Tag: AirBnB

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Short Term Rentals

STRs: How Short-Term Rentals Can Handle a Recession

Photo from Pexels.

As the months of uncertainty go on, one thing that keeps Airbnb owners up at night is the potential for a looming recession. And it’s not a questionable concern, especially when Americans have been constantly told since mid-2022 that a recession is just around the corner.

In fact, as of May 2023, the New York Fed recession probability indicator suggests a 68.2% chance of a recession happening in the US in the next 12 months—the highest reading in over four decades. That in itself is already a great reason for distress.

So, before you frantically search for a panic room, let’s navigate how you can best leverage your property investments and make them recession-proof.

Airbnb in a Recession

During a recession, it’s common for travel patterns to shift as people adjust their spending habits. While luxury travel may experience a decline, the short-term rental industry, including Airbnb, has shown some resilience in previous economic downturns. For example:

  • In the travel industry’s post-2020 recovery, big hotel chains, like Hilton, only started to see positive earnings in the fourth quarter, with revenue per room increasing by 60.4% from the previous year—still nowhere near pre-pandemic levels. In contrast, Airbnb exceeded pre-pandemic sales with a fourth-quarter revenue of $1.5 billion, a 38% increase from the same period in 2019.
  • A report by Airbnb showed that long-term stays of 28 days or more have become more popular as it doubled in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period of 2019. The reason cited was growing work flexibility and the rise of remote working.

While short-term rentals may demonstrate relative resilience during recessions, market dynamics can vary based on location, local regulations, and individual property factors.

For instance, short-term rental investors must be informed about the local market during an economic downturn, because some travel destinations may experience an unwelcome shock from traveler elasticity.

How to Recession-Proof Your Airbnb

If your property is in a tourism destination, you will likely stay profitable during an economic downturn. But, if you’re located in an area saturated with STRs and limited tourism attractions, staycationers are spoilt for choice—making staying afloat challenging.

But worry not. You’re not alone. After all, no company or industry is 100% safe from an economic recession.

Here are five ways you can navigate a recession:

1. Accept Medium and Longer-Term Guests

Think about embracing monthly and extended stays to maintain high occupancy and a steady flow of income. Doing so prevents you from keeping your calendar empty for days and keeping your property consistently booked.

Plus, you can encourage more guests to book longer stays if you offer a discount on monthly bookings—it’s always good to strive for customer retention.

2. Offer Flexible Pricing Options

In an economic recession, you have to factor in that demand might become more price-sensitive, and competition within the short-term rental market could intensify. Often, most property owners will bring prices down, and you can also do that and see if it brings you good results. If not, you can do the exact opposite by charging higher than your local competition. A bit ironic, but this capitalizes on the concept of “perceived value.”

You have to let your customers recognize your property’s value so they’ll be more willing to pay your asking price. On top of exceptional property and service, you can add a few more amenities, like:

  • Bikes or scooters if your property is in the suburbs
  • Dog-walking services for pet-friendly places
  • Fast and reliable wifi to attract co-working

Just to name a few.

3. Focus on Exceptional Guest Experiences

Delight your guests with experiences they’ll remember. As we mentioned earlier, adding amenities that guests want will help you capture more customers. According to Airbnb, most travelers say amenities are their top priority for a great trip—which is more crucial if you want guests to stay longer.

So, pay attention to interior design & cleanliness, provide essential amenities, and add thoughtful touches that make your guests feel special. Word-of-mouth and positive reviews are priceless. In fact, 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.

4. Build Relationships with Local Businesses

Form alliances like the Avengers!

Partner with local attractions, restaurants, and shops to offer exclusive deals to your guests. This will enhance your customers’ experience and strengthen your ties within the community.

Remember, collaboration is vital in tough times.

5. Leverage the Power of Social Media

Maximize the power of social media to boost your property’s visibility, engage with potential guests, and drive bookings. Here are three ways social media can help you recession-proof your Airbnb:

  • Showcase your property: Use platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to visually highlight your Airbnb property’s unique aspects. Share high-quality photos and videos that show your amenities, decor, and local attractions to entice potential guests.
  • Engage with followers: Respond promptly to comments, messages, and inquiries on your social media platforms. Engage in conversations, provide helpful information, and address potential guests’ concerns. Active engagement builds trust and shows your commitment to providing an exceptional guest experience.
  • Provide local insights: Share tips, recommendations, and insights about your location. Be a valuable resource for travelers and staycationers by sharing information about local attractions, events, restaurants, and hidden gems that potential guests might appreciate. Position yourself as a trusted source of local knowledge and build customer relationships to get repeat bookings.

Thriving Beyond A Recession

No one can predict the future with certainty, but historical data and trends indicate that the short-term rental industry, including Airbnb, has shown resilience during previous recessions. As travelers seek cost-effective options and prioritize domestic leisure travel, STRs offer an attractive alternative.

However, staying informed, monitoring market conditions, and adjusting your approach to cater to evolving guest demands is vital to stay afloat.

