one. You can print out a list of your favorite restaurants in the area for those on business or stock the place with board games and a karaoke machine for family time. If you’re in a city with a high demand of short-term lodging, renters are more likely to get the experience they are looking for. But if you are in a less touristy city, this is your chance to showcase the highlights of the area.

Finally, it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it; perhaps the core value of customer service. As an Airbnb host explained, instead of writing “large kitchen with stainless steel appliances,” you can write, “Walk to the farmers’ market and make yourself a gourmet meal in the large fully equipped kitchen.” Focusing on the details and experience will have a positive impact on your occupancy rate.

Related:Four Things to Consider Before Purchasing an Airbnb Investment Property

C is for Cleanliness – it’s the first impression you make

Don’t let guests get disturbed by small things that could have been taken care of before, like a dirty microwave. While cleaning might be the most tedious part of investing, it is an essential. You can save money by cleaning the property on your own or hire a company and charge a cleaning fee. Some Airbnb cleaning service companies are Pillow, Guestyand Handy; you can sometimes find coupons and deals. These companies are also focused on increasing your Airbnb occupancy rate. They make money when you make money.

I is for Invest Time – don’t cut corners, it won’t pay off and permanently hurt your occupancy rate 

Give yourself time to do things in an organized manner. You have to keep up with your calendar to avoid bookings when you’re unavailable. When you do accept a booking, you have a made a commitment to serve guests. Response rate is a key player in improving your Airbnb occupancy rate! Maintaining your profile and property will become part of the routine so make a schedule to best complete your tasks on time.

If you don’t have time to manage on your own, you can always use other sources like property management companies. There are lots of resources out there to help Airbnb hosts and property owners with pricing, management, cleaning and being strategic about improving your Airbnb occupancy rate. If you’re wondering about your return on time and investment, you can use Mashvisor analytics to get an idea about your costs.

Related:Consider Property Management Options for Your Rental Property

A is for Affordable – good pricing gets you higher Airbnb occupancy

Don’t overlook one of the main advantages of Airbnb; it is cheaper than traditional lodging! People use Airbnb because they get more space and amenities for a lesser price, not to mention the experience. If your prices are high, you are not meeting one of renters’ main objectives and hence, depriving yourself of being booked. If guests save money, you get good reviews. These reviews put other guests at ease and get your property a higher occupancy rate.

L is for Legal – simply put, keep it legal and save yourself the headache

Understand your city’s regulations and laws, like home-sharing laws. Also make sure to communicate with your neighbors to avoid misunderstandings. Some cities do have limits on the amount of days you can rent out your property. This could dramatically hurt your Airbnb occupancy rate if not researched correctly.

Do you have any tips on how to run a successful Airbnb business and increase Airbnb occupancy rate? Which tip can you relate to the most? What has it done for you? Let us know and we’ll chat!