If you’re an avid traveler, or just a “newbie”, you have surely heard about the new trend, Airbnb. Becoming a host can be an easy way to bring in extra cash, but first check out what my husband and I learned in our first few months of hosting to see if it’s the right fit for you!
- Guests will really show up at anytime. Yes, you can have a check in time and they will give you a rough estimate of when they will be there, but let’s face it: things come up. If you’re hoping to plan your whole schedule around being there, you may want to be prepared to wait. If you’re lucky, you will get a respectful guest that communicates great and lets you know if they’re running late/early. This won’t always be the case though, so if that’s a big deal – you may want to pass on being a host.
- Every guest is different. Our very first guest was very private, we never spoke unless we ran into each other in the hallway (or our nosy beagle ran into his room!). Then, our second guests spent the whole first hour and half of their arrival hanging out with us in the living room. It’s like we instantly become good friends with these complete strangers! If you’re someone who just wants to become a host for the money, be sure to mention that you’re available when needed in your profile. If you don’t mind getting to know new people, then this could be perfect for you! Just make sure that’s what your guests want as well – you don’t want some “my host was extremely needy” feedback on your hands!
- It sort of feels like having a roommate. If you are used to living alone this will more than likely be a huge adjustment for you. No, it’s not like these people are there 24/7 and for weeks and weeks, but going from being the only one home to having people be there is a little weird! It will be something you get used to, especially if you have a lot of guests coming through but it will definitely help you decide if you want to continue hosting or not!