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Year-End Review for Short-Term Rental Industry

2020 Year-End Review for Short-Term Rental Industry from MaidThis.com

It’s clear to everyone that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected travel in unprecedented ways. Some hosts have struggled to maintain their businesses this year, while others in different parts of the country have enjoyed renewed success as restrictions have shifted throughout the course of 2020.

Guesty has surveyed over 400 vacation rental owners to discover just how the pandemic has affected bookings throughout the year and has released their findings in their “Industry Report: State of the Short-Term Rental Industry Amid COVID-19.”

Here are 5 of the most important takeaways for vacation rental hosts and the STR industry as a whole.

1. Travel is more spontaneous.

As the news about the pandemic seems to change every day, it’s becoming more difficult for people to make long-term plans. As such, last-minute bookings have become the norm. According to the hosts surveyed, 30% of reservations were made within 30 days of a stay, 40% of reservations were made within one week, and 15% were made the same day.

2. Families are looking for space.

Lockdown has forced many families to cut back on their usual activities, which can be particularly hard on young children – especially if a family doesn’t have an adequate outdoor space for kids to run around and play at home.

Because of this, vacation rentals with large yards have seen a jump in popularity. If your property has a great outdoor space, be sure to highlight this in your listing to attract guests who are looking for a little more space.

3. Digital nomads are thriving.

With many companies switching to full-time remote work, employees are free to work from anywhere with a reliable wi-fi connection. Because of this, rental hosts have seen an increase in extended stays, with the majority being around 1-3 months in length.

Earlier in the year, many travelers were looking to escape the city, so hosts in remote areas were more likely to see this type of extended stay. However, as the pandemic stretches on, people have begun booking stays in larger cities once again, so many hosts can capitalize on this demographic.

4. Flexible cancellation can help.

In the spring and summer, there was a rise in emergency cancellations, as COVID-19 restrictions progressed at a different pace everywhere around the world. Today, according to the report, the majority of cancellations occur 2-3 weeks before a trip, which is a significant improvement.

While those last-minute cancellations have tapered off, a flexible cancellation policy is likely to make guests feel more comfortable when booking their stay, especially as cases are on the rise in the United States. 22% of the hosts surveyed in the industry report have found that flexible cancellation was the most helpful strategy for their business in 2020.

5. Expect more bookings, but also more cancellations.

Many travelers feel more comfortable booking an Airbnb than staying in a hotel. Guests report feeling safer in an Airbnb, as there are fewer common areas and shared surfaces, fewer people, and less guest turnover than in hotels.

Because of this, travelers who would normally stay in a hotel for the holidays may book Airbnbs instead. However, COVID-19 is expected to spike after Thanksgiving. If regulations surrounding health and safety become more strict, more guests are likely to cancel their stays and decide not to travel at all for Christmas and New Year’s.

While travel has changed beyond what we could have expected in 2020, it’s clear that many vacation rental owners are still seeing a level of success. The important thing is to understand the shifting trends and make adjustments to your business strategy accordingly.

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At first I tried to take care of all of the cleaning process myself, and it turned out to be a bigger headache than anything else. So a friend told me about MaidThis and its been fantastic. I’ve been working with my cleaners for a few months so far. I recommend you check out the service for yourself.

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5 Tips for Writing a Killer Airbnb Description

5 Tips for Writing a Killer Airbnb Description from MaidThis.com

We’ve written in the past about the importance of choosing the right photo for your Airbnb listing. While a picture says a thousand words, you’ll still need a killer description if you want to attract the right guests.

If you’re not sure what makes for a good Airbnb description, don’t worry. Here are our 5 top tips.

1. Make the title catchy.

When a potential guest is searching for a vacation rental, they could be scrolling through hundreds of similar properties in a certain area. Make sure yours stands out right from the search results page with a catchy title that will make them want to click.

Your title should be descriptive and let potential guests know what to expect. Instead of just writing “San Francisco condo,” be specific about neighborhoods, nearby attractions, or features that your property has to offer.

2. Emphasize what makes you unique.

Chances are, many properties in your area offer similar benefits in terms of home size and location. You’ll need to emphasize your own unique selling points in order to beat out the competition.

You might want to point out a specific amenity you offer, nearby attractions, the size of the yard, pools or jacuzzis, or anything else that might appeal to a potential guest.

If there’s nothing unusual about the property itself, you can create a unique selling point by going above and beyond. Include gaming consoles for guests to play, provide equipment for outdoor recreation, throw in passes to local activities, or feature other bonuses that will entice guests to book.

3. Know your audience.

If you try to cast too wide a net with your target audience, you might not end up attracting anyone. It’s better to be specific when writing an Airbnb description so you can win over the type of guest that’s most likely to book.

