Get Paid For Your Pad | Airbnb Hosting | Vacation Rentals | STR Revenue Management

Short-term rental operators understand that technology helps automate certain aspects of our hosting business, saving time and streamlining our operations. But there are few tools that smaller Airbnb hosts can afford.

So, what is the ideal tech setup for STR hosts with five units or less?

Henry Bennett is the Cofounder and CEO of YourWelcome, a guest engagement tablet currently used in 15,000 STR properties. Henry and the YourWelcome team are in the process of launching PropertyCare, a complementary platform to automate guest engagement and manage STR cleaning and maintenance.

Listen in to understand why text messaging is the best way to communicate with guests (and how PropertyCare facilitates SMS) and find out what affordable technology options are available to small Airbnb hosts!

Henry’s take: COVID changed the STR industry

• Property managers looking to reduce costs
• Difficult to find cleaners and maintenance staff

How Henry thinks about Chesky’s predicted BOOM in STRs

• Record domestic bookings for ‘revenge travel’
• Vacation rentals seen safer than hotels

What PropertyCare does to serve small Airbnb hosts

• Set up cleaning and maintenance tasks
• Automates guest communications

What differentiates PropertyCare from a PMS

• PMS = channel management and accounting
• PropertyCare integrates with PMS systems

The gap in the market for tech seving small Airbnb hosts

• Most tech creates for big companies to scale fast
• Hosts with 5-15 units underserved part of industry

How hosts benefit using PropertyCare

• Leverage CRM to personalize post-stay marketing
• Collect emails of ALL guests with advanced check-in

PropertyCare.com

YourWelcome

Henry on GPFYP EP123

Brian Chesky Interview on Travel’s Revolutionary Moment

VRMA

RingCentral

Twilio

Your Porter App

Guesty

Rentals United

StayFi

STR Legends Mastermind

Legends X 90-Day STR Accelerator

Email [email protected]

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As Airbnb entrepreneurs who help people start and scale their own short-term rental companies, you may be surprised to hear that, right now, we don’t think you should start a STR business.

You should buy one.

There's value creating your own hosting business. If you’re brand new to the industry, it’s a good place to start.

But if you’re an experienced host with funding, you can create wealth by taking over another business and increasing its value. So, what does that look like?

This episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric and I sit down to discuss the opportunities we see in buying an Airbnb business rather than starting one from scratch.

Listen in for insight on where to find vacation rental businesses to buy and learn how YOU can acquire and then increase the profits of existing Airbnbs!

Why we’re taking over an existing Airbnb business

• Save money on operations to increase profits
• Improve guest experience, property value

Eric’s insight on raising money through investors

• All based on NETWORK
• Invest in PEOPLE and IDEAS

What investors are looking for

• Rule of 7 (7% return doubles $ every 10 years)
• Strong relationship makes risk manageable

Eric’s advice to someone who doesn’t have a network

• Focus on one social platform, e.g.: LinkedIn
• Surround self with people in industry
• Be patient

STR market opportunities

• Management model to generate cashflow
• Scale quickly and bring investors into pipeline
• Buy older STR businesses in secondary markets

How to find existing vacation rental businesses

• Choose market carefully
• Become part of community (network)
• Share your vision, ask for properties

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Sonder

Zillow

Vrolio

AirDNA

Vacasa

Hicksville Trailer Palace

Overnight Success

Review Get Paid for Your Pad on Apple Podcasts

Legends X STR Accelerator

STR Legends Mastermind

Email [email protected]

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As short-term rental hosts, we ALL want to build a listing that stands out from the competition. And we know that having the right photos is crucial in getting prospective guests to book.

But what if you’re not a professional photographer, and you don’t have the money to hire one? Can you still take gorgeous listing photos if it’s just you and your smartphone?

Kati and Brian Greene are the Cofounders of Overlooked 2 Overbooked, a service that helps hosts optimize their listings to attract their ideal guests at optimal prices.

On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Kati and Brian join me to share their top tips for taking photos of your property and describe how to choose the best ‘magnet photo’ for your listing.

Kati explains the optimal way to order photos in an Airbnb listing and Brian discusses how to take your listing to the next level by including experience shots.

Listen in for insight on using guest reviews to improve your listing and learn how Kati and Brian can help you build a listing that beats the competition!

