There are different scenarios where you might be interested in the feasibility of managing an Airbnb remotely.
Maybe you have a second home or are considering one that when you arent using it, youd like to rent on Airbnb. This is common. Another scenario might be if you want to travel the world for a while or take a sabbatical, and you want to rent out your primary residence while you do so.
How possible is it to manage an Airbnb remotely?
Theres going to be no way to manage your Airbnb remotely unless you have a good local team of people you can count on.
First and foremost, choose the right housekeeper. The cleanliness and how well maintained your Airbnb is are important to your ratings and the amount of money you can make. Your housekeeper can make or break you when it comes to Airbnb.
Your housekeeper will be more than someone who cleans your property and gets it ready for the next guests. Theyre also going to let you know your propertys condition regularly and whether something is damaged or needs to be repaired. They can alert you if one of your guests breaks or steals something so you can deal with it in a timely way.
Along with your housekeeper, youll also need a >
While you might need them less often, have a plumber, electrician, and HVAC professional in mind who you can call as needed.
Along with your housekeeper, you might also hire someone who serves as a property manager. All of these people will cost money, but if youre going to make money remotely, youll need them.
A property manager should keep a running list of everything the house should always be stocked with and should replace items or let you know when theyre needed.
In some cases, your housekeeper may be able to do this, but it needs to be someone you trust to do a thorough job.
You dont necessarily need someone to be present during check-in, and a lot of guests prefer self-check-in.
You can use a lockbox, such as a smart lock.
There are services you can use to send access instructions to your guests automatically. You can also manage entry remotely. If guests are having a hard time, many of these services will send you an alert.
If youre going to manage your Airbnb remotely and youre not working with a management company, youre going to need a detailed guestbook. The book should include any and everything that your guests might need to know.
This includes local restaurants and attractions, how to work appliances and house features, transportation information, what to do if the power goes out, and how to access Wi-Fi. You should also include phone numbers and contact information for your service providers such as your plumber and electrician. Provide your phone number and give your guests the option to FaceTime you if they need help with something.
If you arent sure where to start with your guestbook, consider spending a few days in the home as a guest would. Go through your day-to-day routines and think about what you might have questions about if you were a guest at the property.
If you arent going to greet your guests personally, you can make them feel welcome with gifts. Have your housekeeper leave something personalized for each new set of guests. Before they check-in, ask if theyre celebrating anything special.
Maybe you leave a bottle of wine, or perhaps some snacks.
Your guests will appreciate the personal touch, even if you arent there to personally deliver the gifts.
Overall, it is possible to manage an Airbnb remotely, particularly with technology and a dedicated team of people on the ground who you trust. Finding people to trust is perhaps the most critical part of managing your rental business from afar.
You also need to make time to regularly check in on the property in person and ensure that everything looks good and nothing needs repairs or updating.
