Tag: Airbnb

Airbnb, Services

The Ultimate Guide to Preparing Your Property for Short-Term Rentals

The Ultimate Guide to Preparing Your Property for Short-Term Rentals

Thinking about turning your property into a short-term rental? Whether you’re aiming to generate passive income, host guests from around the world, or dip your toes into the vacation rental market, proper preparation is key to standing out and succeeding.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to get your home guest-ready—from safety and comfort to design and compliance.

First Impressions Matter—Curb Appeal and Entry

  • Make sure the exterior is clean and inviting: mow the lawn, trim plants, power wash surfaces.
  • Consider upgrading your welcome mat and adding warm touches like potted plants.
  • Ensure your door has a modern, secure lock system—preferably a smart lock. We can not recommend the Schlage Encode enough!

Interior Readiness Checklist

Deep Clean

Floors, windows, under the couch, behind headboards, and all surfaces

Furniture

Each room must have the basics. This is standard and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Declutter

Remove family photos and excess décor. Balance here is key regarding décor.

Trendy Styling

Keep it simple, minimal, and cohesive throughout the entire property.

Safety and Compliance: Protecting Your Guests and Property

  • ✅ Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors
  • 🧯 Fire extinguisher accessible in kitchen/living area
  • 🩹 Fully stocked first-aid kit
  • 📋 Emergency contact info & house rules printed
  • 🏛️ Comply with local STR laws, licenses, and permits

The Extras That Make a Difference

Tech Setup

Provide fast Wi-Fi, a Smart TV with streaming apps, and convenient USB charging stations. Guests expect seamless tech, and these extras make your place stand out.

Kitchen Essentials

Stock the kitchen with basics: oil, salt, pepper, a good coffee setup, cookware, and dish soap. It shows you’ve thought of their everyday needs.

Cozy Touches

Throw blankets, family games, and a welcome note or snack turn an average stay into a memorable one. These little gestures often earn 5-star reviews.

Cozy Touches

Throw blankets, family games, and a welcome note or snack turn an average stay into a memorable one. These little gestures often earn 5-star reviews.

Photography and Listing Prep

Your listing photos are your first impression—and often your only chance to capture attention. Whether you hire a professional or shoot it yourself, make sure the space is clean, well-lit, and staged to highlight the best features.

After photos, your listing description seals the deal. Keep it honest but inspiring. Focus on who your space is perfect for, highlight nearby attractions, and sprinkle in local flavor.

Pro Tip:

Listings with professional photos earn up to 40% more bookings than those with DIY images. Combine great visuals with optimized descriptions for max visibility.

Conclusion

Creating a welcoming and well-prepared short-term rental takes time and attention to detail—but the results are worth it.

When your home is clean, well-stocked, beautifully photographed, and marketed thoughtfully, you’ll earn better reviews, attract more bookings, and ultimately increase your rental income.

Not sure where to start or want help getting it right the first time? That’s what we’re here for.

Want to Hand Off the Hosting Work?

At Stay Nestled, we offer boutique co-hosting services tailored to fit your needs—whether you’re looking for full-service support or just help behind the scenes. We help homeowners earn more while spending less time managing.

Book a Free Discovery Call
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Airbnb

What Is an Airbnb Co-Host and Why You Might Need One

What Is an Airbnb Co-Host and Why You Might Need One

Thinking about turning your home or second property into an Airbnb, but not sure you want to manage all the day-to-day tasks that come with it? That’s where a co-host can be a game changer.


In this post, we’ll break down what an Airbnb co-host is, what they actually do, and how partnering with one can help you run a successful short-term rental—without burning out.

What Is an Airbnb Co-Host?

An Airbnb co-host is someone who helps manage a short-term rental on behalf of the property owner. Think of them as your behind-the-scenes partner—handling the details, so you don’t have to.


Depending on your needs, a co-host can be very hands-on or manage your property remotely using a combination of tech tools and trusted local vendors. Some co-hosts live nearby and visit often, while others operate remotely and only visit quarterly or annually for property check-ins.

Co-Host Vs. Property Manager

While both help manage rental properties, co-hosts specialize in short-term rentals like Airbnb and offer a more flexible, tech-driven approach compared to traditional property managers.

Task/Feature

Co-Host

Property Manager

Specializes in short-term rentals

✅

❌

Works with Airbnb platform

✅

❌

Handles long-term tenant leases

❌

✅

Offers flexible, tailored services

✅

❌

Uses automation and pricing tools

✅

❌ / sometimes*

Coordinates cleanings and turnovers

✅

✅

Local to the property

❌ / sometimes*

✅

Offers remote management

✅

❌

Charges lower fees (varies by service)

✅ / varies

❌ / typically higher

Available for guest communication

✅

❌

Focuses on maximizing short-term income

✅

❌

*Some property managers are beginning to adopt tech and automation tools, but it’s not yet industry standard.

