How to Stand Out in the New Short-Term Rental Landscape

Today’s short-term rental market is shifting. Good photos—and more importantly, good design—play an even bigger role when potential guests book properties. So how do we stay ahead of the curve and implement good design?

In this week’s edition of the Rental Digest:

• Rental Eye Candy: What it is, and isn’t

• Micro-tip: Wi-Fi password seduction

• Around the Web: Airbnb extravaganza, NYC’s underground booking market, chic Euro design, and the Mexico City ban.

Let’s get into it…

RENTAL EYE CANDY:

What it Isn’t

A few years ago, Airbnb was “booming.” Anyone could list their home with a few mediocre pictures and make more as a vacation rental than they ever could by renting it traditionally.

However, as the space has grown, so too has the number of listings in a given area. That same listing that once tripled the rental rate now barely brings in a profit.

Why is this?

Well, it’s simple. When Airbnb first started, vacation renters were low maintenance. Their expectations for the home weren’t too high. As long as there was a kitchen and living room, it beat staying in a hotel.

But the market is changing. Today’s vacationers prefer listings that are more attractive, Instagrammable, and aesthetic.

What it Is

So how do we become more aesthetic without breaking the bank?

One of our goals as hosts is to convince potential guests why they should click on your listing image. The easiest way to do this is by featuring bright, contrasting walls, cabinets, or furniture. It’s really clickbait—but instead of enticing someone to click a video about mice, we’re enticing people to experience a vacation. Take a look at this listing: Airbnb Listing Example.

Airdna’s market data suggests that this property has an average occupancy rate of 97%, compared to the submarket’s 70% average. It earns $107,400 a year, whereas a similar listing might make $70,000.

I encourage you to click through the listing and ask yourself: What does it have that makes it special?

Because this host asked themselves what would make them stand out from the other listings in their area, they make an extra $30,000 a year.

It’s not complicated. Go through the listings in your area, see which ones you naturally click on, and then emulate what they do.

Photography Matters

As I mentioned our first job is to attract clicks on our listing, but our second job is to convince them to turn those clicks into bookings.

Beyond good design, how do we do this?

We invite them to experience their vacation before they’ve even booked—through thoughtful staging and professional photography. Quality photos allow potential guests to imagine themselves enjoying your space.

If there’s a jacuzzi, make sure it’s bubbling, and capture a shot from the perspective of sitting in it. If your home boasts a cozy living room, stage it with a steaming mug of coffee and a crackling fireplace.

The more you can help guests visualize their stay, the better your chances of standing out from the competition. Skilled photographers excel at creating this immersive experience. The extra $1,000 you invest in top-notch photography will translate into significantly more bookings. Just take a look at your top competitors…

Micro-tip of the Week

Change your Wi-Fi password to

“Pleasegive5starreview”

You can thank me later.

Across the Web

I hope this helps!

Until Next Week,

Tony