You’d like to offer shelter in a crisis, but you’re unsure how your short-term rental can help. It’s situations like these where your AirBNB property management company in Sedona, AZ, can be a great resource. If you have questions regarding how to offer your rental unit as a shelter for displaced families and individuals, we have answers. Here’s what we know:

AirBNB Will Pay for Your Guest’s Stay

You can offer to host emergency guests at a discounted rate, but it’s not required. AirBNB will take on the responsibility of paying for the use of your rental unit for guests who have been displaced due to disaster or emergency, or for guests who are seeking refuge. They’ll also waive any fees normally charged to you or to your emergency guest.

Your Guests Will Be Vetted Before Referral

You won’t have to worry whether someone is taking advantage of your good intentions, because AirBNB makes sure guest information is accurate. This means guests must either be referred to AirBNB by a legitimate nonprofit organization or resettlement agency, or they must show proof of residency in an area affected by a disaster. In some instances, guests are required to provide special immigrant visas to book an emergency stay with AirBNB.

All the Same Safeguards Will Be in Place

As the host, you’ll enjoy the same protection as normal, including the protections offered by AirBNB’s Host Guarantee. Accordingly, you’ll receive:

• Up to $3 million in coverage against damage by guests
• Reimbursement for missing items or unexpected cleaning expenses,
• Reimbursement for lost income during clean-up

This means you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by offering your short-term rental to guests impacted by disaster or displacement. This may include providing shelter for emergency service workers as they assist during clean-up of natural disasters including, flood, fire, or earthquake.

If you’d like to learn more about the AirBNB process of becoming an emergency shelter for families or individuals in need, talk with a representative from Sojourn Properties LLC, your AirBNB property management company in Sedona, AZ. This is the individual who can help guide you through the process, making life better for you and for your emergency guest.

If you talk to the grizzled property owners of the world, they might say that nothing shocks them anymore. Because every guest has their own lives, those personal preferences are inevitably going to bleed over into their vacation stays. However, for those who are new to the world of short-term rentals, you might be confused as to the best ways to respond. We’ll look at the best ways to talk to people, even when you’re thoroughly taken aback by what they’re asking for.

Be Thoughtful

The first thing you need to do with an unusual request is to take the request seriously. There are times when a request will be a joke, but it’s likely that most requests will be a sincere question from the guest. Instead of laughing it off or immediately saying no, take a beat to think about it and see if there’s a way to do it.

Charge Appropriately

There’s no need to rub in an extra fee to the guest, nor is there a need to inflate the charges because you either don’t want to take care of the request or you’re hoping to make some serious cash for the extra effort. If you truly don’t want to make the request happen at your property, politely decline. If you can make it happen, come up with a reasonable amount and then make it clear how much the guest will need to pay for the additional consideration.

Think of Solutions

There are plenty of property owners who will flat out refuse an unusual request. They won’t even consider compromises at any level. Admittedly, this isn’t a terrible tactic at times. Some guests will push and push until the whole situation becomes a mess. However, especially for new property owners, you might want to think about how you can meet the guest halfway.

Property Managers in Scottsdale, AZ

If you’re in need of Airbnb management in Scottsdale, AZ,Sojourn Properties LLC is here to help. Whether it’s getting a separate mattress for the primary bedroom or hosting the guest’s seven canaries in the second bedroom, the reality is that you’re going to have some unique things pop up along the way.

Have your short-term rentals taken a dip lately as far as occupied nights? While there is always an ebb and flow to interest in short-term rentals in AZ due to changing seasons and travel patterns, if your numbers are dropping substantially, other problems could be to blame. Check out four often overlooked reasons for a dip in short-term property guest interest.

1. Has something changed about local competition?

Occupancy rates can naturally decline if there are suddenly more options in one general location. For example, if a competitor opens up a collection of condos for rent nearby at a similar price point, this could create a decline in your rentals.

2. Have you recently changed your per-night rates?

Occasionally, adjusting your per-night rates is a must. However, if you accidentally overshoot the proper price point for the area, you could easily see your occupancy rates decline. Take a look at the current going rates for properties that are similar to yours and make adjustments as needed to keep your own pricing in line with the market.

3. Has a local event or occurrence changed location perception?

It is not at all uncommon for certain events or occurrences to change how desirable a location is to stay at for travelers. For example, if there has been a highly publicized crime or event that came with negative connotations, this can affect occupancy rates for short-term rentals. In the event this seems to be affecting your rentals, be sure to pay close attention to highlighting the security features or safety of your specific rental.

4. Have you recently had a few negative reviews?

If you’re dealing with a short-term rental like an Airbnb or vacation rental where online reviews are possible, make sure you haven’t had a negative review or two lately. Travelers looking for these quick-and-easy accommodations can be highly apprehensive if prior guests had complaints. This is especially true if the complaints are posted recently. If you do spot negative reviews, answer the reviewer promptly and professionally, and make sure any issue that resulted in a complaint is corrected.

Get Help with Your Short-Term Rentals in Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Sedona, AZ

Short-term rental management in AZ can come along with a lot of work. If your occupancy rates have recently gone down, it may be a sign that you need a bit of help. Reach out to the team at Sojourn Properties to find out about our services.

Competition is tough for Airbnb hosts. There are more than 7 million properties available for rent through the hosting platform. One of the criteria that Airbnb travelers base their choices on the reviews from previous guests. Even a perfunctory look at posted reviews shows that, with Airbnb guests, little touches make a big impression.

More often than not, reviews cite the little extra touches as the reasons why they recommend a particular Airbnb property. The following are some little touches that you and your Airbnb property management company in Scottsdale, AZ can easily implement.

Create an Aesthetically Pleasing Environment

Airbnb guests may not expect the amenities of a 5-star hotel, but they often leave comments about added touches, such as an aesthetically pleasing environment.

Providing small touches, such as bottled waters, snacks, and local menus can go a long way. Invest in decorating tips like fresh flowers or essential oils to make your place look and smell more inviting.

Be Responsive

Often, a traveler will need to have a question answered before they feel comfortable making an Airbnb booking. Potential guests feel better when their questions are answered in a timely manner. Your Airbnb property management company in Scottsdale, AZ offers communications services 24/7, so your guests are always sure to receive accurate and timely communication.

Help with Local Attractions

Because Airbnb guests often come from areas outside of where the property is located, they appreciate help navigating the local scene. This includes everything from assistance in finding things to do, obtaining tickets, or even making telephone calls when traveling internationally.

An indexed binder placed in the property will help your guests help themselves. Include the basics, such as local numbers and names of local taxi services, the location of various groceries and shopping centers, as well as information about where to the find “the best of,” such as souvenirs, clothing, local produce, etc.

You may want to provide local menus, maps, and other amenities, such as favorite hiking trails or distances to local attractions.

Information About the Property

Finally, be sure to include helpful information, such as how to shut off the water in an emergency, where to deposit trash, and when the trash day is. Provide manuals on how to operate the appliances and similar, practical concerns.

Follow these tips to help yourself get great reviews on Airbnb. Remember, great reviews help you stand out among your competition on Airbnb. For assistance with these and other matters concerning your Airbnb in Scottsdale, AZ, please contact us today.