How I Turned My Former Home into a Profitable Short-Term Rental (And How You Can Too!)
When I converted our old family home into an Airbnb property a few years ago – I had NO idea what I was getting myself into! Fast forward three years, and not only is it bringing in consistent income (hello, mortgage helper!), but I’ve also connected with some of the coolest travelers. If you’re considering diving into the short-term rental market yourself, I’d love to share everything I’ve learned during my three-year hosting journey to help you avoid the bumps I encountered and fast-track your path to hosting success.
If you are just about to get started, please use my Airbnb referral link. You will get some money from Airbnb for using a host link and so will I! Click here for the link!
Understanding the Airbnb Ecosystem
Let me be clear—Airbnb is a complex platform with its own rules, algorithms, and quirks. Before I listed my property, I spent weeks learning about how the system actually works. This intensive research period was crucial, and I’ve found that most hosts who struggle simply haven’t taken the time to understand the platform’s mechanics.
My First Lesson: Airbnb’s algorithm loves hosts who respond quickly, don’t cancel bookings, and maintain great reviews. I’ve found that staying on top of these three elements has kept my listings at the top of search results in my area.
My Second Lesson: It’s easier to learn from someone who is a little further along in the journey than to try and figure out everything on your own. This was a time consuming lesson for me to learn! Here’s the good news, I have a ton of resources that you can use to avoid going through the process of learning the hard way. You can check out my course on running your Airbnb from your phone. It is a comprehensive course that goes through how to do ALL THE THINGS on the Airbnb app. You can check it out here.
Creating a Place Your Guests Will Feel at Home
The foundation of your success will be creating a space where guests feel comfortable. In my experience, you don’t need luxury accommodations to earn five-star reviews—you need practical amenities and thoughtful attention to detail. Here’s what I focus on in my property:
- Spotless cleanliness: I can’t stress this enough—this is ALWAYS the top factor in my best reviews
- Reliable amenities: I provide fast WiFi with the password clearly displayed, power strips with phone chargers in each room, and a kitchen stocked with the basics needed to prepare simple meals
- Personal touches: I leave a note on my letterboard and occasionally provide a welcome gift
- Safety first: I have smoke detectors and first aid kits in every property
After much trial and error, I invested in professional photography for my listings. The professional pictures help my listing stand out and make it more likely that potential guests will stop scrolling when they see my listing.
Strategic Pricing for Maximum Occupancy
Pricing was one of the trickiest aspects for me to figure out. After years of adjustments, here’s my approach:
- I watch my calendar closely: When I see gaps approaching, I reduce prices or run promotions to fill them
- I know my local events: Local events can allow you to increase your rates, but you need to adjust pricing months in advance to get those guests who are planning for those events
- I reward longer stays: I offer weekly and monthly stay discounts
- I check my competition regularly: I take a look at similar listings in my area to help me improve my listing
- I use strategic promotions: I offer special deals in various situations to get bookings
While Airbnb’s Smart Pricing gives me helpful suggestions, I’ve found that my local knowledge allows me to set better rates – so I still with adjusting prices manually. I live in the same town as my property so I am up to date on the latest events that are attracting people to the area.
Creating a Listing That Converts
Your listing is essentially your storefront, and I’ve refined mine through constant testing. Here’s what works for me:
- Attention-grabbing headline: I highlight my most unique selling point right in the title. My property attracts a lot of families so I used the phrase ‘family friendly’ in my title
- Honest descriptions: I’m transparent about everything—including mentioning that I have not child or baby-proofed the home. This allows potential guests to make an informed decision about whether or not the property will work for them
- Neighborhood insights: I include mileage and drive times to the local attractions
- Clear expectations: My house rules are friendly but firm. I have made adjustments to them over time as I have learned more. For example, after having more than one comforter ruined by excessive dog hair, I added the house rule that dogs are not allowed on the furniture.
