Columbia, SC · Member since 2014 · 133 posts · 190 votes
We've recently sold a condo in Myrtle Beach and bought a new beach house in N Myrtle Beach/Cherry Grove and I'm looking for some top suggestions for features that guests love to see in a property. We thought we had done a good job with our condo until a superhost bought it and did a few things we didn't think about over the years (dedicated work space/desk, high chair, pack n play) and I just want to start with fresh eyes and suggestions. What do you personally do to make the best impression and get the most revenue? Some main points: we have a pool, 4 bedrooms, and are walking distance to the beach and Cherry Grove fishing pier. One thing I am definitely copying from another Airbnb we stayed at is putting in a "favorite places/things to do" sheet to really personalize the experience to where our house is compared to others. Let me know what you've seen to really make your property stand out over others and thanks!
Add a digital guidebook like touchstay or hostfully. You can add tons of info for the guests and it also solves 99% of their questions.
Also you can add a product like Stayfi. Makes them enter their email address to access the internet so you capture it in a database and can market directly to them in the future.
As someone who rents an oceanfront property with extended family almost every summer, here are my suggestions. 1) Do a mid-summer deep clean and inspection if you can. We usually rent in August, and by then the carpets have spots, wood furniture like benches or chairs has come unglued, light bulbs are burned out. 2) Have a stick vacuum and/or broom and dustpan for guests. Sand gets all over at the beach. The last place we stayed had none of those, and I had to go out a buy and broom and dustpan, and left it there. 3) If you have the room, have an outdoor shower enclosure. LOVE those when coming back from the beach all sandy. Outdoor showers are often mentioned in reviews. At the very least, have an outdoor spigot for washing off feet and boogie boards.
@John Underwood man those are liability issues like mad with very little ROI. Imho
Hey Aaron. I'm curious as to why you feel this way? Airbnb has a $1 million policy covering the host and the ROI is phenomenal and much higher than a long term renter in my experience. Is your opinion based on an experience you had or know of? Or am I misunderstanding what you are referring to? Thanks
Hi! I am speaking from experience of numorous rentals across the US. The roi is great if you can run it well.
The abb insurance is a joke. Not a reason not to do STRs just dont count on it. Its more advertising ploy then insurance.
I was referring specificly to John suggestion of providing an outdoor grill and golf cart. Those are highly risky amenditities with mimimial roi. I could imagine houses/scenaros where they are needed, but most homes its mostly downside
Dude if you can't offer a grill at an STR then you might as well pack it up in most areas because in a lot of tourist destinations the guests absolutely want a grill. As far as insurance goes, you shouldn't be counting on AirBnb insurance, you need to have your own insurance covering your rental. As far as things like golf carts, fire pits, pool and hot tubs.. you need to go through your insurance company and follow whatever they tell you so you are definitely covered.
Dude if you can't offer a grill at an STR then you might as well pack it up in most areas because in a lot of tourist destinations the guests absolutely want a grill. As far as insurance goes, you shouldn't be counting on AirBnb insurance, you need to have your own insurance covering your rental. As far as things like golf carts, fire pits, pool and hot tubs.. you need to go through your insurance company and follow whatever they tell you so you are definitely covered.
Ken, the people on here that make posts about fire pits, grills and hot tubs makes me think the general population is pretty stupid.
So I'm calling out all you people on this forum. Can you build a fire pit, a grill, or an outdoor hot tub? I've done all 3.
@Brian G. It is optional to use but no additional cost. You turn on a splash screen under themes and one of the options is to capture guests email. The idea being that you put the QR code or URL of the guidebook in your cabin or email to your guests ahead of time and the other guests staying with them will use it as well. You probably won't get everyone's email address but it's no additional cost to use this feature.
Here's another thing we've implemented in our properties with great feedback. We made video instructions of certain things throughout the property (Example: How to Operate the TV). Instead of printing out a list of instructions for the guest to read, we did a quick video walkthrough, and attached it to a QR code for the guest to scan on their phone. The QR code is the size of a business card and says "Scan for TV Instructions" - sits right beside TV. They scan the code on their phone and video comes right up walking them through how to operate.
This gives the guest the answer they want immediately, and eliminates the need for them to contact us. Haven't been asked about the TV since we implemented. May seem small, but sometimes it's the small touches that go a long way with the guest experience.
I haven't seen it mentioned, but we find good value in having smart locks for our STRs. We use Schlage Encode locks and program individual door codes for each guest that is either the last 4 of their phone number or a convenient code they provide us. Their unique code is only active during their scheduled stay. It helps ease some concerns about previous guests being able to access the unit.
Also, we can set it up to let us know each time the code is used (when guests arrive, late night entry, etc). It helps ensure they don't check in 3 hours early while the place is still being cleaned, and may help indicate if they are up late partying. Many people have tried to enter way early without asking for early check in. We also know when the cleaners and handyman arrive and depart which is helpful.
Great - keep them coming! To clarify, we are actually using a rental company and not doing everything ourselves but I know superhosts always go a step above and I want to do as much as I can on my end to make sure they do their part well.
First thing you should do is fire the rental company... it is costing you way more than you think. Own your listing! that is non-negotiable
@Ilan M Aliphas I am completely fine with property management on this one. I work full time, manage 5 other rentals, and a wife and 2 kids. I prefer not to spend a ton of my free time managing weekly renters. Maybe in the future I'll reconsider but it's money will spent for now. I know the technology has made it much easier but still not ready personally yet.