Hospitable is a great automation software to streamline your short term rental business. It allows for booking channel syncing, AI messaging, guest messaging automation, and easy task delegation between team members.
Lodgify is an easy-to-use vacation rental software. Their most famous features are channel manager and direct booking website builder. Lodgify makes it easy to create your own website where you can take direct bookings and sync those bookings with online travel agencies.
Turnify is an intelligent platform for interacting with cleaners. This is a comprehensive yet intuitive app that offers many features. It has an auto-scheduling feature that automatically creates tasks for team members. Then there is the Virtual Inspection feature that allows you to inspect properties remotely. Last but not least, there is a cleaner scoreboard and smart checklist feature to help you rate cleaners and manage tasks.
Guesty is a cloud-based platform for Airbnb and vacation rental managers. You can manage multiple Airbnb accounts from more than 20 different booking platforms. Guesty's automation tools, channel management and reporting capabilities allow you to monitor all aspects of your day-to-day operations, manage more properties and maintain high levels of service. Their 24/7 guest communication service is also available to screen and assist guests.
Host Tools is a channel manager that helps you run your short-term rental business efficiently without worrying about double-booking. The platform has a convenient multi-calendar so you can see all your bookings side-by-side, no matter which booking site they come from (plus, you can manage all your messages from one place). Host Tools is one of the most intuitive and affordable Airbnb automation apps.
Hosty is a popular Airbnb property management software because it allows you to connect multiple accounts and simplify processes such as communication between guest reservations, cleaning, and more. This is a great property management software for those with multiple Airbnb accounts and various vacation rental properties.
1. Tips for Getting Stated
a. Look at your competition
I. What amenities do they have; hot tub, game room etc?
II. What fees are they charging; Cleaning fee, nightly fee, pet fee, etc.?
III. Do they allow pets?
b. Determine how many it will sleep - more beds does not always equal more money.
I. Consider the size of the beds you will offer
II. Is your area inclined to larger groups/ families, couples
III. What type of guest do you want to attract?
Use this to guide you in creating your short term rental. Look for opportunities where your home can excel. For example if your property is a 3 bedroom and all the other 3 bedrooms have two twin beds per room consider offering a 3 bedroom with queen or king size beds to differentiate your listing. Can you differentiate your listing with amenities no one else is offering or charge lower fees to make your listing more competitive?
2. Document Your Home - Make it easy for guests and streamline operations.
a. Welcome Book - this is for guests and should be made in electronic form and a printed copy should stay at the property. Include the following:
I. Personalized Welcome Page
II. Important Information for Guests Upon Arrival
III. Property Policies
IV. Instructions for Appliances and Electronics
V. Local Transportation Information
VI. Places to Eat
VII. Things to Do
VIII. Things to See
VIIII. Emergency Contacts
b. Home Inventory Book - this is for maids and operators it should be made in electronic form and a printed copy should stay in the supply closet. This makes it easy for a new cleaner to quickly know what to do, and a person unfamiliar with the property to respond to guest inquiries if something comes up. Include the following:
I. Photos of All Rooms - this shows maids how rooms should look, where furniture should be placed, and which throw pillows go where.
II. Photos of Interior of Drawers- so maids can easily put everything away in the right place
III. Photos of Bathrooms: illustrate where towels, bath products etc. go and how many should be placed where
IV. Location of Laundry and Supply Closet: note where replenishables can be found and what needs to be restocked at each turnover
V. Wifi: illustrate where router(s) are located and how to reset if needed
VI. Emergency Shut-Offs: for water and gas
VII. Location of Breaker Panels
VIII. "Don't Forget": Use this section to highlight tasks that may be forgotten, for example "ensure exterior lights are on before you leave, they are the last switch on the right to the left of the front door"
3. Identify Your People
a. Good service providers will make or break your short term rental. Make sure to identify a solid cleaner and a reliable handyman. It's not a bad idea to have a back-up too.
b. When identifying your service providers, be sure to check their:
I. Reputation
II. Technical expertise and capacity
III. Account management
IV. Training, safety equipment
V. Cost
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