- Accessibility information: I clearly state that my property does not include any steps and answer questions from questions when they want to know more about the accessibility of the property
As you write your listing, think about what your potential guests are considering as they search for a property. Put yourself in their shoes. You can also use AI to help you get started writing your description.
Managing Your Airbnb Like a Professional
Even though I started as a side-hustle, treating my Airbnb like a serious business from day one made all the difference:
- I respond lightning-fast: I aim to answer inquiries within an hour, which has given me a 100% response rate. Setting up quick replies helps with this!
- I’ve simplified check-in: I have a standard check-in message with all of the relevant information that I have set up as a quick response. We use a smart lock and we customize the code for each guest remotely
- I have a cleaning system: My detailed cleaning checklist ensures nothing gets missed between guests. You can get my cleaning checklist here.
- I’ve learned to spot red flags: I politely decline bookings that seem likely to cause problems. For example, if a guest mentions a party, that is a red flag
- I use saved responses: I have templates for check-in instructions and common questions that save me hours each week
Once I really learned how to navigate the Airbnb app, I found that there are a number of features that save me time and help me look and be professional when it comes to guests.
If you need help with setting up scheduled messages, updating your listing, or anything else with the Airbnb App – check out my course on mastering the Airbnb App.
You can learn more about the course here – LEARN ABOUT THE COURSE – or, if you’re ready to get started – BUY THE COURSE NOW.
Marketing Beyond the Airbnb Platform
While Airbnb brings me most of my guests, I’ve found several ways to expand my reach:
- Posting on social media: I share local events and photos of my property on social media
- Partnering with local businesses: The horse park a few miles away from my property provides me with a number of repeat guests as they come back to town again and again for competitions
- Sharing local expertise: My simple blog about local attractions brings in surprising traffic and direct bookings
- Listing on multiple platforms: There are several options for listing your property. They are each different – and come with their own issues – but they can be a big help when you’re trying to fill your calendar.
Navigating Legal Requirements and Protection
Ignoring legal requirements can be costly. Here’s how I stay compliant:
- I researched local laws: Each area can establish their own rules about short term rentals
- I handle taxes properly: I work with an accountant who specializes in rental properties to maximize deductions
- I have the right type of insurance: I have a specific short-term rental policy in addition to Airbnb’s coverage
- I maintain good neighbor relations: I stay in touch with the neighbors and they are always quick to get in touch if there seems to be an issue.
Building a Five-Star Reputation
My reputation as a host is my most valuable asset. Here’s how I maintain it:
- I deliver consistency: Whether it’s a Tuesday in February or a Saturday in July, guests receive the same quality experience
- I resolve problems generously: When the electricity went out for two days while we had a guest, I provided a refund for the days it was out – before the guest even had to ask
- I respond professionally to criticism: Thankfully I have only dealt with one nightmare guest (so far) and his negative review was removed. I make it a practice to respond professionally and without emotion no matter what is going on. At the end of the day, Airbnb will be able to see your interactions through the app and remaining professional is important
- I constantly evolve: I listen to guests and make improvements that are feasible. For example, a guest mentioned wanting more full length mirrors in the house. It was a simple and inexpensive thing to add.
Rating can have a big impact on your booking rate. I work diligently to provide every guest with a 5-star stay.
Your Short-Term Rental Journey
Converting my former home into a rental property has been a practical decision that’s paid off consistently over the last few years. I’ve been able to generate steady income while helping guests experience our area like locals.
As you begin your own hosting journey, remember that success doesn’t happen overnight. There’s a significant learning curve to navigate, which is why I created a comprehensive course to share everything I learned the hard way. The time you invest in education now will save you countless headaches and maximize your earning potential from the start.
If you’re ready to skip the weeks of research I had to do and start with a proven system instead, check out my step-by-step course through Stay Success. I’ve compiled three years of hosting experience into a straightforward roadmap that will help you start navigating the ins and outs of the Airbnb app from day one.
Are you about to list your first property? Please use my Airbnb referral link. Follow the link and then start creating your listing. You will get some money for using the link and so will I! Click here for the link!