Becoming an Air BnB Superhost with Vacation Rental Management

Recent estimates indicate that there are about 150 million Airbnb users worldwide. In fact, on any given night, about 2 million people will decide to stay at an Airbnb. These figures have been steadily on the rise and can be expected to increase in the foreseeable future.

While the demand for Airbnb and other vacation rental properties is well-documented, the industry is still incredibly competitive. If you want a potential guest to choose your property rather than one of the many alternatives in your area, you must take active measures to distinguish whatever property you are currently offering. One of the best ways to do this is to become an Airbnb superhost.

In this article, we will answer some of the most common questions people have about becoming an Airbnb superhost. We will also discuss the importance of hiring a property management firm and how these firms can help your property maximize its total value.

What Is an Airbnb Superhost?

According to Airbnb’s website, “Superhosts are experienced hosts who provide a shining example for other hosts, and extraordinary experiences for their guests.” Superhost status (represented by a badge directly in the listing) is achieved once a property owner has met a specific set of criteria.

To qualify as an Airbnb superhost, you will need to host a minimum of ten different stays (of any length) per year. You will also need to be able to quickly respond to your guests and maintain a response rate of at least 90 percent. Furthermore, at least 80 percent of your reviews will need to be 5 stars (or an average rating of 4.8 stars). Lastly, with only a few exceptions, you must honor confirmed reservations (meaning you don’t cancel reservations once confirmed). Only a small portion of Airbnb property owners will qualify as superhosts, but once this status is achieved, you’ll discover many benefits.

What Are the Benefits of Becoming an Airbnb Superhost?

Because Airbnb wants its hosts to communicate effectively, offer desirable spaces, and maintain a guest-oriented approach to property management, the company offers several benefits to achieving superhost status. When superhosts refer new hosts to Airbnb, they will receive a 20 percent larger bonus — if you are an active Airbnb or vacation property management recruiter, this can pay off over time.

Furthermore, Airbnb superhosts will have significantly more visibility on both the company’s app and its website. When people search “Stays in Scottsdale”, for example, usually the first listings will be superhosts. Superhosts are also distinguished on Airbnb's map search option, meaning that your property is more likely to be seen regardless of the potential client’s approach to research.

Additionally, Airbnb superhosts are likely to earn significantly more money. While the exact financial benefits you earn will depend on many things — such as where your property is located and the type of property you own — some Airbnb superhosts can expect to earn double (or even more) what their competitors earn. This is because not only is property much more likely to be seen, but your property is also much more likely to be the one that potential guests end up selecting.

How Can I Become an Airbnb Superhost?

Becoming an Airbnb superhost often requires a bit of hard work, but it is something that seemingly any vacation property owner can potentially do. Knowing Airbnb best practices to becoming a superhost (mentioned above), the first thing you will need to do is make sure you use a strategy that puts your guest first.

In order to make sure your guest are completely satisfied with their stay, you should do things such as to invest in additional amenities (such as Wi-Fi, coffee, and basic essentials), thoroughly clean the property between every stay, and provide everything you would want if you were staying in a home. The Airbnb guest experience is where the value truly lies.

You will also want to avoid canceling any booked reservations and continue communicating with your guests as quickly as possible. Some Airbnb owners are able to do this entirely on their own. However, in order to avoid the stress of keeping up with all these details, you will likely be much better off hiring a property management company for Airbnb revenue management.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Property Management Company?

There are many benefits to hiring a vacation property management company, whether your property is located in Scottsdale, Arizona, or anywhere else in the world. Companies like VacayAZ, which proudly proclaims, “It’s all about the guests,” offer services such as cleaning, marketing, guest communications, and many others.

Essentially, everything that needs to be done at your property can be handled by a property management company. In addition to Airbnb marketing, these companies may use other outlets as well. This will ensure that your property is consistently being rented, earning strong reviews, and maximizing the amount you are earning on your initial investment.

Things to Look for When Comparing Airbnb Property Management Companies

When choosing a property management company for Airbnb optimization, you should choose a company that is located in and familiar with your specific area. Choosing a local company will make it much more likely that your property complies with all local laws and that your guests’ requests can be responded to as needed.

Qualities to look for in a vacation Airbnb property management firm include clear communications, reasonable pricing structures, and a willingness to offer a very diverse array of services. The more this company can do to ensure your property is clean, visible, and ready to be rented, the more likely you will be able to achieve your goals as a property owner. Ultimately, the cost of hiring a vacation property management company will be easily returned in a short amount of time.