Remember, it’s crucial to remain prepared and proactive to navigate any economic climate successfully. So, keep a positive mindset and adapt your Airbnb business to thrive even during challenging times.

Join a REIA of Oakland meeting for more tips on managing your property investments.

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Short Term Rentals

Should You Invest in Airbnbs? 2023 Short-Term Rental Real Estate Forecast in Detroit, MI

Beautifully decorated short-term rental studio unit
Source: Andrea Davis on Unsplash

What accommodation did you book for your last vacation?

We’ll bet $100 that you Googled something like “tiny home” or “farm stay” instead of the usual hotel room!

The US real estate market is filled with short-term rental market opportunities, where people gravitate towards cozy, picturesque rentals instead of cold, clinical hotel rooms. Millions of listings sell an excellent guest experience, and the market for unusual Airbnbs grew tenfold during the pandemic.

Still, some hotspot, short-term housing markets like the City of Detroit remain overlooked. Many investors focus on the likes of San Francisco, California, and miss out on the goldmine that’s largely still untapped in Michigan.

So, in this article, we’ll go through market trends and statistics that prove the potential of the Detroit short-term rental property market in 2023 and beyond.

Short-Term Property Statistics in the City of Detroit

Let’s start with the numbers. How is the Detroit real estate market performing in 2022?

Understanding the data behind the average Detroit property investment will give you an idea of the city’s short-term rental capabilities, so you’ll know what returns to expect. Besides handling renters and maintaining the property, financial viability will always be the driving factor in every good investment.

So, here’s a snapshot:

  • Affordable properties: The median price is $85,000 with 7.6% increases year-over-year, making it an affordable city. And with a price per square foot of $75 (less than half of the $222 national average), you’ll easily find Detroit properties that fit your investment budget.
  • Excellent cash flow: The rent-to-price ratio is roughly 1% to 1.5%, depending on which Detroit neighborhood you choose to invest in. With this range of ratios, you’ll easily generate strong cash flows that’ll help pay off the initial investment and start pocketing returns.
  • Profitability with short-term rentals: The average rental income for short-term rental investing is $2,246, which is a huge difference from the already-profitable traditional Detroit investing where rental income is around $979.
  • High occupancy rate: Average Airbnb occupancy rate is 50%, whereas most US markets have an average of roughly 20% to 40%.
Source: AllTheRooms

Still, be aware that the City of Detroit only allows short-term rentals in your primary residence or owner-occupied properties with two to four units. You can read more about this rule from the local government’s website to ensure that you comply accordingly.

2023 Forecast for Short-Term Rentals in the City of Detroit

As an investor, looking at market forecasts is almost as crucial as checking historical trends. So let’s take a closer look at the forecast for short-term rental properties in the City of Detroit, to help you decide if renting a Detroit home in 2023 is worth your time and money.

According to Zumper, 302 short-term rental properties are currently listed in the city. This figure may seem small compared to the literal thousands of long-term rentals you’ll see on Zillow, but it still indicates a growing short-term rental market in Detroit neighborhoods, as we’ll see in the statistics below.

1. Growing Average Rent Prices

Average rents dipped in major cities across the nation recently. But Metro Detroit as a whole is faring well, where the fastest growing rent year-on-year in the area is in Ann Arbor, where average rent has gone up 23.5% since last year—that’s a 16.1% rent increase.

The chart below shows a 20% rent increase for three-bedroom rentals in the past year:

Source: Zumper

Increasing rent means increasing cash flow for you as the investor. Combine rent increases with the impressive 50% average occupancy rate we mentioned, and you’re looking at excellent returns in the City of Detroit.

2. Increasing Property Values and Appreciation Rates

Detroit properties are increasing in value, which means you’ll get to reap excellent equity gains if you hold onto them for the long haul. Zillow reported that Detroit home values are is at $69,330 (very affordable), and Norada said the values increased by 23.7% in the past year (very valuable):

Source: Zillow

The latest forecast announces that Detroit median home prices will rise by 2.1% from 2022 to 2023.

The city’s real estate also appreciated 89.7% in the past decade, placing it in the top 30% of all cities nationwide for property appreciation. In the last 12 months, its rates have remained among the highest in the country, which explains why short-term rental investors continue to find success in the city.

3. Improving Tourism in the City of Detroit

Michigan’s Motor City has had a unique culture, distinctive architecture, and revitalization renewal efforts for the past years The city is now a prominent tourist destination, called by Time Magazine a “newfound glory,” where travelers are playing a role in its vibrant economic growth.

Eating alone is becoming a real treat in the city, where one can experience Indian cuisine in the Midnight Temple near the Eastern market, immerse themself in Chef Maxel Hardy’s rosemary-filled Rosemary cafe then stray into the adjacent cigar lounge, Byrd. Or, chow down fresh seafood boils straight from the Great Lakes at What’s Crackin’.