Rather than being locked into high-fee, rigid contracts, many co-hosts offer a boutique experience—custom-tailored to your goals, your property, and your preferred level of involvement.

You don’t live near your property

A co-host can be your eyes and ears on the ground—or manage the property remotely with systems in place.

You’re Short on Time

Between work, kids, and life, you may not have time to handle inquiries, guest check-ins, and turnovers. A co-host takes care of it all.

You Want Higher Earnings

Co-hosts can help improve your listing, boost reviews, and use data-driven tools to optimize your nightly rates and occupancy.

How Co-Hosting Works on Airbnb

Airbnb makes it easy to add a co-host directly to your listing. You can customize their access and permissions—whether it’s just messaging guests or full operational control. Co-hosts typically earn a percentage of each booking or charge a flat monthly fee, depending on the level of service.

What to Look for in a Great Co-Host

✅ Proven Airbnb experience with 5-star listings
✅ Prompt, professional communication
✅ Reliable cleaning and maintenance partners
✅ Knowledge of automation and pricing tools
✅ Values aligned with yours and your guest experience

Want to Hand Off the Hosting Work?

At Stay Nestled, we offer boutique co-hosting services tailored to fit your needs—whether you’re looking for full-service support or just help behind the scenes. We help homeowners earn more while spending less time managing.

Book a Free Discovery Call

Final Thoughts

Hiring a co-host might be the smartest move you make as a short-term rental owner. Whether you’re new to Airbnb or growing a multi-property portfolio, a co-host can help you level up without the overwhelm.


Got questions? Drop a comment or reach out—we’d love to help.

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Airbnb

The Future of Airbnb Hosting: 2025 Trends You Must Know

The short-term vacation rental industry is evolving, and staying ahead of future trends will be crucial to Airbnb hosts who want to maximize success. As the calendar flips into 2025, a few key trends are shaping what the future holds for hosting on Airbnb. Whether you’ve beenhosting for years or just starting out, knowing these changes can assistyou in maxing out your rental and staying competitive. Here are five trends to watch and consider adding to your 2025 strategy.

Increased Demand for Unique and Immersive Stays

Trend: More and more tourists are seeking unconventional and immersive stays that are more than just a place to sleep. Dull cookie-cutter rentals are being replaced by houses that provide anunforgettable and different experience. Travelers seek places to stay that align with their interests, be it a treehouse, a tiny house, or a historical loft.

What Hosts Can Do:

  • Create themed properties (e.g., nature escapes, upscale city lofts, or heritage homes) that attract niche travelers.
  • Provide local experiences, like guided tours, cooking lessons, or adventure packages, to enhance an immersive stay.
  • Emphasize your property’s distinguishing features in your listing description and photos to draw experience-hungry travelers.
  • Spend in high-quality, Instagram-worthy furniture that makes your rental look beautiful and shareable on social media.

Personalized Guest Experiences

Trend: Airbnb guests anticipate tailored experiences, from welcome gifts to customized itineraries. Tailoring stays to fit guest desiresincreases satisfaction and inspires positive reviews and returnbusiness.

What Hosts Can Do:

  • Provide a customized welcome book with local insights, including restaurants, sightseeing, and hidden gems.
  • Leave freebies like snacks, drinks, or welcome messages to create a warm, memorable impression for the stay.
  • Utilize past guest stay preferences to create a more personalized experience, such as adjusting the room temperature, providing extra pillows, or offering specific brands of coffee.
  • Enable seamless communication through automated messages that remain personal, so the guests feel valued throughout their visit.

Tighter Regulation and Compliance

Trend: Municipality and city-level short-term rental regulation isbecoming more strict, limiting the freedom of hosts to operate unconstrained. Playing by the laws is increasingly being a part of being an Airbnb host, with non-compliance resulting in big fines or de-listing.

What Can Hosts Do:

  • Catch up on local code and licensing regime, as locality-specific short-term rental legislation operates at the state and city level.
  • Ensure compliance on taxes, zoning laws, and HOA rules to avoid potential penalties.
  • Work with property management companies like Stay Nestled to handle for local compliance advice.
  • Maintain proper records, such as guest lists and tax returns, to be in good standing with local authorities.

Integration of Smart Home Technology

Trend: Visitors prefer seamless and touchless interactions with modern smart home features. Smart technology enhances convenience, security, and energy efficiency, and it is becoming a necessity for hosts who want to stay competitive.

