Transitioning before closing - Airbnb listing

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Transitioning before closing - Airbnb listing

Stephen P.
Member since 2026 · 23 posts · 15 votes

I am buying a property.  I close in 1.5 months.  If I wait to close with my new Airbnb listing, I will lose the Fall season to a significant extent.  The current owner blocked off his calendar after the closing date and cancelled any bookings.  He is not agreeable to do the cancel and rebook thing or anything else.  He did agree to delist as long as he can still service his bookings prior to closing.

Can I set up a new site before closing?  I know I need different pictures and text.  But is there any other option other than to just wait and lose the Fall season?  I am not worried about the deal falling through - we are all set as far as financing, inspections etc.

Advice?

Thank you.

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Mike GrudzienPro Member
Lender · Eugene, OR · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
1mo
Quote from @John Underwood:

You can't have your own live listing till you own the property.

John is correct.
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  • Lauren Kormylo
    Rental Property Investor · Phoenix, AZ and Rehoboth Beach DE · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1mo

    You can set up your listing in advance of closing with text and photos etc.  But you can't have your new listing go live on Airbnb or Vrbo and take bookings until you own the place.  Airbnb and Vrbo will require a utility bill in your name, a mortgage statement, or closing documents to show that you own it.  

    You could always build your own website to take bookings there, but of course won't get much visibility like the platforms have.  Don't forget you may need some time to get the place how you want it, there may be repairs or redecorating needed. 

    0Reply
  • Rick Albert
    Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1mo

    Are you saying you want to have bookings during the escrow period? 

    Not sure why a Seller would be agreeable to you posting a property that you don't own and he takes on the liability. I also don't see Airbnb being okay with this. You will need to contact them directly to see what your options are. 

    0Reply
  • Stephen P.
    OP
    Member since 2026 · 23 posts · 15 votes
    1mo

    No..  I wouldn't take any bookings until after closing.  I would just have the site up in the month before so they could book for after closing.  The seller is the one who suggested this.

    0Reply
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    1mo

    You can't have your own live listing till you own the property.

    1Reply
    • Mike GrudzienPro Member
      Lender · Eugene, OR · Member since 2019 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
      1mo
      Quote from @John Underwood:

      You can't have your own live listing till you own the property.

      John is correct.
      1Reply
  • Stephen P.
    OP
    Member since 2026 · 23 posts · 15 votes
    1mo

    Here's what Airbnb actually says:

    • Hosts must be authorized to host and comply with applicable laws.
    • Airbnb's Terms do not say you must hold title or own the property before publishing a listing. They say you are responsible for your listing and that you must have the legal right to provide the accommodation.

    In fact, many legitimate Airbnb hosts don't own the properties they host:

    • professional property managers,
    • co-hosts,
    • tenants who are permitted to sublet,
    • corporate housing operators.

    Ownership is therefore not the standard—authorization is. If I am under contract and the current owner consents, I am authorized!

    0Reply
  • Andrew SteffensBusiness Member
    Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1mo

    I deal with the transition a lot but have never done it this way.  I think Stephen may be right, we usually show proof of ownership but a contract likely could suffice.

    [email protected]813-563-0877
    Vacation Rentals of Florida53 Reviews
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  • Shiloh LundahlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Gilbert, AZ · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    1mo

    I would absolutely list it right now. Get awesome pictures. You could do some AI enhancements as long as when they get there they don't think that they were catfished. especially right before the busy season. Just as long as you aren't going to back out at closing, and you have no reasonable suspicion that the seller would either.

    I have some properties out in Costa Rica that are pretty awesome. my mountain properties on 2-and-a-half acres. we built a tiny house and a treehouse on the properties and I listed them on Airbnb before they were finished. I also advertise them with the other properties to let people know that we were building them and when they would be finished and then they could book them along with the bigger properties if they wanted to. this made it that as soon as we were finished with the treehouse and tiny house, we had people booking them right away. Airbnb didn't ask for any sort of settlement statement, utility bill, or proof of ownership or anything when I listed them. Granted these were new listings in Costa Rica so there may be more regulation in the states.

    I personally list it so that I didn't miss the fall season.

    480-206-1209Podcast Guest on Show #287
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  • Alexis Engelking
    Member since 2026 · 5 posts · 0 votes
    1mo

    Before you flip it live, spend the time on accuracy and the guest journey, not adjectives. Inventory the exact sleeping arrangements (bed sizes, which room sleeps whom), bathrooms, kitchen equipment, parking and how to get in, Wi-Fi/workspace, stairs/elevator/accessibility, and noise sources or shared spaces. Draft in this order: one factual sentence on what the place is, then the three strongest specific benefits, room-by-room details, location context, honest limitations (noise, stairs, street parking, events), house rules, and check-in/check-out basics. Then compare every sentence against your photos - if you can't verify "quiet", "walkable", or "fully stocked", qualify it or cut it. Have one person who has never seen the property read the listing and list what they still don't know; those gaps become your pre-arrival message and guide. And walk the guest journey yourself once before your first stay: booking, directions, access, Wi-Fi, checkout.

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  • Vijay FriedmanBusiness Member
    Miami, FL · Member since 2026 · 766 posts · 121 votes
    1mo
    Quote from @Stephen P.:

    I am buying a property.  I close in 1.5 months.  If I wait to close with my new Airbnb listing, I will lose the Fall season to a significant extent.  The current owner blocked off his calendar after the closing date and cancelled any bookings.  He is not agreeable to do the cancel and rebook thing or anything else.  He did agree to delist as long as he can still service his bookings prior to closing.

    Can I set up a new site before closing?  I know I need different pictures and text.  But is there any other option other than to just wait and lose the Fall season?  I am not worried about the deal falling through - we are all set as far as financing, inspections etc.

    Advice?

    Thank you.

    @Stephen P.
    That's a tough situation, especially with the fall season approaching. Since the seller isn't willing to transfer bookings, I'd spend the time before closing getting your branding, listing photos, pricing strategy, and direct booking assets ready so you can publish as quickly as ownership transfers. A fast launch can help minimize the gap even if you can't preserve the existing reservations.

    786-656-0387
    DreamPoint Capital
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