Thanks for your interpretation. I wonder, did they also get rid of some of the low quality guests we’ve been experiencing lately? Mine is not a problem with my description and transparency, guests are simply not reading any of that. To our dismay, this then allows for unrealistic expectations. When expectations are not met, we then see these left-field reviews that contain misrepresentations that we cannot have removed. Was there anything about this?
There hasn’t been much from platforms about addressing what you mentioned here. One tip we’ve found helpful is using clear, upfront messaging in your pre-booking communication to reinforce key details and manage expectations early on.
Wow I just had this Experience. I got a 4 star review as the guest was disappointed there was no pool but I made NO mention of a pool at all in my description. I asked airbnb to remove as that is pathetic and they said no! 😮
@ThanksForVisiting to be honest there's no solution for dealing with unrealistic expectations. I've tried many proactive approaches and it seemed the more I did the more I encountered unrealistic expectations. That is why I'm no longer obsessed about 5 star reviews anymore, I focus more on ensuring quality service and ensuring the same comfort as in the pictures, clean pool and garden, superclean house and quick responses to guests issues(GOOD COMMUNICATION). I've had very unreasonable experience with many guests to the point that 5 star reviews are no longer my worries.
@laurettegliddon5635 they never read and it puzzles me as to why it should be our fault and we are the ones that take the beating even when we have ensured that whatever we have listed exists during the guests' stay. People want to get to your lovely place and complain about what you don't have in place instead of giving you credit for maintaining your listing well. It's just how it is, believe me. (Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦)
@@BrotherM1978 Yup, yup, and yup. I try to transcend the concern about the stars. I mostly fail because I look at my metrics as key to search placement. I find it so strange that the algorithm, a line of computer code, is directed to look at subjective elements via guest reviews. Accuracy and value are the ones that really get my goat. If you've never stayed in a wooden chalet in the Swiss Alps before, what do you have for a basis for comparison to determine value. Our pictures are exactly what you will receive, we also take great care representing the facts and listing the amenities we provide, we do not list the amenities we DON'T have.
Cool, I implemented a "forgot me " basket on day one, just because it was second nature to me and what I would want as a guest. I used the honor system. Guests love it, comment on it and leave a buck or two if they take something. Stuff like deoderant, sunscreen, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, tampons...Thanks ladies, y'all are great.
The platform is built on trust, agreed. However, there are “guests” exploiting that and finding their way into properties causing problems for hosts. Host must do their due diligence to protect assets.
You're absolutely right that trust is essential to the platform-- on both sides! While it’s not perfect, there are ways to safeguard your property and screen guests effectively. It’s all about creating layers of protection to ensure a great experience for everyone!
WRT reinventing leadership and hosting : I have had guests especially group bookings, complain about my presence and saying they feel uncomfortable when I'm around, fortunately my family house is a stone throw away from my listing and I would normally leave and allow them to enjoy the space on their own. Funny thing is that all those who did ended up throwing big parties and inviting many unauthorized guests and ended up turning my listing into a night club😢. The reason we decided to be on the property while we have guests was precisely to ensure that they can easily access us(Me or my wife) quicker for any assistance during their stay. Good thing is that our cottage is at the back of the main house so we don't interfere with their stay unless if it's the gardening service which is done once a week or it's the lady that cleans on their request. On the same token, we have had guests who were very happy to know that the owner is present during their stay and praised us for doing so. It's confusing at times. What is your recommendation? (Hosting in Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦)
Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s definitely a fine balance. Being nearby can be a huge advantage but those boundaries are tough. I think really clear guest rules and expectations for what to expect might help. Lots of proactive communication. Keep up the great work-it sounds like you’re doing your best to adapt to different guest needs! 🌟
If the number 1 pain point is affordability, AirBnB needs to stop tacking on a 14%-20% "service fee" for guests! As for quality of places - there is 1 horrible experience I had 7 months ago where the property was disgusting and the owner ended up harassing me through the platform and via text. His property was temporarily delisted but has since returned. Honestly this man should be banned from AirBnB completely- all his listings.
Thanks for this! Airbnb has experiences offered in each city that guest can purchase outside of your stay. Are you saying create your own experience and sell it as part of the booking package?
I earned less money in 2023 compared to 2022 and I earned less in 2024 than 2023. My Airbnb income in 2024 is almost half the income in 2022. The Airbnb business model is in trouble. Short term income is going down and long term income is still going up. In 2025 some hosts will replace short term with long term guests. Relying on Airbnb tourists during the off peak season has become loss making. The Airbnb management strategy is to keep increasing the number of hosts and accept a lower profit from each host rather than a higher profit from fewer hosts.