What Hosts Can Do:

  • Install smart locks for keyless entry and easy self-check-in, reducing the use of physical keys as much as possible.
  • Offer smart lighting, thermostats, and voice-activated assistants (likeAlexa or Google Home) to enhance guest convenience.
  • Improve security with smart cameras, motion detectors, and audiomonitoring systems to prevent interruptions.
  • Smart temperature settings with smart thermostats that automatically adjust based on occupancy to save energy costs.

Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Rentals

Trend: Travelers are choosing eco-friendly stays, with many travelersselecting accommodations that reduce their carbon footprint. Sustainable travel is no longer a niche aspiration but a mainstream expectation, as more and more guests seek accommodations that align with their green values.

What Hosts Can Do:

  • Install energy-efficient appliances and smart thermostats to reduce electricity consumption.
  • Offer recycling and composting facilities with clear labels for guests.
  • Employ eco-friendly cleaning products and toiletries to reduce toxicchemicals.
  • Highlight your green efforts in your listing description to attract eco-conscious travelers.
  • Consider incorporating solar panels, rainwater collection systems, or even providing reusable shopping bags for guests.

Final Thoughts

The future of hosting on Airbnb is evolving rapidly, and the hosts who stay ahead of the game will be best positioned for success in 2025. By innovating in accordance with changing guest behavior, embracingtechnology, and staying in regulation, you can drive your rental business forward and increase your bookings.

At Stay Nestled, we help homeowners navigate the complexities of hosting short-term rentals without sacrificing competitiveness andprofitability in their listings. Contact us today to learn how we can future-proof your Airbnb!

Airbnb

The Most Common Airbnb Guest Complaints (And How to Avoid Them)

Your role as an Airbnb host is to ensure a hassle-free and comfortable stay for your guests. Unfortunately, some issues can happen in the short-term rental game, which translate into bad reviews and less business. This article presents the top ten most frequent Airbnb guest complaints and, more importantly, how to avoid them even before they occur. By staying ahead of these pitfalls, you can provide a five-star experience, enhance guest satisfaction, and increase the profitability of your rental to maximum levels. Keep reading to discover how to avoid these traps and make your Airbnb shine among others.

Cleanliness Issues

Complaint – Guests expect a clean environment, and even the smallest presence of dirt, dust, or dirty sheets can lead to dissatisfaction.

Prevention:

  • Hire a professional cleaning agency or an exhaustive cleaning checklist.
  • Conduct a walk-through before guest check-in.
  • Provide extra linens and cleaning supplies for long-term stays.

Misleading Listing Descriptions

Complaint – Guests are upset when the rental house doesn’t look or look as depicted or described. Not too sure how many of you will get my catfish reference here…

Prevention:

  • Provide high-quality, honest photos of all rooms and amenities.
  • Be frank in room description, potential noise, or peculiarity of the space.
  • Keep your listing current with changes.

Poor Communication from Host

Complaint – Guests are upset when they are unable to reach the host with questions or issues.

Prevention:

  • Use automated messages for check-in/check-out details and FAQs.
  • Respond promptly to questions, ideally within one hour.
  • Provide multiple channels of communication (Airbnb chat, phone, email).

Uncomfortable Beds or Low-Quality Linens

Complaint – Guests complain of firm mattresses, flat pillows, or scratchy sheets.

Prevention:

  • Invest in high-quality mattresses and linens.
  • Offer a variety of pillows to suit different sleeping habits.
  • Replace linens every 6-12 months for comfort and freshness.

Recommended Products:

King Size 4 Piece Sheet Set – Comfy Breathable & Cooling Bed Sheets Set – Hotel Luxury Bedding

ViscoSoft 3 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper King – Select High Density

Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows Standard / Queen Size Set of 2 – Down Alternative Bedding Gel Cooling Pillow for Back, Stomach or Side Sleepers

Noisy Environment

Complaint – Guests are disturbed by outside noise, traffic, construction, or raucous neighbors.

Prevention:

  • Be very transparent and upfront about noise in your listing. I can not stress this enough. If you are right above the bar in the middle of downtown, please put that in your listing! If there is construction on the neighbors house that is right next door, please put that in the listing!
  • Add heavy drapes or soundproofing elements.
  • If you foresee the sound being an ongoing issue you might want to leave white noise machines
  • And if you skipped the first bullet point, list possible sources of noise in your description 🙂

Check-In or Check-Out Confusion

Complaint – Guests have difficulty checking in or get confused.

Prevention:

  • Use self check-in capabilities such as smart locks or keyless entry.
  • Provide a step-by-step check-in guide with pictures.
  • Clearly outline check-out expectations in advance.

Wi-Fi and Tech Issues

Complaint – Slow or unreliable internet is a deal-breaker for the majority of guests.

