How to list a duplex short-term rental as THREE listings

Question

Dear STR fellow investors

I have a question on advertising a duplex as three listings on airbnb/VRBO:

Supposed I have a duplex, with one side having 3 bedroom and another side having 2 bedroom. In addition to listing them as two listings separately, I would like to have another listing with 5 bedrooms in total to cater large groups. Could you do that properly on Airbnb so that calendars among these listings are all properly linked and won't conflict? How about VRBO?

Any thoughts/inputs on pros, cons, and lessons learned will be appreciated!

Lee

John Underwood · Answer

Why not let them rent just one or the other. Advertise they can rent them both if available.

I think this was discussed recently if you do a search on here.

Mike Shulman · Answer

I currently have a quad plex and logistically it would be a nightmare to get them to line up. I'm booked almost full all the time so you don't really see the need to try to accomplish this. Others are saying you could rent it for more money but I don't agree with that. Consumers are smart and will see your listing could have been split, and if they could have gotten them separately at less money they will get angry and give you a bad review. If anything I would see it going the other way where people would want a better deal for renting both. I guess if you set the five bedroom listing up booking 6 months out and the individual duplex units only booking 3 months out you could probably accomplish this, but I would expect some logistical headaches.

William Beck · Answer

In my opinion, a duplex with 3 listings might be a good idea with the strategy discussed. The only thing to be aware of is SEO cannibalization on the listing sites. 3 listings competing against each other for business (Even though it's your business) could drop each of the listings down in the search results if the conversion rate is affected by having 3 separate listings, vs. 1 listing for the combined duplex. I'd personally look at renting the entire duplex, see how that goes, then if needed splitting into 2 or 3. Either way, you've got options!

Jefferson Brown · Answer

Hey Leon!  Yes that link is the answer to your question.  In terms of advantages and disadvantages I HIGHLY recommend listing it as three listings.  Why?  Bigger properties book out further in advance and for a premium.  So the full duplex will book out first for the most money.  Then, as check-in time gets closer your individual units will start filling in the gaps.  In essence, you get the best of both worlds.  Good luck!

Leon Lee · Answer

I was directed to this article, which should be the solution for my question:

https://www.airbnb.com/help/ar...

Thank you all!

Lee

Luke Carl · Answer

@Julie McCoy

How to list a duplex short-term rental as THREE listings

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