Give your space a guest-friendly makeover “That way, you can understand what people value and what things they’re looking for - or missing - in a place to stay.”

“Read the reviews to get a sense of what’s out there,” Leslie says. Your competitive edge: Is there anything that makes - or could make - your property stand out? Ask yourself why guests should choose your home over the other options in your city.This is a great investment that will pay off in future revenue. If you want your listing to stand out, consider hiring a pro. A quick look at Airbnb listing photos, and you can easily tell the ones that were snapped by the host’s iPhone and the ones that were shot by a photographer. Photography assistance: In the age of smartphones, we all think we’re photographers, but there’s a reason why some photos look better than others ( hint: they’re taken by experts).What do you like or dislike? Make a list you can reference as you plan your own home makeover. What makes the spaces stand out? Maybe it’s the minimalist décor, clean paint colors, or special amenities. Design ideas: As you peruse Airbnb listings, you’ll notice that some look much better than others.Airbnb rules: Are you fine with children and pets in your home? How many people can comfortably sleep there? Consider what’s feasible and what’s out of the question.Booking availability: Are you able to offer your home throughout the year, or are there times when your listing will be unavailable? How much turnover time do you want? Leslie says that most of her guests stay for a week, but she’s had bookings ranging from two nights to two months.Nightly rates: Look at prices for various types of accommodations and amenities to get an idea of how to assess your own place.Some things you’ll need to contemplate before creating your own listing: There are lots of great resources out there - even one managed by Airbnb. To start, she suggests getting in the right headspace by setting up an Airbnb account, looking at other listings in your area, and reading articles on what it takes to be an effective host (you’ve already got a jump on that one!). She’s stayed at numerous Airbnb rentals herself, so she knows what it takes to be successful - as well as some common mistakes to avoid. Leslie currently owns a one-bedroom apartment in Bozeman, MT, that she lists on Airbnb, and she’s also rented a room in her Maryland home. We talked to Airbnb Superhost Leslie Taylor, and she offered some insight into what it takes to be a highly rated host. (Source: Ekaterina Bolovtsova via Pexels) 1.

Setting up an airbnb