The city has dramatically been revitalized from “dangerous” to vibrant and impressive. Today, people are saying, “I didn’t expect the city to be like it is, it’s really amazing!” and “We got the chance to see the city and I really would recommend [coming] here.”

Owner of Multilingual Detroit Motown Tour, Dildora Damisch, shares, “This year, I cannot believe, I am booked every single day! And people coming from all over the world! Unbelievable.” And why wouldn’t she, with more than 2 million international visitors in one year alone?

Accommodations are wildly increasing in the City of Detroit to serve the influx of travelers. There are over 500 new hotel rooms currently in development, including the 158-room Cambria Hotel opening in late 2022 (with golf simulators, Bluetooth mirrors, and the  Detroit Taco Company Bodega), and ROOST Apartment Hotel is set to open in early 2023 in Book Tower, a restored iconic Detroit building.

Your short-term rental could easily leverage the city’s growing tourism industry.

2023 is a Great Year for Detroit Short-Term Rentals

Without a doubt, 2023 is an excellent year to either expand your portfolio or start investing in the City of Detroit’s short-term rental property market. With growing average rent prices, increasing property values, and improving tourism in the city, impressive historical trends will likely continue their upwards direction for years to come.

Want to learn more about Detroit real estate? Join as a member, subscribe to our newsletter, and attend our upcoming meetings! We’re doing everything we can to ensure that you’re prepared, equipped, and confident enough to reap great returns from Metro Detroit.

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Short Term Rentals

STRs: 5 Things to Consider When Turning Your Rental into an Airbnb

In times when rental markets are skyrocketing, landlords can still profit from their rental property by listing it on Airbnb as an alternative to long-term tenancies.

Converting your long-term rental property into a short-term rental (STR) can offer exciting revenue growth opportunities.

For example, a single-bedroom apartment renting for $1,395 in downtown Detroit can fetch $110 to $150 per night as an Airbnb listing. That’s a 200% to 300% bump, assuming it has a high occupancy rate. STRs can generate higher income, because they charge a premium for flexibility and convenience.

But before taking the plunge and converting, it’s important to consider some key factors to ensure you’re making a smart investment decision that aligns with your goals and maximizes your returns.

Here are five things to take note of before switching your rental into an Airbnb.

1. Local Laws and Regulations

When you consider converting your rental unit into an Airbnb, the first step is to familiarize yourself with the local laws and regulations, including tax implications. Different states have specific rules governing short-term rentals, and you don’t want to find yourself on the wrong side of the law—that will cost you money instead of earning money.

For example, short-term rental units in the City of Detroit can only host for no more than 90 days per calendar year, while Los Angeles allows up to 120 days per calendar year.

If operating a short-term rental property in your area is illegal, it’s best to avoid it altogether.

You can learn more about the City of Detroit’s short-term rental laws and regulations here.

2. Risk Tolerance

Short-term rentals come with their own set of risks, including potential damage to your property and financial instability. Of course, a long-term tenant can accidentally burn your property as quickly as a short-term guest. That’s because they’re guests and may not treat your home with the same level of care as an owner does—even with background checks.

What’s important is that you consider how you’ll handle any damages or repairs that may arise and whether you have the financial means to cover these costs. With Airbnb Host Guarantee Program, you can get up to $1 million in protection against theft and damages, but it doesn’t protect valuables like artwork and jewelry.

You can also review your homeowner’s insurance (get one if you don’t have it yet) to see if you have the liability and damage coverage before taking in guests.

3. Net Operating Income & Cashflow

Crunch the numbers and determine whether converting to an STR will increase your property’s profitability. Consider the potential rental income you can generate, factoring in seasonal fluctuations and any expenses associated with running a vacation rental.

Here’s a simple equation to calculate your net operating income:

Gross Monthly Income – Operating Expenses = Net Operating Income (NOI)

If you determine that you’ll get a significant increase in your NOI, then we highly recommend you convert to an STR. That’s because if you have a stronger cash flow, you can reinvest your profits to grow your real estate portfolio and make more money.

Meanwhile, converting to an STR may not be worthwhile if the value is almost the same as your long-term rental income or a trivial increase.

4. Time

Another crucial aspect to consider is your time. Managing a short-term rental can be more time-intensive than a long-term rental. Consider the additional responsibilities involved, such as planning a marketing strategy for your property, handling guest inquiries, cleaning, and maintenance.

Assess whether you have the bandwidth to dedicate the necessary time. Your time is valuable, so ensure the investment aligns with your availability and lifestyle.

5. Management Fees

If you realize you don’t have enough time to manage an STR, you can hire a property manager to do all the heavy lifting. Short-term rental managers do more than collect rent and solve tenant problems. They also do the following on your behalf:

  • Furnish your property
  • Manage online presence
  • Optimize pricing strategies
  • Maintain cleanliness and orderliness of your property
  • Ensure you have a full stock of essential supplies

Hiring property managers makes listing your properties as STR so much easier. They can alleviate some of the crucial workload of an STR, but it’s also essential to understand the associated costs and how they will impact your overall return on investment. To start, you can research multiple property management companies to compare their services and pricing structures.