Thanks for sharing your experience-you're not alone in noticing shifts in the market. It's crucial to lock in your numbers and really understand your costs per reservation. We have a resource that can help with that! Also, are you using dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs? thanksforvisiting.com/knowyournumbers
You are totally correct 💯. Airbnb killing hosts Income. And They let bad intention guests. Then they do exploit Airbnb aircover rules. And then we hosts lost a lot of money because of their artificial house problems.
Just started hosting in December 2024 and my main current problem the under flexible cancellation policy, guests keep canceling. Anywhere from a day to a week before check in. I want to stay flexible but why so many cancellations? Also, I kept wondering what those green ninja stars were on your book shelf.
Thank you so much for your excellent content (as usual!)! Sarah, I noticed that you've lost quite a bit of weight and you're looking amazing! I'm wondering how you lost the weight :) Blessings from New Zealand
Thank you so much for your kind words and support from New Zealand. Educating and supporting my fellow Airbnb hosts is quite the workout! But in all seriousness, I’ve been focusing on balance and self-care, just like I encourage for hosting. 😉
@@ThanksForVisiting Sarah you were beautiful then and beautiful now! ;) Thanks ladies, you were so instrumental in my success in taking over property management of my STR last year. I had no idea what I was doing but you were an amazing help.
We own 3 efficiency condos in Ocean City, NJ. We can talk about the beach and events. We can provide a guidebook of places tov isit. There is only so much we can do in limited space. We get mainly 5-star reviews, but it is difficult to produce an ultimate experience. We like to present nice, comfortable, clean and close to everything.
I hope this filters down to South Africa. I've had 3 back to back bad experiences where Airbnb was at fault. It's really put me off. There's too much guest exploitation.
🔗Grab our FREE Airbnb Essentials Checklist: thanksforvisiting.com/airbnb-essentials-checklist
Thanks for your interpretation. I wonder, did they also get rid of some of the low quality guests we’ve been experiencing lately? Mine is not a problem with my description and transparency, guests are simply not reading any of that. To our dismay, this then allows for unrealistic expectations. When expectations are not met, we then see these left-field reviews that contain misrepresentations that we cannot have removed. Was there anything about this?
There hasn’t been much from platforms about addressing what you mentioned here. One tip we’ve found helpful is using clear, upfront messaging in your pre-booking communication to reinforce key details and manage expectations early on.
Wow I just had this Experience. I got a 4 star review as the guest was disappointed there was no pool but I made NO mention of a pool at all in my description. I asked airbnb to remove as that is pathetic and they said no! 😮
@ThanksForVisiting to be honest there's no solution for dealing with unrealistic expectations. I've tried many proactive approaches and it seemed the more I did the more I encountered unrealistic expectations. That is why I'm no longer obsessed about 5 star reviews anymore, I focus more on ensuring quality service and ensuring the same comfort as in the pictures, clean pool and garden, superclean house and quick responses to guests issues(GOOD COMMUNICATION). I've had very unreasonable experience with many guests to the point that 5 star reviews are no longer my worries.
@laurettegliddon5635 they never read and it puzzles me as to why it should be our fault and we are the ones that take the beating even when we have ensured that whatever we have listed exists during the guests' stay. People want to get to your lovely place and complain about what you don't have in place instead of giving you credit for maintaining your listing well. It's just how it is, believe me. (Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦)
@@BrotherM1978 Yup, yup, and yup. I try to transcend the concern about the stars. I mostly fail because I look at my metrics as key to search placement. I find it so strange that the algorithm, a line of computer code, is directed to look at subjective elements via guest reviews. Accuracy and value are the ones that really get my goat. If you've never stayed in a wooden chalet in the Swiss Alps before, what do you have for a basis for comparison to determine value. Our pictures are exactly what you will receive, we also take great care representing the facts and listing the amenities we provide, we do not list the amenities we DON'T have.
Cool, I implemented a "forgot me " basket on day one, just because it was second nature to me and what I would want as a guest. I used the honor system. Guests love it, comment on it and leave a buck or two if they take something. Stuff like deoderant, sunscreen, razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste, tampons...Thanks ladies, y'all are great.
The platform is built on trust, agreed. However, there are “guests” exploiting that and finding their way into properties causing problems for hosts. Host must do their due diligence to protect assets.
You're absolutely right that trust is essential to the platform-- on both sides! While it’s not perfect, there are ways to safeguard your property and screen guests effectively. It’s all about creating layers of protection to ensure a great experience for everyone!