Prevention:

Poor Amenities

Complaint – Guests expect more than the bare minimum, including toiletries and kitchen supplies.

Prevention: I wrote a whole blog post discussing The Best Amenities Travelers Look for in a Vacation Rental! Give that post a read if you would like to learn more about providing the best amenities.

Temperature Control Problems

Version 1.0.0

Complaint – Guests are uncomfortable as they are unable to control the temperature.

Prevention:

Security Concerns

Complaint – Guests feel unsafe because of poor locks, poor lighting, or security threats.

Prevention:

  • Install smart locks and ensure all doors and windows lock correctly.
  • Install motion-sensor lights for late check-ins.
  • Provide an outdoor security camera (without compromising privacy).

Final Thoughts

Preventing these common Airbnb guest issues requires proactive measures. Solving these issues beforehand will allow you to enhance the guest experience, receive more five-star ratings, and book more guests.

To make your Airbnb hosting easy, Stay Nestled offers professional short-term rental management services. Let us fine-tune your rental for hassle-free guest experiences and optimal profitability. Contact us today!

Airbnb

The Best Amenities Travelers Look for in a Vacation Rental

In the competitive short-term rental market today, amenities are whatset the difference. Today’s travelers don’t want just a clean house—today’s travelers want comfort, convenience, and a touch of luxury. Whether you’re an Airbnb host in Long Beach, Huntington Beach, Joshua Tree, or Athens, TX, offering the right amenities can set your property apart and lead to more bookings and five-star reviews. Here’s a list of the top amenities that travelers look for in a short-term rental.

Fast and Reliable Wi-Fi

In today’s technology age, fast internet is a necessity, not a choice. Whether visitors are telecommuting from home, streaming their favorite shows, or staying in touch with family and friends, a fast Wi-Fi connection is one of the most popular amenities.

Item to consider – TP-Link Deco Mesh AC1900 WiFi System (Deco S4) – Up to 5,500 Sq.ft. Coverage

Comfortable Beds and Quality Linens

A restful night’s sleep is key to an excellent guest experience. Invest in a high-quality mattress, soft linens, and a selection of pillows to suitvarious sleeping preferences.

Recommended Bedding Items:

Fully Stocked Kitchen

Greatest numbers of guests appreciate preparing their own meals rather than dining out for every meal. Provided your vacation rental with all the necessities of cookware, utensils, coffee maker, and simplepantry items, guest satisfaction can be dramatically improved.

Kitchen Essentials

Smart TV and Streaming Services

Guests prefer entertainment options during their stay. A smart TV with streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ can enhance their stay, especially for families and long stays.

Dedicated Work Space

As the trend of remote work grows, tourists need a quiet and comfortable area to work. A simple desk, chair, and proper lighting can attract digital nomads and business travelers to your accommodation.

My favorite desk accessory – Desk Clamp Power Strip USB C,Desktop Mount Surge Protector,40W Fast Charging Station

Self Check-In with Smart Locks

Seamless check-in is a major advantage for guests. Keyless entry with a keypad or smart lock offers convenience and security, especially for late-night check-ins. I can not recommend enough the Schlage Encode. It is by far the best smart lock on the market currently for short term rentals.

Outdoor Space and Seating

A private patio, balcony, or backyard with seating can be a major selling point, especially in destinations such as Joshua Tree or Huntington Beach, where guests love to relax outdoors.

Recommended Item: Weather-Resistant Outdoor Seating – Polywood

Washer and Dryer

Having washer and dryer in-unit for extended stays is a huge game-changer. Even a simple washer and dryer will make your rental more attractive to families and business travelers.

Pet-Friendly Accommodations

Many travelers bring their pets along, so having a pet-friendly rental with pet amenities like food bowls and a pet area can generate more bookings.

Luxury Accents (Hot Tub, Fire Pit, or Other Special Amenities)

If uniqueness is required, add some of the higher-end amenities like a hot tub, fire pit, or game room. These tiny luxury features can enhance the visitor experience and allow you to charge a premium nightly rate.

My Favorite Fire Pit – Breeo Smokeless FIrePit (X Series 24, Corten Steel) | 27.5 inch Smokeless Fire Pit for Outside | 62 Pounds | Ideal for Families Compatible with Wide Range of Breeo Accessories

Last Words

Providing the perfect amenities not only improves the guest experience but also increases your property’s desirability and bottom line. By offering thoughtful details that meet the needs of today’s travelers, you can make your Airbnb stand out and generate repeat business.

At Stay Nestled, we help property owners get the most out of their short-term rentals through intentional improvements and professional management. Contact us today to see how we can take your Airbnb to the next level!

Note: Some of the links included in this post are Amazon affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our content!

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