Of course, you can opt out of outsourcing property managers, but be ready for the challenge of finding reliable cleaners, maintenance technicians, and other maintenance partners you’ll need.

Convert with Confidence and Embrace STR Success

Converting your long-term rental property into a short-term rental is an exciting opportunity that can bring more money into your pockets, but it’s important to proceed with caution. It’s still an investment property that inevitably comes with risks, so it requires careful consideration.

Make sure that you understand and check all the key factors mentioned above to help you make an informed investment decision that maximizes your returns.

Join a REIA of Oakland Country, MI to acquire more insights from fellow investors in Detroit.

Categories
Short Term Rentals

What Are Airbnb Guests Dreaming of in 2023 & How can You Benefit?

Checking out Airbnbs for an upcoming trip.
Source: Pexels (cottonbro)

In recent years, short-term rentals (STR) like Airbnb have become a popular choice for travelers. What began as a small start-up has turned into a global phenomenon, with millions of people booking rooms on the platform—especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, where everybody avoided hotels.

But what exactly are people looking for when it comes to their Airbnb accommodations? Just because travelers are back doesn’t mean it’s the same as pre-pandemic times. You need to know what’s trending and if people are after something luxurious or more relaxed and homey experiences.

Knowing that is crucial because it will help you create an Airbnb that guests will want to revisit repeatedly, decreasing your vacancy rate and ensuring that profits keep coming in. So let’s take a look!

6 Trends That’ll Make You the Ultimate Airbnb Host in 2023

Here are six trends to boost your bottom-line profits and increase your occupancy rate. If you’re an Airbnb host or an STR owner, make sure your rental has all the amenities guests are looking for to stand out.

1. Business Travelers Are Back: Make the Space Work-Friendly

Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the business travel industry took a big hit and left it uncertain. Luckily, things are opening up, and business travels are expected to increase this 2023. There’s also anticipation for an increase in business travel spending. This increase means you could receive an influx of professional guests hoping to find comfortable workspaces.

So consider offering amenities that business travelers appreciate, such as multiple plugs and ports for easy charging, fast Wi-Fi, and a spacious desk. You might also want to include a safe where they can store their valuables—anything to make the space feel like a work-home hybrid spot.

2. Travel Is 24/7: Don’t Force Guests to Stick to a Strict Schedule 

People travel around the clock and frequently encounter unexpected situations along the way, so make your check-in time flexible. They can’t control what life may throw at them, so they’ll surely appreciate it if their accommodations can flex along with them.

For instance, suppose a guest’s flight was due to arrive at 9 p.m., but because of aircraft maintenance, they were delayed by two hours. If you listed your Airbnb check-in time as until 10 p.m. with no exceptions, then you’re making everyone’s lives difficult—especially given that 20% of US flights at airports saw delays last year.

So put up a lockbox so that guests can self-check in. Offering options make your listing more appealing to those trying to limit contact with others and increases convenience and safety for all parties.

3. First Impressions Matter: What Will Guests Think?

What will your guests think when they walk through your short-term rental door? Will they notice the badly-lit hallway with peeling paint and crooked frames or the cozy space that feels like a home away from home?

Guests likely won’t spend much time in the entrance area, but this serves as their first impression of your property—don’t miss the chance to wow them right from the start.

Some Airbnb hosts repaint their front door every season, while others opt for more sophisticated features, such as outdoor lights with motion detectors. The goal is to ensure that the “wow factor” is there when the guests arrive, and that the feeling will stay with them throughout their stay.

4. Hotels Aren’t Cool: Turn Your Airbnb Into a Home

People book an Airbnb because they want to feel right at home, as some studies have found. Even when exploring places they’ve never been to before, guests wish for a quiet space to relax. So, to make their stay homey and enjoyable, consider providing these amenities:

  • Toiletries (e.g., shampoo and conditioner)
  • Bath towels and fresh linens
  • Local snacks and drinks (including drinking water)
  • Simple office supplies
  • Don’t forget coffee & tea!

Additionally, you can invest in a Smart TV so they can stream their favorite films and shows, similar to how they probably spend their extra time at home. Moreover, you can go the extra mile and provide a local guidebook to help them explore the area, especially if you get many out-of-town travelers.

5. Minibars Are Useless: Stock the Kitchen with Essentials 

Like most travelers, Airbnb guests will most likely order delivery or grab some take-out for their meals. But one advantage that most short-term rental properties have over hotels is a fully working kitchen, where guests can opt to cook as they do at home.

Of course, they won’t expect your property to have cupboards filled with fresh groceries and a refrigerator stocked with milk and cheese. But there are certain things they hope they won’t have to buy, such as cooking utensils (e.g., pots and pans) and pantry basics (e.g., salt, pepper, sugar, and cooking oil).

