Airbnb real estate investing has taken the industry by storm. Short-term rental properties are increasingly being recognized as a fantastic way to make money in real estate. The platform, however, has a lot of intricacies that Airbnb investors need to be wary of. In this context, Airbnb reviews can be a real estate investor’s best friend or worst enemy. When developing your Airbnb rental strategy, you need to pay specific attention to how reviews will impact your investment property. Use this guide to find out everything you need to know.
Why Positive Airbnb Reviews Should Be a Top Priority in 2020
If you’ve ever used Airbnb as a guest, you’ll understand the power of reviews. People are naturally inclined towards vacation rental properties that guarantee them a positive experience, rather than one which is uncertain. Across the board, properties with positive Airbnb reviews get booked more often because of this fact.
There is a direct correlation between the number of Airbnb reviews and your Airbnb occupancy rate. Getting great Airbnb reviews should, therefore, be your top priority in 2020.
For a more in-depth look into your specific rental property’s relationship between Airbnb reviews and occupancy rates, consider looking into Mashvisor. This tool uses predictive analytics to let you know how how much your Airbnb occupancy rates will increase with each new 5-star review. This is especially crucial for an Airbnb investment property since it can provide insight into the success of your real estate investment. Having access to these Airbnb analytics can make or break any investment.
Mashvisor’s Airbnb Occupancy Rate Insights
Related: What Is a Good Airbnb Occupancy Rate?
7 Things You Can Do to Get Good Airbnb Reviews
Be Honest with Your Pictures and Descriptions
Inaccurate photos or descriptions are the easiest way to alienate Airbnb guests. If your rental listing creates certain expectations, make sure that your space can fulfill those expectations. Many hosts are inclined to take strategically-angled photos or overrepresent the quality of their space in the description, but this can have adverse effects. Instead, you should consider putting some effort into upgrading your rental property and turning it into a place anyone would love to stay in. Failing to meet expectations is a sure-fire way to get bad Airbnb reviews.
Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
Maintaining open and friendly communication with guests is a great way to encourage good Airbnb reviews. Foremost, be sure you are communicative with guests before their arrival. In addition to clarifying any check-in or arrival logistics, you’ll also give guests a fantastic first impression. Once your Airbnb guests spend their first full night in the rental property, you may want to send them a follow-up message, asking if they faced any issues, or whether everything is up to par. This can provide a friendly outlet for guests to voice any concerns, and allow you to resolve them quickly.
You’ll also want to communicate with guests after they’ve checked out. Thanking your Airbnb guests for staying with you can go a long way to creating a long-lasting positive impression. Finally, once you reach out one final time, be sure that you ask guests to leave Airbnb reviews. Many guests will not do this by default but will be much more likely to do so once prompted.
Provide Free Amenities
One of the best ways to leave a great impression — and therefore get glowing Airbnb reviews — is to offer your guests a number of amenities. Beyond the necessities, you might want to consider adding in some convenience items, like a coffee maker or potentially a small welcome gift. This can be something minor, like a local brand of chocolates or an inexpensive bottle of wine. This can be very low-cost for Airbnb hosts, but it still provides a fantastic first impression for guests. Although this imposes a slight increase in costs, it could have a substantial impact on the occupancy rates of your Airbnb rental property.
Upgrade Your Airbnb Rental Property
A great way to get positive Airbnb reviews is to make sure people won’t want to leave your place. In addition to some decoration choices, you should also consider adding in some recreational items, such as board games, or a Netflix-enabled television. By making your Airbnb rental property a fun place to stay, guests will be raving about their nights spent in.
Create an Apartment Manual
Let’s face it: figuring out a new apartment or house can be a pain. Learning how to work the heating system or not being able to work a television can be annoying.
By creating an apartment manual, you’ll make this whole process a lot easier for Airbnb guests and significantly reduce the number of questions you’re asked.
Not only this, but you’ll also leave a fantastic impression as a host who has gone through the effort of creating a specialized guide for guests. People appreciate hard work, and this can go a long way to encouraging positive Airbnb reviews.
This guide can and should also include recommendations for your neighborhood. You can make restaurant recommendations and attach instructions for public transportation. Being in a new city can be confusing for some people, and the more comfortable you make this process on them, the more warmly they’ll feel towards their host.
Related: 8 Things Airbnb Guests Will Expect from a Vacation Rental in 2019
Make Yourself Available
The best way to guarantee good Airbnb host reviews is to make sure you are available when guests need assistance. There’s a whole number of issues that can pop up unprompted, and guests will most often turn to their host as a point of reference. By making your guests feel cared for, all you have to do is wait for positive Airbnb reviews to flow in.
Hire a Property Manager
One of the best things you can do to get positive reviews is hiring a property manager. In the last few years, Airbnb property management has become an industry in and of itself. There are now countless managers who specialize in Airbnb, and who can run your operation smoothly. These people have access to short-term rental data, Airbnb calculator, and other significant tools to improve your listings. Consider tagging in an expert to make sure you get top-notch reviews.
The Bottom Line
When putting together your Airbnb investment strategy, you need a clear idea of how you’re going to manage Airbnb reviews. Looking into the right Airbnb data is a fantastic idea, as it can position your reviews within a broader context of Airbnb occupancy rate and return on investment.
Related: Airbnb Investment Calculator: Do You Need One?
By being a preemptive host, and creating an excellent experience for guests, you’ll be in great shape to get glowing reviews every time. The best Airbnb reviews await!