With summer right around the corner, many people and places are preparing for their busy tourist season, including homeowners with swanky or convenient spaces for rent. If you’re an Airbnb host or are planning to be one, this is the time of year to get your space guest-ready. Not sure where to start? No problem. Get your checklist ready and continue reading for ideas on how to make your home Airbnb-ready for the season or short-term rentals.
1. Deep Clean Your Home
It goes without saying that you and potential guests will want your home to be spotless. You wouldn’t stay in a messy hotel room, so the same should be said when it comes to preparing your Airbnb space. Since hotels are what you’ll probably be competing with, don’t give your guests a reason to switch bookings and go elsewhere.
Aside from the usual dusting and vacuuming, you’ll want to ensure appliances and surfaces are sanitized, bedding is changed, and all garbage is taken out. Wear protective gear like closed-toe shoes and rubber gloves, and never mix bleach with ammonia. You’ll also need to maintain the yard if you have one. This includes any lawn care, gardening, or pool maintenance. Use a cleaning checklist like this one to ensure you don’t miss a thing. If cleaning isn’t your strong suit, hire professional cleaners or landscapers between rentals to ensure the space is in tip-top shape for the next guests.
2. Do a Maintenance Check
This step goes hand in hand with cleaning and is just as important to remember. Proper home maintenance can help prevent guests from calling you in the middle of the night because something broke. So, change out HVAC filters, check lights and appliances, and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly. You’ll want to check all plumbing for clogs or leaks as well.
This is also the time to inspect the outside of your house, not just the inside. Clean out your gutters, inspect your roof and foundation, and check drainage or irrigation systems. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but first impressions matter in this case, and the outside of your home is the first thing your guests will see.
3. Stock Up on Amenities
Like any hotel or motel, you’ll want to keep stock of some amenities for guests. For example, fresh towels and washcloths should be available and swapped out or washed between stays. Likewise, things like soap, shampoo, and conditioner should be replaced or topped off if using reusable bottles. Having extra blankets and pillows on hand is also a must. As is additional paper products such as toilet paper, paper towels, and tissues.
Some other items to consider supplying your guests include an alarm clock, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, teapot, basic kitchen and cooking utensils, seasonings, tea, and coffee. Don’t forget laundry detergent so guests can use the washer and dryer. It’s also a kind gesture to keep a stock of bottled water handy so guests aren’t stuck buying their own or drinking from the tap. These items aren’t required, but many are commonly found in hotels. If someone is renting your home, these things will likely make their stay a lot more convenient, and chances are you’ll receive a better review and rating for going above and beyond.
4. One Up the Competition
Give people something to talk about by providing guests with a little something more, regardless of budget—whether that’s leaving a welcome note with the Wi-Fi password, a complimentary breakfast (who doesn’t love free food), a welcome basket, or offering discount coupons and menus to local attractions and eateries. The last option not only promotes other local businesses but can also relieve some planning for guests if they aren’t sure what they want to do or are unfamiliar with the area.
Offering outdoor gear like a grill, bikes, kayaks, or a beach umbrella, depending on what’s near you, can also go a long way. That’s several fewer items guests need to worry about packing, buying, or renting. And if you really want to compete with the big hotel chains, you can offer transport service to and from the airport. Again, this is incredibly convenient if you’re local and can save guests a few bucks on a taxi or rideshare service.
5. Make Sure the Space is Comfortable
You’ve got the extra bedding and blankets and throw pillows, but they don’t mean anything if your guests don’t get a good night’s sleep. Additional steps you can take to ensure their comfort include purchasing blackout curtains to keep any stray light out of the bedroom and a foam mattress topper for those who prefer a less firm mattress.
Investing in a white noise machine or fan is also a good idea if one isn’t already in the room. This is useful if you live in a noisier neighborhood or in the boonies where the crickets chirp up a symphony or the silence is deafening. (There is no in-between.) Disposable eye masks or earplugs can be extra helpful for more sensitive sleepers.
6. Enhance Your Outdoor Area
Make your outdoor space inviting for guests, regardless of size. Whether it’s setting up a badminton net, a couple of chairs around a fire pit, or some extra lighting, having a cozy patio hangout only increases the appeal factor of your home. Yes, it’s one more thing to maintain and keep tidy, but the more amenities you offer, the higher the chance you’ll get more bookings.
It doesn’t matter if you have a full-size patio, a large backyard, or a tiny porch or balcony. Each of these areas can be enhanced and turned into a fun sitting space. Not sure where to start? Check out our post on Summer DIY Projects to Brighten Up Your Patio.
7. Put Away Personal Items
While this may be your home, the space becomes someone else’s during their stay. And they may not want to see photos of your kids plastered on the walls. Leaving your personal items out is a liability and can make the space feel less welcoming to guests. So put away any personal information, photos, jewelry, valuable electronics, etc. You’ll also want to clear out a closet or dresser so guests have a place to put their things.
Now, this doesn’t mean clearing out your whole living area. Leaving certain things out, like movies, books, and magazines, is tasteful as long as it’s done appropriately. You can even leave out brochures, a list of local favorites, or emergency numbers on the fridge or coffee table. It’s good to remind people they are in your home without being obvious about it.
8. Look to Self Storage
Getting your home Airbnb-ready can be a lot like moving. You end up packing a lot of your things just to put them elsewhere for a time and then do it all over again. But what if your home doesn’t have the space for “elsewhere”? That’s where self storage comes in. Prime has convenient storage solutions of all kinds and sizes across many states.
If you lack the attic, garage, or basement to hide your things away from guests, Prime can help. Choose from drive-up access, indoor, or climate controlled storage at select locations. Our size guide can help you find the best unit for your home storage needs, or you can call us with any questions. Visit our website to see availability near you and rent a unit today!