Providing a kitchen with all the essentials ensures that your guests have a positive experience in your Airbnb, where they get the comforts of a home beyond that of a hotel room.

6. More Than a Place to Stay: Offer an Experience

You can offer more than a place to stay by offering an experience, too. Add value to your listing and leave your guests with a special memory by sharing a talent or passion of your own. You might decorate with a collection you’ve built over the years or paint the home like your bright, Latin American childhood house.

Integrate activities into your rental house by focusing on one of the 3 categories of Airbnb Experience: culture & history, food, or nature & outdoor. For example, you might focus the vibe of your rental on how to cook like a local, guided hike, or yoga. Whatever activity you choose to focus your style on, ensure its hands-on. Airbnb also has rules for these experiences to be approved, so don’t forget to check them out.

Leaving your guests with a lasting memory (not just that they booked a place to sleep) makes them more likely to recommend and return, which means a chance to earn more cash.

Give Guests Their Dream Airbnb Stay

Airbnb isn’t going anywhere. And with the travel industry starting to return to its pre-pandemic levels, you’ll likely see more and more guests booking your property. Ensure it has everything they’re dreaming of—whether that’s a homey space or world-class amenities—so your rental property investment is always booked. The more you offer, the more they’ll return!

Looking for someone to handle your Airbnb property? Our team of expert property managers are here to help you out. With more than two decades of experience, they’ll take your listing to the next level.

Get in touch with us today to find your perfect partner.

Categories
Shortterm Rentals

How to Find The Best Neighborhoods for Airbnb

To earn the biggest profits from your STR, you need to find the right neighborhood to invest in. Here, we look at some of the things to consider.
An STR in the woods
Photo by Karsten Winegeart

Investing in a short-term rental (STR) is a great way to make some additional income. In fact, according to 2021 figures, the average Airbnb host in North America can make $41,026 annually from a single rental.

But you need to be smart and focus on a lot of factors to earn that impressive amount. 

For example, just picking a neighborhood can make or break your investment. While the right neighborhood with all the right conditions will give you high occupancy and rental rates, the wrong neighborhood will only give you high turnover rates—or worse, complete vacancy.

So, what are the right conditions that make a neighborhood perfect for STR investments? 

Let’s discuss the conditions you need to consider when picking a neighborhood for your Airbnb.

What Makes a Good Neighborhood?

No one factor makes a good neighborhood. You have to consider several characteristics when choosing the area for your Airbnb. When you choose a neighborhood to invest in, look for: 

  • Airbnb occupancy rate
  • Airbnb rental income 
  • Airbnb rent averages
  • Cash-on-cash return

Each factor is as important as the next and they all have to come together seamlessly. For example, if you only take into account the Airbnb occupancy, you could see an 80% rate. But each tenant might be paying you a low amount—and that might not be worth the effort.

So, let’s define each factor and go through their details:

Airbnb Occupancy Rate

The occupancy rate measures the dates a property was booked versus the total number of days it is listed for rent. Factors like location, market saturation, and seasonality can affect a neighborhood’s occupancy rate. 

Now, the average occupancy rate in North America is about 44%, but you’ll want to find areas that give an even higher number. Instead, focus on locations that have the highest occupancy rates such as:

  • Seaside, CA: 71.3% 
  • Little Rock, AR: 75.0%
  • Phoenix, AZ: 64.1%
  • Los Angeles, CA: 55.6% 
  • Columbus, OH: 60.6%

A quick search on Google will give you these numbers. If you find another neighborhood with a good Airbnb occupancy rate, you can consider investing in property there. 

Airbnb Rental Income

The Airbnb rental income will determine how much income your property will generate over time. For you to determine the potential rental income you can earn in a neighborhood, you need to conduct a market analysis. Using market analysis, you can learn: 

  • The real estate appreciation rates of the neighborhood
  • The current and upcoming trends of the real estate market in an area
  • If the neighborhood you’re scouting is suitable for an STR
  • If long-term rentals are more popular in a particular area instead of an STR
  • The overall demand for rentals in the area

Take, for example, Mashvisor’s heatmap. With this tool, you can see the average occupancy rate in Detroit. You can also get a glimpse into the estimated rental income of an Airbnb.  After you perform a market analysis, you should have a good idea of what your Airbnb rental income should look like in that particular neighborhood. 

Airbnb Rent Averages

This is the simplest metric you need to find out. You basically need to look at the average rent STRs are going for in a neighborhood. If you skip this, you might invest in an expensive property that’ll take too long to generate a good return on investment.

You can use Mashvisor to get a good idea of how much people are charging for rent on their Airbnbs. In general, you want to look-out for properties with similar specifications to the property you’re looking to invest in. Watch for things like: 

  • The number of rooms
  • The number of beds and baths 
  • The kinds of amenities available
  • The location (e.g., if it’s near tourist attractions)

Once you have a general picture of how much people are charging for stays in their Airbnbs, you get an idea of how much you can charge. 

