If you are finding the experience of managing your airbnb overwhelming there are a number of options you can look at to get help. We’ll talk about these, as well as the pros and cons below.
What are the options?
There are three main options for getting help to manage your airbnb:
- Airbnb Co-host
- General real estate agent
- Specialist short-term rental property manager (licensed real estate agent)
Let’s look at each of those in turn.
- Airbnb Co-host. Airbnb co hosts are people who are typically managing their own properties on airbnb and who want to earn extra income by managing other people’s properties on airbnb.
Pros:
- Experience with airbnb
- May be cheaper
Cons:
- Only list on airbnb (50% of the market)
- Not licensed – potentially operating illegally
- One person with no backup if ill or on holiday
- Cannot provide 24/7 support
- May not have local knowledge / experience
- General real estate agent. General real estate agents are involved with selling properties, long term rentals as well as short-term rentals.
Pros:
- Licensed agent
- Trust accounting (audited)
- Operates in local area
Cons:
- Short-term rentals are typically not a key focus
- Lack of expertise
- Support limited to “office hours” (9am-5pm)
- Support split between sales / long-term leasing / short-term rentals leading to slow response times
- Specialist short-term rental property manager (licensed real estate agent). Specialist short-term rental property managers only manage short-term rentals and should be fully licensed (click here to check if they are).
Pros:
- Licensed agent
- Trust accounting (audited)
- Specialists in short term rental / airbnb management
- Multi-channel marketing
- 24/7 guest support (usually! but do check)
Cons:
- May charge hidden fees
- Offshore support
- May not be local
Not all airbnb property managers are created equal and it’s important to do due diligence and compare multiple providers to ensure you are getting the best service for your money.
At Professional Holiday Homes we believe our service is second to none, and that’s why we have created a checklist (in our brochure) that you can use to compare different providers. Click here to get your copy instantly and start comparing. You’ll also receive a free copy of our book “The Professional Holiday Home”, worth $19.95.