For example, if your property is a big house with a yard, you don’t want to target couples looking for a romantic getaway. Mentioning family-friendly activities in the area is likely to be much more persuasive to your potential guests.

4. Keep it short and sweet.

Many people don’t have the patience to read a wall of text. If all your information is crammed into a single, long paragraph, people might close out of your listing before they even see what you have to offer.

Consider the fact that many potential guests will be looking through multiple properties before making a booking decision. You want to make it as easy as possible for them to find out what they need from your listing, even if they’re just skimming.

Use strategic formatting like paragraph breaks to make your description easy to read. If there is any really relevant information that a guest should know before booking, or something you think is sure to wow them, put it near the beginning of your listing so they won’t miss it.

5. Answer the FAQs.

If your guest has questions about your property, they probably won’t reach out to you unless they’re really serious about booking it. That means you might be losing out on more casual browsers if you don’t include all the information they need up-front. Anticipate everything your guests will want to know about your property and include it in your listing.

You don’t have to be a professional writer when writing an Airbnb description for your listing – it’s all about the strategy. By keeping a potential guest’s needs in mind, you can create a description that targets your ideal audience and converts their browsing to bookings.

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Airbnb Host in LA

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Airbnb Host in LA

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Writing Negative Guest Reviews: Dos and Don’ts

How to write negative reviews for Airbnb guests from MaidThis.com

As a host, you hope every guest treats your property with respect. However, even if you vet each guest properly, it’s possible that you’ll eventually end up with a bad hosting experience at some point in your business.

In this case, you should feel free to write a negative guest review to spare other hosts from suffering the same fate. That said, negative guest reviews must be handled with care in order to help your case. Before you write that review, here are some dos and don’ts to consider.

Do: Think it over.

A negative guest review should be a last resort when all other methods of resolution have failed. Before you write one, ask yourself: is it really necessary? Wait a few days so you’re not responding out of fresh-set anger.

Sometimes you might have a guest that rubs you the wrong way, but they still treat your property well and their stay goes off without a hitch. Sometimes a problem stems from communication issues that are out of the guest’s control.

However, there are some incidents that absolutely warrant a negative review, including:

• Damage to your property.
• Items being stolen or broken.
• Repeated violations of your guidelines.
• Breaking the law.

If these have occurred at your property, you’re not only allowed to write a negative guest review, but you arguably have a responsibility to other hosts to do so.

Do: Be professional.

If you’re thinking about leaving a negative guest review, you might be worried that the guest will retaliate by writing a bad review of their own. The Airbnb review process is double-blinded, which means neither party can see the other’s review until both reviews have been written, which reduces the chance of retaliation.

However, it’s still important to remain professional and courteous in your tone when writing your negative review. The point of leaving a guest review isn’t to publicly shame the guest; it’s to make sure the guest acts better in the future and to make other hosts aware of a potential issue. There’s no need to be aggressive or impolite when delivering this message.

Don’t: Air dirty laundry.

Once you get started writing a negative guest review, you might be tempted to include every little thing your guests did wrong in order to really drive your points home. Getting personal or oversharing can actually damage your credibility as a host and isn’t necessary to get your point across.

Your review should be concise and to the point. Be specific when explaining what the issues were, but don’t give more detail than is needed. Include the points that are egregious, but avoid dwelling on smaller issues that wouldn’t normally be a problem if everything else had gone well. These can take away from the integrity of your overall argument.

Don’t: Try to sugarcoat it.

Many hosts feel awkward when writing a negative review. No one wants to come across as rude, so it’s tempting to downplay the issues at hand to avoid hurting your guest’s feelings. However, sugarcoating your review doesn’t do anyone any favors.

The guest won’t understand that their behavior was out of line, and might not understand why you’re leaving them a negative review at all. In addition, future hosts won’t realize the severity of the guest’s behavior and may accept their bookings without a second thought. It’s important to be honest in your review so that everyone involved is clear on the situation.

Leaving a negative review can feel uncomfortable, but it’s an important aspect of running a vacation rental business. As long as you’re professional in your delivery and have legitimate complaints, you’ll be using the review function as intended and doing everyone involved a favor.

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Airbnb Host in LA

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Airbnb Host in LA

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Set Up Airbnb Automation for the New Year

Set Up Airbnb Automation for the New Year from MaidThis Airbnb Cleaning

As the year comes to a close, it’s more important than ever to look into how you can make your life easier in 2021. One of the best ways to increase your revenue without increasing your workload is to invest in Airbnb automation.

Now is a great time to review your processes and figure out ways to save time and energy. Here are 5 things you can do.