This will also help you estimate the maximum amount you should spend acquiring the property, as you’ll want to charge at least 1% of your total property price to recoup costs fast enough. For example, if a property costs $212,000, you’ll want to charge at least $2,120 for the monthly rent.

Cash-on-Cash Return 

Finding out the cash-on-cash returns for similar Airbnbs in a particular neighborhood will give you an idea of whether investing in a neighborhood is worth it. Again, Mashvisor gives you the cash-on-cash returns of Airbnbs in a neighborhood.

To calculate your cash-on-cash return, you just need to follow a simple formula:

Cash-on-cash return (CoCR) = (annual rental income – operating expenses)/total cash investment 

Let’s look at the potential CoCR of the listing we mentioned earlier, with an annual rental income of $25,440 ($2120 x 12) as an example. With a total cash investment of $200,000 and a safe estimate of operating expenses being 1/3rd of the annual rental income, it’ll look like this: 

CoCR = (25,440 – 8395.2)/200000 

CoCR = (17044.8)/200000

CoCR = 0.0852

For this particular example, the cash-on-cash return is 8.52% per year. This is within the benchmark for good CoCR, which is between 8-12%. If you find an area with a CoCR that measures within that range, it’s a good opportunity for your STR.

Pick the Right Neighborhood For Your Investment 

Airbnbs can be a great investment opportunity. However, much like any investment, you need to invest wisely. Choosing the wrong neighborhood will put you at too much financial risk, and you might not see numbers anywhere close to the $41,026 average.

Do your due diligence, analyze your opportunities well, and maybe even consult with experts in the industry, and you can be confident in earning that $41,026—maybe even higher.

Do you think there are other factors to consider when choosing a location for an Airbnb? Let us know your insight in the comments below!

Categories
Shortterm Rentals

Feeling Invisible? Here’s How to Manage Multiple Airbnb Listings for Increased Visibility

Airbnb owner on her cell phone

As COVID-19 slowly loosens its grip on our society, Airbnb’s popularity is reemerging from the ashes. 

While the company saw a 72% drop in its services at the height of the pandemic, Airbnb is now seeing an increase in bookings once more, thanks to significant restructuring.

With this post-pandemic growth, short-term rental landlords are now looking at ways to optimize their vacation rental business to take advantage of the boom. And, more importantly, stand out from the competition. 

One of these techniques is using multiple Airbnb accounts for your various properties, as we’ll see in this article. Of course, there are a few things to keep in mind, but the strategy proves to be a great way to show up more in Airbnb’s search results, increase your property’s visibility, attract more guests, and secure more bookings.

Let’s take a closer look.

Can I Have Multiple Airbnb Accounts?

You may be thinking, “Is it even legal to list the same property on multiple Airbnb accounts?” After all, you don’t want to go against any of Airbnb’s rules and regulations and risk getting banned altogether. The company can track single IP addresses or cross-reference your contact information to prevent its users from having  multiple accounts

Since they do regularly crackdown on users trying to flood Airbnb listings with the same property, we advise against it. However, if you have multiple properties, then you can have a different account for each different property. 

While it is a lot more work, it can be alright if you are operating an Airbnb business with different properties in vastly different areas. We’ll explain why you might do that in a bit. 

Of course, if you don’t want to deal with multiple accounts for your listings, consider posting your properties on multiple platforms instead of just Airbnb. There are plenty of other options today like VRBO, Booking.com, and TripAdvisor. You can even try social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to expand your reach.

Next up, let’s explore the situations where you can have multiple Airbnb accounts. 

When Should I Have Multiple Airbnb Accounts?

As we said, Airbnb doesn’t allow users to manage multiple accounts for the same listings. Although, managing multiple accounts for other situations can be beneficial for your short-term rental properties. Keep in mind, this advice is for people with multiple properties.

Now, here are a few reasons why you might need multiple Airbnb accounts, you can:

  • Have separate accounts for the properties that are in different locations. They’ll have unique addresses that will help potential guests see that your rentals are in a specific area, rather than thinking you’re spread across multiple locations (and might not have expertise in the local area). Plus, if you have Superhost status and get a bad review on a different property, it won’t affect your status on your other accounts.
  • Have separate accounts if you’re running a property management company. This way, your team can oversee several properties across the Airbnb platform. You can have one account for guest bookings and another for hosting services, although this might complicate things for your team.

As you can see, there are some cases where you have multiple Airbnb accounts. But, make sure that you are always following the rules on the platform, so you don’t get banned and miss out on additional income. 

How Can I Manage Multiple Airbnb Accounts?

Now, managing multiple Airbnb accounts isn’t easy. You’ll have to figure out a way to do the following across different accounts, logging in and out of each profile to:

  • Stay on top of your messages and communication with guests
  • Update your calendar to avoid double-bookings
  • Change your prices, post new information, or pick new photos for your listings

It’s a lot to do, but you can use smart tools to streamline daily property management operations and control the many aspects of your short-term rental business. 

