What to watch if you are a vacation rental host: Netflix Film Stay Here
You can’t beat a Netflix movie, but rather than tuning into a romcom how about watching something that will help you to improve your Airbnb business? If you’re keen to make the most of your vacation rental(s) the series “Stay Here” provides some great ideas.
What’s “Stay Here” All About?
It’s the era of the sharing economy if you have something you don’t need then find someone who does need it. Got a room, a flat or even a house that you’re not using? List it on Airbnb and “share” it with travelers and tourists who might be looking for a place just like yours. The home sharing market is growing by the day, so it’s no surprise that there’s a reality TV show to go with it, and that show is “Stay Here.”
The series (featuring eight shows) was aired on Netflix and started in August. The concept is simple, to shine a light on the host and his or her short-term vacation rental property. The rental is measured against a number of key factors, including design, the quality of experience provided for guests, and the profit generated for the host. The show team then set about making improvements to the property, giving it a “makeover” with the aim of making it a more attractive proposition for guests.
Some of the makeovers are astonishing — downtrodden dwellings are transformed into remarkable residences, and they are certainly not done on the cheap! The cost of these marvelous makeovers has exceeded $100,000 in some cases, and the show is presented by experts (an interior designer, and a real estate broker), who understand the fundamentals of creating a great vacation property that guests will be clamoring to rent.
Top Tips for Hosts
The series “Stay Here” has certainly given us plenty to think about. Let’s check out a few of the top tips from the show:
- Sell an Experience:
Don’t just sell a few nights in your apartment or home — guests can get a bed for the night at the local hotel. Instead, offer an experience, go that extra mile for your guests, providing niceties that will make your pad stand out from the crowd. One of the shows from the Stay Here series featured a rental in Seattle, where the host provided a welcome basket for the guest, full of tasty local fare from the nearby market. The experts suggested that around 10% of the first night’s rental income should be spent on the welcome gift — a simple and effective way to wow your guests, allowing them to connect with the local area, and making their stay a touch more special.
- Promote Your Location:
This brings us nicely onto top tip number two — know your area. What does the neighborhood have to offer? Are you close to the coast or surrounded by woodland and an assortment of cute and furry animals? Any major tourist attractions relatively near — maybe a venue that hosts gigs or exhibitions? You need to let guests and potential guests what they can look forward to. Episode five of “Stay Here” featured a couple who owned a property that sat in a vineyard, the team helped the hosts to promote their property to the target market of wine lovers!
- Set Objectives
There are always things you can do to improve your business and rental property. Try to stay on top of what your competitors are up to, and get your pricing structure right. One key objective is to maximize your Airbnb occupancy rate, and to do this you need to be proactive — pay attention to your guests and listings at all times. In “Stay Here” the show presenters help the hosts to work out how many nights their property needs to be rented out for in order to achieve their desired financial return.
What Can I Do To Improve My Vacation Rental Property?
As a host you can also make your life easier by exploring vacation rental software — use it to manage multiple accounts and automate your calendar, as well as to automate communication with guests and cleaning/maintenance operatives.
It’s also sensible to protect your property by setting simple house rules. House rules allow you to clearly outline what guests can or cannot do, and indicate the possible penalties, should the rules be broken.
Should I Watch the Netflix Series “Stay Here?”
That’s a definite yes from us! If you’re an Airbnb host or thinking of becoming one it would be really useful to watch the “Stay Here” Netflix series. It will give you some great ideas on how to make the most of your vacation rental property.
