How To Turn Your Home Into A Dream Rental

While renting a spare room or investing in a rental property have always been timeless ways to make a little bit of extra income, the popularity of Airbnb has made this venture so much easier. Since Airbnb only takes 3 percent from each reservation from the renters (as opposed to 6 to 12 percent for guests), listing your space with the company is a convenient and profitable way to earn some cash and meet people from all over the world.

But to get that cash flow, you need to make sure your photos and the property itself gets the attention and views it deserves. In fact, we’d argue that it’s essential to turn your home into the dream Airbnb for your impending guests. From how you build your online profile page (and rack in those reviews) to added perks that will guarantee bookings, follow these steps to get yourself the traction you’re seeking with a vacation property.

Invest In Quality Photos And Video

Even if smartphone photos do keep getting better and better, nothing quite beats a professional camera. Before potential renters or vacationers read your description, they look at the images you choose to represent your home. They’re looking at how large the bedrooms are, the cleanliness of the kitchen and bathroom, the views from your windows or porch and what vibe the overall space gives them. Especially if you’re in a popular destination, they want to feel the rich culture of your town, all while having a safe, restful place to come back to after days full of exploration. For a few hundred dollars (that ahem, you can write off your taxes), you could hire a local photography student at a nearby college to snap some shots for you. If you really want to go the extra mile, do a video tour, too. This really helps to showcase your home and gives an easy, fast glance at what guests can expect.

Make It Feel Like Home

Whether or not someone has traveled a long while to experience a new destination or is traveling for a fast-paced, stressful job, the main purpose and appeal of Airbnb is to have a place that feels homey and comfortable. From how clean the place is to the overhead lighting, making sure it feels less like a vacation property and more like an oasis is important. Look at things like the climate where you’re located and make sure guests can adjust the heating or cooling to fit their needs. Also, invest in the Philips VitaLight that will provide your guests with a natural sunrise simulated wake-up via a soft light that gradually increases brightness  so they can start their day in a new city — and possibly a new time zone — on the right foot.