Overlooked 2 Overbooked’s virtual photo shoot

• Teach host how to operate smartphone camera 
• Guide through taking photos for listing on video chat

Kati’s top tips for taking photos for your listing

• Lower camera to waist level and lift gaze
• Point camera parallel to floor (not down at furniture)
• Use rule of thirds for exterior shots

How to choose the best magnet photo for your listing

• Review thumbnail photos of listings ranked above you
• Choose image that stands out from competition

How to appeal to your prospective guest’s lizard brain

• Use contrasting colors, include fun in photos
• Make guest trust you and feel safe in space

The optimum way to order your photos in an Airbnb listing

• Start with 5 best or most interesting features
• Follow up with room-by-room tour of property
• Wide angle shot of room first, then detail shots

Brian’s advice on serving as an ambassador of your town

• Ask why people visit and what’s cool about area
• Become concierge or expert re: local activities

How to use guest reviews to improve your listing

• Use guest comments for insight on what to feature
• Caption photos with quotes from reviews

How to take your listing photos to the next level

• Set up vignettes of experience guest might have
• Example—people enjoying s’mores in fire pit

Overlooked 2 Overbooked

Free Listing Assessment

Kati & Brian’s eBook

Color Wheel

Legends X 90-Day STR Accelerator

Email [email protected] 

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In a recent interview with Skift CEO Rafat Ali, Brian Chesky predicted a near-future revolution in travel. A revolution that presents a big opportunity for short-term rental hosts.

As more companies offer employees the option to work remotely, Chesky believes people will take advantage of the flexibility to travel. This will increase demand for STRs, especially in secondary markets.

On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric and I discuss the biggest opportunity we see right now in short-term rentals, describing how we’re finding older vacation homes in drive-to destinations and converting them into unique STR experiences.

Listen in for insight on the benefit of investing in real estate for Airbnbs and learn how to upgrade an older STR property—without losing sight of what makes the local area special!

Key takeaways from the recent Brian Chesky interview

• People won’t go back to working in offices full-time
• Affords much more flexibility to travel

Opportunities for STR hosts in this revolution of travel

• Find older vacation homes in secondary markets
• Convert into unique, modern STR experiences

Why we’re investing in properties in secondary markets

• Financial decisions shaped by experience of COVID
• People want to travel AND live there (can sell later)

What short-term rental guests will need moving forward

• Fast internet, workspace for remote office
• Option to disconnect and be in nature

Approach to upgrading older STR properties

• Improve experience (e.g.: smart locks, guidebook)
• Highlight what makes local area special

Benefit of investing in real estate for STRs

• Ownership affords opportunity to build wealth
• Money in properties as hedge against inflation

How the Get Paid for Your Pad podcast is changing

• Mondays focus on small hosts (Airbnb101)
• Wednesdays about managing STR business at scale
• Fridays we share journey building hospitality brand

Brian Chesky: Travel Revolution

Remote Work at Buffer

AirDNA

The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed and Happiness by Morgan Housel

Strawberry Creek Village

Sonder

Lyric

Stay Alfred

Legends X STR Accelerator

Get Paid for Your Pad

Email [email protected]

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If you want your guests to delight YOU with five-star reviews, return visits and referrals, then you need to delight them first by delivering the unexpected.

But what, exactly, does that look like? How can Airbnb hosts WOW their guests in every step of the short-term rental journey?

J.T. McKay is the author of Airbnb on Autopilot: Save Time and Boost Profits for Your Vacation Rental. J.T. has been investing in real estate for over 25 years, and he currently operates 10 vacation rental units in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, J.T. joins me to discuss how to delight your Airbnb guests by delivering the unexpected, beginning with becoming a story-seller in your listing.

J.T. offers advice on building a personal connection through your house manual and automating guest messaging with authenticity.

Listen in for J.T.’s insight on WOW-ing your guests during their stay with selfie props, QR codes and V.I.G. (Very Important Guest) discounts to local restaurants and attractions!

What makes Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge a popular STR market

• ‘Vegas for families’ (amusement parks, dinner theatre, etc.)
• Attracts outdoor enthusiasts for hiking and fishing

How to delight prospective guests with your Airbnb listing

• Become story-seller and make future guest hero
• Shows respect for space, attracts idea guest

How to delight your guests through your house manual

• Include information about YOU to build personal connection
• Infuse with personality and fun, pay attention to design 
• Share restaurant recommendations and area info 
• Shoot short how-to videos (e.g.: electronic lock, thermostat)

How to automate guest messaging with authenticity

• Send first morning check-in message
• Use customization tags (include guest name)
• Consider recording custom welcome videos

J.T.’s tips for delighting your guests once they’re in your unit

• Provide basket of selfie props, incentivize sharing on social
• Leverage QR codes for connecting with info quickly
• Offer USB charging outlets and Bluetooth speakers
• Share V.I.G. discounts to local restaurants and attractions
• Give away free swag (i.e.: mugs, pens, cookbook PDF)

J.T.’s Website 

Airbnb on Autopilot: Save Time and Boost Profits for Your Vacation Rental by J. T. McKay 

Email [email protected] 

Loom

You on Netflix

Legends X 90-Day STR Accelerator

Email [email protected] 

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It’s your job as an Airbnb host to understand the struggles your guests might face and set them up for success. 