1. Mark down any trends.

2020 has caused unprecedented changes in the vacation rental industry, and the seasonal trends of years past might not apply in the age of the pandemic. However, at least in the United States, we’re likely to see the effects of this virus continue into 2021.

To start your year-end review, it’s worth looking at how this year compared to previous years in terms of trends to see how the pandemic affected your business. Were people traveling during different seasons than usual, or traveling in smaller groups than previous years? Keep these new trends in mind as you update and optimize your listings for the new year.

2. Write down your FAQs.

Look back over your communication with potential guests from the past year. What questions were asked that you don’t already answer on your listing?

It’s worth saving a document of form responses or message templates for the most common questions so you don’t have to keep typing up your correspondence from scratch.

3. Consider property management.

A property management company can automate many aspects of the Airbnb process for you, from tackling customer service to optimizing your listings. The year’s end is a great time to look over your profits from the past 12 months and decide if hiring a property management company is right for your budget.

If you’ve been using a property management company, it’s also a good time to evaluate how well it’s been working for you. If you haven’t noticed a dramatic increase in profits, you might want to consider switching companies.

4. Use Smart Pricing, if it’s right for you.

Airbnb’s Smart Pricing considers over 70 factors when adjusting your prices for you. For property owners who don’t want to keep track of optimal pricing, especially when the world is so unpredictable, this can be an attractive way to automate your listings.

Smart Pricing can be helpful to some Airbnb owners, but others may find more success with manually adjusting their pricing. You might find that Smart Pricing isn’t as accurate as researching your competition can be. It all depends on your area and what works for your property, so play around with it before setting and forgetting.

5. Try touchless check-in.

Many hosts are finding that automating their check-in process not only makes their lives easier, but is a hit with guests, as well.

Touchless check-in is more popular than ever due to the pandemic. You can automate this by opting for keypad entry or a lockbox with a key for your rental property, then letting guests know the code before they arrive.

The end of the year is always a great time to re-evaluate your Airbnb strategies, but especially now that so much has changed in 2020. Hosts have had to make many adjustments, but you can make your job much easier moving forward by automating your business for 2021.

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Brent
Airbnb Host in LA

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Laura G
Airbnb Host in LA

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What Do Airbnb Management Companies Do?

What do Airbnb management companies do? from MaidThis

Whether you’ve been hosting for a while or are just starting to look into becoming a host, you might have noticed that many property owners use an Airbnb management company to handle the day-to-day tasks that go along with maintaining a vacation rental home.

These companies can be costly, but are they worth the price? Here’s what you need to know about what Airbnb management companies can do for you.

What Airbnb Management Companies Can Manage

Airbnb management companies deal with a lot of the minutiae of operating a vacation rental property, including:

Rate optimization
Customer service
Check-in assistance
Maid and laundry services and/or management
Listing management and marketing
Property inspection and maintenance
Damage repairs

These companies can help you secure more bookings by improving your listings as well as providing 24/7 assistance for your guests. For many, this is a convenient way to make passive income from your rental property without having to deal with a lot of the downsides that being a host can entail.

Do I Need an Airbnb Management Company?

Although useful, Airbnb management companies aren’t right for every property owner. Here are some factors that might come into play when deciding whether you want to take the plunge:

Price: Airbnb management companies typically take a percentage of the nightly profit from your property as commission, usually around 10-20%. You’ll have to consider whether this works for your budget.
Proximity: If you live in another city or state from your rental property, it might give you peace of mind to have a local company to manage your rental property. If you live in town, it might be easier and more cost-effective to do it yourself or to hire an assistant to help you out instead.
Skill: Many people are just not good at maintaining their listings or marketing their rental properties. In this case, you might actually be losing money without an Airbnb management company to help boost your business.
Local knowledge: Out-of-state property owners might not be as knowledgeable about the area as a local property management company. In this case, the company is better equipped to answer guest questions and assist them if the need arises.

If you decide that hiring an Airbnb management company is right for you, here are a few to consider:

PlushyHost
Evolve
Vacasa
TurnKey

It’s important to do your research and choose an Airbnb management company that works for your budget and provides service in your area. You should also read client reviews and testimonials to make sure the company delivers what it promises. When you do find the right company, you’ll likely find it to be a great partnership.

A property manager can give you peace of mind and take many tedious responsibilities off of your plate. Ultimately, the decision to use a property management company is up to you, but many hosts find that it’s more than worth the price. If you’re burnt out on the daily management of your rental company and struggling to keep up with hosting duties, hiring a property management company can be a game-changer.

