How to Turn a New Build Into a Top-Rated Airbnb

The short-term rental business has transformed. Visitors do not go to a hotel in search of affordable accommodation. They want an experience. They desire professional design. And they desire smooth sailing.

A blank canvas is a big plus to begin with. These elements can be baked into the property at the very beginning.

But how do you get out of being just built to being full-booked? Here is the game plan.

Airbnb Layout Tips: Optimizing Your Floor Plan

The biggest error that beginner hosts commit is to treat an Airbnb building as their personal house.

You would have it comfortable, of course. You must keep in mind though that there are hundreds of strangers who will be walking through your doors. They will bring along heavy suitcases down the hall. They will not always remove their shoes. Their privacy is their most important value.

This is to your advantage in case you are still in the planning stage. That is the true strength of custom build homes—you do not have to live with an old clumsy design. The floor plan can be structured in a specific way to make money.

Try these layout tips:

• Focus on En-Suites: In group travelling, no one will be willing to share a bathroom. When all bedrooms are master suites, then you can make higher charges.
• Select Bulletproof Floors: No expensive hardwood. Choose Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or polished concrete. They look expensive and are able to withstand heavy traffic without scratches.

Airbnb Interior Design: Furnishing for the Scroll

As soon as the construction crew is gone, you are left with an empty shell. This is where either you win or lose the booking.

Keep in mind that guests are shopping with their eyes. They scroll hundreds of listings on small phone screens. You have two seconds to capture their attention.

Your furniture cannot appear like a bunch of old stuff you have left in your garage. It must appear curated and cohesive. But, purchasing furniture for an entire house is tiresome. You must contend with shipping, assembly and matching colors. 

A complete airbnb furniture package is the smartest shortcut to many investors. These services take care of all that. They also style the sofas, the carpets, and the paintings so that the house appears as a professional design project. This saves you weeks of time and more so, it makes your airbnb photos pop.

Marketing Your Space: Creating Instagrammable Moments

To be an instant hit, you must have free marketing. Free marketing is the most effective when guests share pictures of your space on social media.

These are moments that you have to engineer. You do not have to have a neon sign in every room but you need one or two wow factors.

Ideas for visual hooks:

• An accent wall with colored wallpaper.
• An egg chair, suspended in a snug reading-corner.
• An outdoor fire pit with a gorgeous light set up.

They will not take pictures if the space resembles their own house. If it appears to look like a boutique hotel, they will instagram tag you and do your marketing.

Essential Amenities: Smart Technology and Comfort

You have an opportunity to get the infrastructure right since you have a new build. Contemporary users are not tolerant of bad technology.

• Wi-Fi: Hardwire points to the ceilings. The connection should be blazing fast.
• Working environment: In case you are targeting business travelers, then you should provide a special desk with a comfortable ergonomic chair.
• Access: Get rid of physical keys. Install a smart lock of high quality. It also enables you to come up with unique codes to each guest and the check-in process is smooth and safe.

Don’t forget comfort. Heated bathroom floors are a luxury that comes up in every review in case you are in a cold climate. In case it is hot, make sure the A/C is powerful and quiet. These intangible amenities become the driver of 5-star ratings.

Stocking Checklist: Kitchen and Bathroom Essentials

A big difference exists between a stocked and a functional kitchen. An instant hit property makes one feel at home and not in a hotel room.

For the Kitchen:

• Matching Sets: Purchase good crockery and lots of wine glasses (have more than the maximum number of guests).
• Coffee: A pod machine is alright, but an espresso machine or pour over set will make you feel appreciated regarding their morning routine.
• Cookware: Have more than a single frying pan. Provide them with the equipment to cook a meal.

For the Bathroom:

• Get rid of the miniatures: Small travel bottles are inexpensive and wasteful.
• Go big: Have wall-mounted dispensers that are tamperproof. Stuff them with good quality shampoo, conditioner and body wash. It appears luxurious and much easier to refill by cleaners.

The Airbnb Launch Strategy for New Hosts

You built it. You furnished it. Now, you need to launch it.

Do not simply post the listing and hope. You must have a plan to gain momentum.

Professional Photography

Never use your smartphone. Contract an architectural photographer. They understand the application of light and angles in order to make rooms appear big. 

The “New Listing” Discount

First of all, you should price your property 20 per cent below the competition. The first month is not about profit, but reviews. You should have 3-5 glowing reviews within the shortest time possible. When you have that social proof, then you can increase your prices.

The Soft Opening

Prior to a paying guest coming, invite a friend to stay over the weekend. Request them to be hideously frank.

• Is the shower pressure good?
• Does the bedroom get too bright in the morning?
• Does the coffee machine seem confusing?

This is the solution to fix these minor problems before a negative review.

Conclusion

Making a new build an Airbnb success is not merely a matter of construction. It is about hospitality.

Guests are buying a feeling. They desire to relax, have luxury and forget their day to day lives. The blank slate of a new build can be used to produce a guest-first layout, and this, combined with emphasis on high-quality design and seamless details, can be used to avoid the slow start.

You have to act as a professional business when renting and the bookings will come.

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