WRT reinventing leadership and hosting : I have had guests especially group bookings, complain about my presence and saying they feel uncomfortable when I'm around, fortunately my family house is a stone throw away from my listing and I would normally leave and allow them to enjoy the space on their own. Funny thing is that all those who did ended up throwing big parties and inviting many unauthorized guests and ended up turning my listing into a night club😢. The reason we decided to be on the property while we have guests was precisely to ensure that they can easily access us(Me or my wife) quicker for any assistance during their stay. Good thing is that our cottage is at the back of the main house so we don't interfere with their stay unless if it's the gardening service which is done once a week or it's the lady that cleans on their request. On the same token, we have had guests who were very happy to know that the owner is present during their stay and praised us for doing so. It's confusing at times. What is your recommendation? (Hosting in Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦)
Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s definitely a fine balance. Being nearby can be a huge advantage but those boundaries are tough. I think really clear guest rules and expectations for what to expect might help. Lots of proactive communication. Keep up the great work-it sounds like you’re doing your best to adapt to different guest needs! 🌟
If the number 1 pain point is affordability, AirBnB needs to stop tacking on a 14%-20% "service fee" for guests!
As for quality of places - there is 1 horrible experience I had 7 months ago where the property was disgusting and the owner ended up harassing me through the platform and via text. His property was temporarily delisted but has since returned. Honestly this man should be banned from AirBnB completely- all his listings.
Agree! Hosts who don't value hospitality don't belong in the industry!
Which dynamic pricing software do you recommend.
PriceLabs!
@@ThanksForVisitingdo you think PriceLabs is better than Airbnb intelligent prices?
Thanks for this! Airbnb has experiences offered in each city that guest can purchase outside of your stay. Are you saying create your own experience and sell it as part of the booking package?
Yes, absolutely! You can create unique experiences that tie into your property’s vibe or location and offer them as part of your stay.
Hi, can you point to where, this can be added? (can't find it, on any of the options.. ) thanks!
I earned less money in 2023 compared to 2022 and I earned less in 2024 than 2023. My Airbnb income in 2024 is almost half the income in 2022. The Airbnb business model is in trouble. Short term income is going down and long term income is still going up. In 2025 some hosts will replace short term with long term guests. Relying on Airbnb tourists during the off peak season has become loss making. The Airbnb management strategy is to keep increasing the number of hosts and accept a lower profit from each host rather than a higher profit from fewer hosts.
Thanks for sharing your experience-you're not alone in noticing shifts in the market. It's crucial to lock in your numbers and really understand your costs per reservation. We have a resource that can help with that! Also, are you using dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs?
thanksforvisiting.com/knowyournumbers
You are totally correct 💯. Airbnb killing hosts Income. And They let bad intention guests. Then they do exploit Airbnb aircover rules. And then we hosts lost a lot of money because of their artificial house problems.
Just started hosting in December 2024 and my main current problem the under flexible cancellation policy, guests keep canceling. Anywhere from a day to a week before check in. I want to stay flexible but why so many cancellations?
Also, I kept wondering what those green ninja stars were on your book shelf.
Are you seeing a lot of cancellations? What's the reason for their cancellations?
That's our TFV logo but they could double as ninja stars 😜
I haven't started hosting yet, but can you add a rental car to a stay yet? Do you think that is coming?
that would be cool!!!
Assuming you're serious, it may be better to give Uber promo codes or Uber gift cards.
Likely you will not be able to if you insurance co. is not insuring for that.
You can if you use a separate platform like Turo.
@@Ed_1957 Good idea, but we're in a remote part of NW Colorado and I've been told Uber is unreliable here. I'll look into it though.
Thank you so much for your excellent content (as usual!)! Sarah, I noticed that you've lost quite a bit of weight and you're looking amazing! I'm wondering how you lost the weight :) Blessings from New Zealand
Thank you so much for your kind words and support from New Zealand. Educating and supporting my fellow Airbnb hosts is quite the workout! But in all seriousness, I’ve been focusing on balance and self-care, just like I encourage for hosting. 😉
@@ThanksForVisiting So inspiring!!!! Thank you
@@ThanksForVisiting Sarah you were beautiful then and beautiful now! ;) Thanks ladies, you were so instrumental in my success in taking over property management of my STR last year. I had no idea what I was doing but you were an amazing help.
We own 3 efficiency condos in Ocean City, NJ. We can talk about the beach and events. We can provide a guidebook of places tov isit. There is only so much we can do in limited space. We get mainly 5-star reviews, but it is difficult to produce an ultimate experience. We like to present nice, comfortable, clean and close to everything.
It sounds like you're crushing it with a clear listing, useful guidebooks, and a solid guest experience.
I hope this filters down to South Africa. I've had 3 back to back bad experiences where Airbnb was at fault. It's really put me off. There's too much guest exploitation.
What happened?
Sounds like a nightmare vision. Experience is so subjective and there are so many mentally ill people who will turn it into a nightmare.
Always nice to see where the company plans to take things in the future!