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Have you been wanting to get into Airbnb but don’t know where to start? Airbnb co hosting is one of many ways people get started with an Airbnb business. Others try Airbnb arbitrage, buy a property specifically for Airbnb or turn a long term rental into a short term rental.
Unlike any of the other ways to get started, Airbnb co hosting is for sure the cheapest option. If you have little money to invest (or heck, no money at all) this is probably the right strategy for you! Read on to learn more.
This post is all about Airbnb co hosting.
Is Airbnb Co Hosting For You
What is Airbnb co hosting?
Airbnb co hosting is a service that allows listing owners to invite others to help manage their property. There’s varying levels of co-hosting and it can vary client to client or host to host. Some Airbnb co hosts are full on property managers where the owner is not involved at all and just collects a check. Others are simply hired to manage the day to day operations while the main host takes care of guest communication.
Are you new to Airbnb? Use my referral link and I’ll coach you through setting up your first listing! Airbnb will give you a $48 bonus for using me as your Airbnb ambassador for listing set up after hosting your first guest!
How do I get started with Airbnb cohosting?
Getting started is pretty simple. You don’t need to buy or rent a property because you will be simply managing someone else’s listing. To set yourself apart from the competition, do market research on your area and understand why guests are traveling there. This will put you in a position to understand who the target audience is for hosts to go after in your market.
Most hosts that are seeking out a co host will be doing it because they either don’t want to manage the listing or they are not getting the results they had hoped for. Either way, it’s going to be important that you have the knowledge and expertise to support the business you’re building.
Where do I find clients?
1. Airbnb
If you’re already an Airbnb host, Airbnb has a new resource for hosts looking to take on new properties as a co host. You have to apply and hit certain metrics with the properties you have today but it’s a great way to expand your portfolio on Airbnb.
2. Facebook groups
Facebook groups are tried and true in the investment community. This is the best way to connect with prospective clients in a particular area. Searching Airbnb group with the location or Short Term Rental hosts and you’ll definitely find some.
3. Direct reach out to Airbnb listings
Write up a message about your co hosting services and reach out directly to owners on Airbnb. If you do this, make sure you have a brand name you can share with the owners you reach out to so they can find you on social media. Airbnb does not allow you to exchange information on their platform so phone numbers and emails will be hidden.
4. Networking with Real Estate agents
Real estate agents, especially ones that work with Real Estate investors are going to know owners of vacation rentals. Reach out to these types of real estate agents in your market and let them know you are looking to connect with vacation rental property owners.
5. Friends or family
Friends and family are probably the easiest way to get started in anything. If you have people who will believe in you or take a chance on you, it’s the ones that already know and trust you. Even if you could be listed as a co host on a listing where they do the primary management, that would be a great way to understand what it takes to host a guest.
6. Biggerpockets
If you’re not familiar with Biggerpockets, it’s the largest community of real estate investors online. There’s so many great things happening over there always. It’s a great spot to make a profile (for free) and market your services. There’s also forums where you can type in keywords and find specific people looking for your services in your market.
7. Real Estate or industry events
On Biggerpockets, there are local real estate investor meet ups. Look up events near you and attend. Use these events as networking opportunities and sell your services.
What’s the scope of work for an Airbnb co host?
Usually, the scope of work for an Airbnb co host includes:
- Managing guest communication
- Communicating with cleaners and handymen on repairs
- Restocking disposables
- Property audits
There could be a number of other responsibilities or less responsibilities. It just depends on your client and how you want to build your business. If you’re taking complete charge of property management, charge accordingly and I’ll get into that in my next point below.
How much do I charge as an Airbnb cohost?
15-30% of top line revenue! The range is huge, I know. This is largely market dependent and how much experience you have. Once you’ve got a track record of success and have proven to help hosts grow their yearly revenue, charge more. If you’re just getting started, charge less. But always include an option to increase your price once you’ve proven your worth.
The proof is in the pudding and the pudding in Airbnb is reviews. If the listing you’re taking over has less than a 4.6 star rating, you have a lot of room to increase guest satisfaction. Once the ratings move to 5 stars, increase nightly rates as a result of increased rating and getting both your client and yourself more revenue.
What other questions about Airbnb co hosting do you have? Let me know in the comments below!
This post was all about Airbnb co hosting.
This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclaimer for more info.