But what if your guests are international tourists who don’t speak the local language? How can you create a multilingual short-term rental to serve guests from anywhere in the world?

Tracey Northcott is the Founder and Owner of Tokyo Family Stays, a vacation rental property management company based in Tokyo, Japan. Tracey is also the Guest Experience Specialist behind Tracey Northcott Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping other hosts improve their hospitality standards and maximize STR profits.

On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Tracey joins me to discuss how to set up a multilingual Airbnb, describing how she attracts large extended families of inbound tourists to her properties in Tokyo.

Tracey shares her strategies for supporting guests who don’t speak the local language, explaining the benefits of providing infographics and professionally translated information.

Listen in to understand why Google Translate is not good enough and get Tracey’s top tips for anticipating the needs of your international guests!

Tracey’s ideal guest at Tokyo Family Stays

• Inbound tourists or Japanese people who lived overseas
• Large extended families (don’t exclude based on language)

What to think about as the host international guests

• What’s common for you not standard across world
• Meet people where they are, provide tools for success
• Recognize common humanity of all

How Tracey serves guests who don’t speak the local language

• Infographics for toilets, kitchen appliances and HVAC units
• House rules, trash/recycling info in multiple languages

The benefits of providing infographics and translated information

• Save time and stress fielding calls or fixing broken items
• Guests feel welcome and leave 5-star reviews

Why Tracey suggests hiring a human translator over free apps

• Not too expensive, supports another small business owner
• Google translate = unprofessional and not welcoming

Tracey’s tips for anticipating the needs of international guests 

• Curated links to local recommendations and list of FAQs
• Step-by-step instructions for getting to STR property

Tokyo Family Stays

Tracey Northcott Consulting

Tracey on Instagram

Tracey’s Listings on Airbnb

Legends X 90-Day STR Accelerator

Email [email protected] 

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Yes, we learn a lot from personal experience. But smart short-term rental hosts also learn from each other.

We take advantage of our peers’ and predecessors’ experiences, implementing best practices from the very beginning.

Koryn Okey is the Vice President of Client Experience at Breezeway, the leading property operations and services platform for short-term rentals. Prior to joining Breezeway in 2017, Koryn spent seven years as Director of International Accounts at FlipKey. 

On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Koryn joins me to explain how the FlipKey model differed from that of Airbnb and explore what gives Airbnb the brand recognition it enjoys today.

Koryn offers advice on optimizing your property listings, and we discuss when hosts should start using a tool like Breezeway to manage their STR portfolio.

Listen in for insight on investing in tech early on in your Airbnb business and master Koryn’s top three habits of highly successful STR hosts!

What differentiated the FlipKey model from Airbnb

• Host paid per lead vs. percentage of booking
• Get guest contact info, communicate directly

Koryn’s advice on building a listing for your STR

• Ask friends for honest feedback
• Compare to other listings in market

How Koryn thinks about choosing a lead photo

• Consider why guests coming to your market
• Pick image to stand out from competitors

What made Airbnb more successful than FlipKey

• Focus on urban markets, young travelers
• Mind for design = user-friendly site

How Breezeway technology serves STR hosts

• Operations and guest services platform
• Ensure space clean, functional and safe

When hosts should consider tools like Breezeway

• Any time manage listing(s) remotely
• Essential once responsible for 5 properties

The benefit of implementing tech right away

• Leverage best practices from beginning
• Efficiency gains, avoid mistakes

Koryn’s top 3 habits of highly successful hosts

1. Invest in technology early on
2. Build community (learn from others)
3. Know what’s happening in industry

Breezeway

Koryn on LinkedIn

Email [email protected] 

FlipKey

Jeremy Gall on Get Paid for Your Pad EP387

Breezeway’s STR Inspector Course

Legends X 90-Day STR Accelerator

Email [email protected] 

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On Monday, September 20, the US government announced that it is lifting its Covid-related ban on international travel starting in November.

The new rules allow entry for vaccinated visitors from the EU, India, China and 30 other countries deemed high-risk back in March of 2020 when the ban went into effect.