Here are a few ways to do so:

  • Hire a property management company to handle properties on your behalf. Get in touch with us if your short-term rental properties are in the Metro Detroit area!
  • Use a vacation rental software solution like AirGMS to automate operations.
  • Bring in a co-host to double your workforce and combine Airbnb techniques.

Follow these tips to help you take care of multiple Airbnb accounts and lessen your chances of going against Airbnb’s rules. Additionally, having a property management company or co-host means you’ll be logging in to Airbnb via different IP addresses, which helps your case.

Level Up Your Airbnb Strategy

Take the time to consider whether you can manage different Airbnb accounts and if it makes sense for your portfolio of short-term rentals. The better you plan for it, the greater the chances of your properties ranking higher in Airbnb’s search results—being more visible to potential guests.

Once everything is running smoothly, you can sit back, relax, and watch your bookings increase alongside Airbnb’s post-pandemic revival. 

Got any thoughts on this listing strategy? Comment down below, and let’s get a conversation going.

Image courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio

Categories
Shortterm Rentals

Best Practices to Optimize Your Airbnb Listing

Wondering why your short-term rental on Airbnb isn’t performing as well as you hoped? 

You might think real estate knowledge is all you need to run a successful Airbnb, but there’s a lot more to it than that. The secret to having a highly-ranked listing and generating traffic on Airbnb is to use marketing skills, rather than real estate know-how.

But it’s not just about creating impressive listings with all the best features and amenities—you need to know how to rank well in search results. By doing so, more potential guests see your listing, and it’ll land you more bookings. And we all know more bookings mean higher profits.

So, to help you in this daunting task, we’ve listed the top ways to optimize your vacation rentals on Airbnb below. Use these ranking optimization techniques to get more people to choose your short-term rental units and see real results.

Tips for Higher Airbnb Ranking

In general, Airbnb recognizes good listings and rewards them with a higher search ranking. Airbnb does this because it wants the users (i.e. your guests) to have the best customer experience on their platform. After all, if they saw a dark basement suite with 2 stars review first, it wouldn’t reflect well on their own brand image.

As a host, your goal is to check off as much of these things as possible to have Airbnb rank your listing higher:

  • Ask for Positive Reviews: According to Airbnb host Nick Child’s data experiment, the average Guest Satisfaction score that shows up on the first page of search is a whopping 83.7%. This means that the more positive reviews you get, the more visible your rental will be.

So, provide your guests with the best experience and encourage them to leave a review after their stay. You want to have as many 5-star ratings as possible to appear on top.

  • Use Instant Book: Instant Book is a feature Airbnb has been pushing to make booking faster and easier for guests. More importantly, Airbnb confirmed that Instant Book is part of their search algorithm, and 50% of its bookings are via this channel.

Additionally, the Instant Book filter might be turned on by default for most guests. With the filter activated, guests will only see the listings that have Instant Book turned on. In other words, your rental might not show up if guests don’t turn off their Instant Book filter.

  • Respond Quickly: You’ll need to have a 90% or higher response rate to use Instant Book. This means that responding within 24 hours or less will boost your search ranking on the platform.
  • Hasten the Booking Process: Since Airbnb prioritizes ease and speed of booking, you should also gain their favor. The faster it is for a guest to finalize a booking with you, the more priority you’ll get on Airbnb’s search algorithm.

If you’re not sure how efficient your process is, evaluate how long it takes for you to finalize booking with a prospect. If they ask a lot of questions and can’t complete the booking within 24 hours, you need to improve your listing and hasten the process.

Improving your listing by adding all features and amenities offered (e.g., wifi, Netflix, cable, water heaters, etc.). That way you’ll reduce the time spent answering potential client clarifications.

  • Keep Booking Commitments: Because Airbnb prioritizes reliable hosts, you should only accept bookings you can commit to.b Every time you cancel or reject guests, Airbnb will see you as an unreliable host, decreasing your visibility on search pages.

One important thing is to ensure that your listing has all the details and considerations listed. That way, the only guests who’ll book with you are the one who agrees to your terms. It’ll be easier for you to accept them since expectations are all met.

  • Update Your Calendar Regularly: Airbnb checks if you’re updating your calendar regularly because they want guests to have an easy time booking a place. Don’t miss bookings when your unit is available, and remember to update it right away when a booking is confirmed.
  • Post Shareable Photos: We all know that good photos attract guests, but what you might not know is how important shareable images are—the types that guests can send to their friends before booking. The more they share your photos, the higher traffic you’ll get, which results in Airbnb prioritizing your listing on search.

Post photos that highlight the features of your listing, photos that aptly describe the place, and ultimately, have the highest chance of being added to the Wishlist feature or shared on social media.

Issues that Lower Your Airbnb Ranking

In contrast, Airbnb also sees “bad listings” and tries their best not to show these to their audience. Moreover, Airbnb also has some features that, when ignored, will lower your search visibility.

