01/09/2025
We got our 100th Review and we just celebrated our 2nd year of hosting, and I’d like to share what we’ve learned, the good, the bad, and what rookies should avoid.
My 7 Key Lessons for Rookie Hosts planning to start AirBNB Hosting
Don’t pick fights.
Even if you’re right, you can’t afford the damage early on. A bad review at the start may kill your listing before it grows. Remember: unless you can live without Airbnb, avoid confrontations.
Airbnb support isn’t your safety net.
They’re guest-centric. Be prepared to manage disputes on your own. Support may send templated replies that don’t really address your case. Think of your business as independent — that mindset saves frustration.
Bad guests will come.
It’s just a matter of time. One bad guest can ruin your reputation if it happens too early. Survival is about preemptive measures, be prepared and do the math. You need at least 19 5stars to survive your first 1 star review.
Screen your guests wisely.
Don’t be too picky, but learn to spot red flags. For example, locals booking your property may not have good intentions. Have conversations that reveal inconsistencies before you accept.
Understand the star system.
Many guests think 4 stars is “good,” but in Airbnb’s system, anything less than 5 hurts you. Explain (tactfully) that 4 stars is actually negative because you need 4.8+ to stay competitive. Don’t solicit 5 stars, just educate.
Flexibility is key in the early days.
You need traction first. If you face disputes too early, your hosting journey may not recover. Guests choose safer bets when comparing listings.
Pamper guests — it’s an investment.
Little thoughtful touches go a long way. Sometimes it feels like we’re not earning much on certain stays, but we look at it as long-term investment. This approach helped us survive even the worst times. And the best part? We’re genuinely happy doing it.
The Good About Airbnb 😍
The biggest advantage is bookings. Compared to other platforms (Booking dot com, Travelnest, etc.), Airbnb consistently brings us more guests. Other sites sent only a few, and often with poor notifications that caused delays in response.
If you want to be profitable, Airbnb is a strong candidate. But remember, it’s not a walk in the park. You need to put in effort and investment.
The Bad About Airbnb 😩
Airbnb support is great for app-related issues, but in disputes, they lean toward the guest. Unless you pursue legal action, most unfair reviews remain. For many of us, those scars never go away — but with enough 5-stars, one bad review can eventually become just a badge of resilience.
Final Thoughts
In 2 years of hosting, I’ve learned that happiness is just as important as profit. Yes, Airbnb pays our mortgage, but the real reward is that we enjoy hosting. We try not to dwell on occasional losses, instead, we focus on making it up on the next booking while keeping our reputation intact.
At the end of the day, if you’re happy doing what you do, you’re already winning. It’s not always about the money, but it often follows anyway.
Right now, we have around five guests who consistently book our place repeatedly whenever they travel in the area, and along the way, we’ve made friends too. That’s the priceless reward of hosting: finding joy in welcoming strangers, regardless of who they are.
Happy 2nd anniversary to our Airbnb hosting journey! 🥳
Thanks for reading, and I hope someday you can try our humble abode! 🙏
