Airbnb has come a long way since their 2008 humble beginnings. Many travelers are now preferring to stay in someone’s home as opposed to a hotel, and for a few good reasons. One of which is that it is typically less expensive. At an average cost of $65 per night, you just can’t beat that! While cost effectiveness is undoubtedly a big deciding factor, the level of comfort is often considered to be better in someone’s home over the generic hotel room.

Is Airbnb Right For My Property?

There are a number of things to consider before throwing your home up as an Airbnb listing. If you own your home or condo, you will have less restrictions to worry about. But if you are renting, you will need to double check the lease agreement regarding your subletting policies. Some cities and residential buildings can be stricter in this regard, and may deny you to list on Airbnb altogether. Please check your local and states laws, as well as with your leasing office, prior to listing your home. Many residents have received fines for renting out their homes via Airbnb, and you don’t want to be one of them.

How To Make A Listing

To make a listing on Airbnb is actually quite simple, but a good deal of preparation will be required. There are a number of ways to list your home, by offering the entire home, a private room in your home (they will essentially be a roommate), or a shared room (kind of like a hostel). When you’ve decided how much of your home you want to rent, you must make sure your guests have a clean and comfortable place in which to stay. Could you imagine staying at a hotel and walking into a messy room and dirty sheets? Of course not! It is expected that your guests have an adequately clean with accessible bathrooms, fresh sheets and towels, and the like. Once that’s all done, you should take a few good pictures and write up a nice description of the rentable space to post on Airbnb. It is helpful to mention what there is to do near you, landmarks, transportation options, and also rules like whether or not pets or smoking are allowed.

Go Ahead And List In Confidence

Don’t be afraid to list your space, Airbnb provides a place to review hosts and travelers so that you know who is coming and what their habits are. You may even consider denying certain guests if they have a bad reputation. Airbnb also offers a $1 million liability insurance for you to help protect you in the rare instances of property damage or theft, but it is recommended to read through the policy to make sure all your bases are covered. If all of this seems to work out for you, you can make a little extra money hosting guests in your home! So what are you waiting for? Be a part of the new and unique way to travel!