Make sure that you don’t do these things, or else you’re jeopardizing your ranking and preventing yourself from attracting guests:

  • Booking Cancellations & Rejections: As we said already, Airbnb wants to prioritize reliable hosts. This is the reason why they’re constantly pushing hosts to achieve the Superhost designation, and will deprioritize any hosts who have a high cancellation rate.

It’s difficult to stop guests from canceling. However, by updating your calendar and including all important details in your listing upfront, you can significantly reduce the chances of guests canceling a booking due to a myriad of reasons.

You also need to make sure you’re not rejecting guests because it will also make your rank go down. Every action you take on Airbnb factors is tracked and being factored into your performance.

  • Extra Charges: Extra service fees and additional security deposits will affect the amount of traffic your listing receives—especially if you’re charging more than other hosts. Once your booking rates drop, your search ranking will fall with it.
  • Too Strict: Flexibility is another factor to consider. While you might want to limit a guest’s stay to just a few days, like the weekend or weekdays, that excludes a lot of people. If you’re more flexible, you’ll appear in more searches. 

Summary

Use all our tips and tricks to optimize your short-term rental listing on Airbnb and help you generate more profits. When you’re a stellar host, your guests will thank you and appreciate it. While some see Airbnb as a means to make money, it’s also a way to provide others a lovely place to stay and create lasting memories when they visit.

Remember that it all boils down to providing a great experience for your guests. Impress them, and you’ll have plenty of people hoping to stay with you. 

Any other tips we’ve missed? Drop us a comment below on what’s worked for you with your Airbnb listing! 

Image courtesy of Andrea Davis

Categories
Shortterm Rentals

Overview of Metro Detroit’s Short Term Rental Market

Property investors are attracted to short-term rental properties because they offer an opportunity to make more than long-term leasing, but the short term rental industry has taken a huge hit during the coronavirus pandemic. In Michigan, STRs were banned from operating during the height of the lockdown, and even now that they’ve been allowed to reopen to guests, vacancy rates are still sky-high – hitting as much as 85% in some areas. 

Furthermore, the great “Airbnb debate” has been raging in many areas of Metro Detroit for years now, with local city councils seeking heightened regulation and a limit to the number of short term rentals permitted within a given area. 

The new proposed ordinance in the City of Detroit, for example, will supposedly eliminate 85% of the nearly 1,000 listings currently active there – something short term rental owners in the area are keen to prevent. This is because, in addition to a rule limiting the number of Airbnbs to roughly 1 per city block, the new regulations would make it so that only owner-occupied properties could be used as a short term rentals. 

Yet “private rooms” in a host’s house account for less than 50% of all the short-term rentals currently on Airbnb in the Metro Detroit area. The rest are whole-place stays, where guests have exclusive use of an entire house or apartment, and these types of properties are where most of the demand will lie as we enter the age of the new normal. 

This could be an opportunity for STR owners outside the City of Detroit to take advantage of the area’s growing tourism industry in the coming years. If the new ordinance is passed, guests may look further afield to Metro Detroit’s Ring Cities as an alternative to staying in hotels or shared STRs in the city center. 

So, if your property is located near to good transport links or local amenities, you should highlight these points in your listing. In places like Hazel Park, Dearborn, and Dearborn Heights, where there are several conference centers catering to private and corporate events, expect a healthy demand from business travelers and out-of-town visitors once we return to normalcy. Whereas, in the shorter term, cities like the Pointes and St Clair Shores might see demand rise as people search for an escape from the more densely-populated metropolitan areas. 

Whether you want to target tourists, businesspeople, or city-dwellers looking for a more remote getaway, the way you present your STR should be in line with what your ideal customer wants. For example: 

Budget Stays – These could be just a simple, private room in the owner’s house, with basic furnishings, or a no-frills apartment. The target market for these types of stays are budget travelers and businesspeople, looking for an alternative to a 2 or 3-star hotel. This means you won’t need to splash out on fancy interiors or extra amenities, but you will need to make sure the property is in a good location, since budget guests will value convenience and affordable travel costs above all else. 

Luxury Stays – These include high-end apartments and lofts or nicely-decorated houses, and should ideally be located in safer, trendier areas with a walkable downtown. Your target market will be the bigger spending guests, looking for an alternative to a 4 or 5-star hotel. This means that you’ll likely have fewer issues regarding the security of your rental, but will almost certainly have to work harder to accommodate guests’ high expectations. Expect to get detailed reviews listing any small thing that your visitors found unsatisfactory, like clutter, dust hiding in corners, or noise from outside the property. 

The short-term rental market in Metro Detroit is still not as developed as it is in other cities, like Chicago, but the industry was growing prior to the coronavirus outbreak, and will likely continue to do so once regular travel resumes. If you operate an STR, keep an eye out for new proposed ordinances in your area, voice your opinions to your local city council, and make sure you adjust your strategy accordingly if nearby cities impose their own Airbnb bans – this could be an opportunity for you to capture guests from those markets. 

Image Courtesy of Monica Silvestre

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