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Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Airbnb Listing Ready

Being ready for your first guest can take a lot of work if you don't currently live on the property (or even if you do). Here are the basic steps to get started preparing your space:

1) Create an Airbnb account and get verified.

2) Furnish your house with comfortable furniture & stylish decor.

3) Purchase towels, linens, duvets, duvet covers, mattress protectors, and pillow protectors--I recommend everything white as it can easily be bleached and will always match.

4) Ensure kitchen has all basic cooking utensils and essentials for eating at home: plates, bowls, flatware, steak knives, cups, wine glasses, bottle opener, can opener, cutting knives, cutting board, mixing bowls, pot holders, trivets, pots, pans, cookie sheets, coffee maker, microwave, etc.

5) Take professional-looking pictures of all areas of the house the guests will have access to, inside and out. High-quality pictures are important and even though you want to show your house in the best light, make sure you create an accurate feel for the place so the guests feel they have all the info necessary to make a decision about whether it's the right fit for their needs.

6) List your house on Airbnb--do this as soon as you have pictures even if you are not completely ready as you can make it available for a future date and you will very likely not get a booking immediately after listing it.

7) Stock the house with amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, body soap, hand soap, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, trash bags, basic cleaning supplies, dishwasher soap, detergent, bleach, etc.

8) Provide household items that are typically needed by guests: hairdryer, iron & ironing board, outlet strip to easily plug in appliances, travel crib, USB speaker, reading or table lights near beds.

9) Check that you have all basic safety essentials up-to-date and working: smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, emergency lighting or flashlights.

10) Take care of all routine maintenance and keep a record of when you completed them: check all light bulbs, change air filters, clean gutters and ensure no roof leaks, make sure all emergency shut-offs are working properly.

11) Create a guide to leave in a conspicuous place including contact info, WIFI password, TV & electronics instructions, rules, check-in/check-out times, info for long-term guests such as trash collection day & options for extra cleaning.

12) Other tips to prevent future issues:

  • Make sure all exterior doors use the same key

  • Install smart locks or a lockbox for easy check-in and access

  • Stay overnight in the house for at least two nights to check that all appliances work, beds are comfortable, and to note any potential issues to notify guests about like noise or quirks of the property or neighborhood

  • Lock away any sensitive or personal items as guests may or may not remember or read rules about what is theirs to use

13) Now you're ready! Always be sure to answer all guests right away to keep your response rate at 100%. If you found this guide helpful, please use my link to sign up for your account.

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