So, what does this mean for you and your Airbnb business?

On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Eric and I discuss the details of the March 2020 travel ban and describe how lifting it is likely to impact the US short-term rental market. 

We look at the AirDNA report comparing STR demand in August of 2019 with August of 2021, exploring why domestic travel compensated for the loss of foreign tourists in North America—but not Europe.

Listen in for insight on the increasing demand for unique Airbnb stays and larger properties and find out what recovering lead times means for your hosting business!

The travel ban that went into effect in March 2020

• Travelers from EU, China and other high-risk countries
• Cannot enter US if from/touch ground in last 2 weeks

How the rules are changing in early November

• Ban lifted for vaccinated travelers
• Must also have negative COVID test

Why we predict a spike in travel to the US once the ban lifts

• EU and China huge market for Airbnb hosts in US
• Urban areas likely to benefit most

AirDNA’s stats comparing STR demand in August 2019 vs. 2021

• North America down just 2%, Europe down 25%
• Easier to drive through states vs. countries

The increasing demand for unique short-term rental stays

• Up 31% in France over last 2 years
• Farm stays, tiny homes and castles most popular

Why larger properties are recovering better than small ones

• Travelers bring friends/family, create own experience
• Opportunity to relax and disconnect from chaos

What recovering lead times mean for Airbnb hosts

• Back up to 60 days in many markets
• Shift in pricing strategy, increase in general demand

‘After Months of Bans, Fully Vaccinated Travelers Will Be Allowed to Fly to the US’ on NPR

Trump’s March 2020 Proclamation

Vacation Rental World Summit

AirDNA

AirDNA’s Report for the Vacation Rental World Summit

2021 VRMA International Conference

Campfire

Eric on TikTok

Eric on Instagram

Legends X 90-Day STR Accelerator

Email [email protected] 

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Hiring a virtual assistant can be a game-changer for your STR business. But here’s the catch: Your VAs are only as good as your training and your systems. 

It’s YOUR job to provide clear instructions and offer support as they learn the ropes.

So, what can virtual assistants do for your Airbnb business? And what’s the best approach to training a VA to take on those responsibilities?

Charlie Hawranik is the Cofounder of Canmore Co-Host, a short-term rental property management company based in the Canadian Rockies. Charlie and his wife Yuki started by hosting their own vacation rental on Airbnb three years ago and have since expanded to a portfolio of 13 properties.

On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Charlie joins me to explain what his virtual assistants do for his Airbnb business, walking us through the list of daily tasks his VAs perform and sharing the tools he uses to communicate with them.

Charlie offers insight on the interview process, describing what he looks for in a VA and how the book Virtual Freedom helped him decide what to ask the candidates.

Listen in for Charlie’s advice for training your VAs on guest communication and learn how YOU can use virtual assistants to help run your Airbnbs.

How Charlie and his wife got into hosting on Airbnb

• Purchased property in Canadian Rockies 3 years ago
• Started managing for other owners (13 listings total)

How Charlie benefitted from joining Legends X

• Pushed to do things wouldn’t have tried otherwise
• Introduced to benefit of hiring virtual assistants

The daily tasks Charlie’s VAs do for his Airbnb business

• Verify door locks active, guest codes programmed
• Confirm arrival of cleaners
• Review PriceLabs information
• Use reviews to update maintenance to-do list
• Handle owner use requests
• Respond to guest messages

Other projects that Charlie assigns to his virtual assistants

• Build Hostfully guidebook for new properties
• Monthly invoicing 
• Eventually create Airbnb listing for new properties

The top tools Charlie uses to communicate with his VAs

• OpenPhone and Skype for messaging
• Create Loom videos for training

Charlie’s advice for Airbnb hosts considering hiring VAs

1. Ask skills testing questions in interview process
2. Provide detailed training videos
3. Treat your team with respect and check in often

How Charlie trained his VAs around guest communication

1. Go through past messages to build own FAQ doc
2. Message responses to Charlie for approval
3. Reply on own (only ask for help if can’t answer)

Canmore Co-Host

Email [email protected] 

Kim Herrlein on Get Paid for Your Pad EP407

Julie George

Virtual Staff Finder

Short-Term Rental Profit Academy

RemoteLock

RBOY Apps

PriceLabs

OpenPhone

Virtual Freedom by Chris Ducker

Loom

iGMS

Rankbreeze

Keys to Kelowna

Legends X Short-Term Rental Accelerator

Get Paid for Your Pad on YouTube

Email [email protected] 

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