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Airbnb Host in LA

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Airbnb Host in LA

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Grow Big: Expanding Your Airbnb Business to Other Cities

If you’ve seen a lot of success as a vacation rental host, the next logical step is to think about how to expand your Airbnb business. Buying a new vacation rental property in a lucrative city is a tempting prospect, but there are a few things to consider before taking the plunge.

Here are 4 major things to keep in mind before expanding your Airbnb business to other cities.

1. Do your research before expanding your Airbnb business.

If you’re planning on expanding your Airbnb business, you can’t just look for the most affordable property on the market. You need to first do your research and make sure the city you choose to buy in is popular with potential guests.

Some cities are more lucrative than others; you might pay more up-front for a rental property in a high cost-of-living area, but you’ll be able to rake in more money down the line if it’s a vacation hotspot. There are many destinations, such as Las Vegas and Orlando, that have remained consistently popular with vacationers for many years.

However, don’t only look at popular vacation destinations. Since the onset of the pandemic, travel habits have shifted in a big way. Many people are looking to escape to more remote locations, such as cabins in wooded areas or properties close to national parks and other outdoor attractions.

When researching potential property locations, keep in mind that many areas will have peak- and off-seasons. Be sure that you’re financially stable enough to weather the slower periods and know when to expect them.

Some locations offer year-round activities that may help you attract guests no matter the season, but others see most of their visitors in a shorter time frame.

You should also look into local rules and regulations governing Airbnb and other property rental services. Many cities are making it harder for hosts to homeshare, and you’ll want to be sure you don’t run afoul of any laws when looking to grow your business.

2. Consider hiring a vacation rental property manager.

The problem with expanding to a new city is that if you don’t live there, you’re not likely to know much about the area or what activities there are for tourists to do. It will also be more difficult for you to tend to maintenance duties on the property or troubleshoot if a guest is having an issue.

Because of this, you might want to factor in the cost of hiring a property management company into your new investment. A rental management company can help you handle customer service, provide on-site assistance, and deliver deep local knowledge to your guests to help them have the best possible experience on their trip.

Although property management companies take a percentage of your profits, they can save you a lot of time and hassle. Ultimately, you might end up making more money with a company to help you optimize your services.

3. Prepare for the worst.

The global pandemic of 2020 showed us that no industry is completely untouchable when it comes to unforeseen disasters. That’s been especially true for the vacation rental industry. Before expanding, have a plan for what you would do if another illness, bad weather, or local regulations create a sudden drop in tourism in your new city.

With the pandemic in particular, hosts have suddenly found themselves investing more in cleaning services and ways to make their vacation rentals more sanitary. It’s a good idea to have an emergency fund on hand for every property you own, both to insulate you against unexpected lean times and to help you adjust to any massive changes you might face.

4. Put in the work.

Many properties for sale will not immediately be ready to host guests. Some have outdated appliances or decor, some have a strange number of bedrooms or bathrooms, and some have been neglected to the point of disrepair. It’s likely you will need to put some money into the property before you can start seeing significant returns on your investment.

Be prepared to pay for remodeling and/or landscaping services to make your property more attractive to potential guests. A few upgrades can go a long way towards making a vacation rental more appealing to potential guests.

While expanding your Airbnb business can lead to another lucrative stream of income for many hosts, it’s not a decision anyone should take lightly. It’s important to understand what you’re getting into before you buy. With a little strategy, however, you can grow your business and maximize your profits in a whole new place.

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Brent
Airbnb Host in LA

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Airbnb Host in LA

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Recharge Yourself as a Host this Fall

Recharge Yourself as an Airbnb Host from MaidThis.com

Someday, we’ll all be able to look back on 2020 and laugh, right?… We can only hope.

There’s no denying that this year has been, in the words of CNN’s Jake Tapper, “a hot mess, inside a dumpster fire, inside a train wreck.” (His remarks were in response to the first presidential debate, but they still apply to the year as a whole, wouldn’t you say?)

So, while a few things remain on this year’s check-off list, one thing may not be on your to-dos that really should be is to recharge.

We’ve all taken a beating and we all need a little R&R. Here are a few of our recommendations on how to recharge yourself as a vacation rental host this fall. Best of all, they’ll fit any budget.

1. Book an Airbnb staycation.

You may be rolling your eyes at this one, but hear us out on this one. There are two reasons we recommend going this route:

A) You’re away from home and a true guest somewhere else, and

B) If you can’t help but work, you can take the opportunity to spy a little on your competition.

We recommend going a little crazy here and booking a night or two in a place that you wouldn’t normally – maybe something more expensive than you’d typically look for. Consider a place like this super-hip downtown loft or really get outside the city in this cozy Airbnb Plus historic home once owned by actress Bette Davis.

The idea here is to, for once, be the guest and not the host. Treat yo’self.

2. Support local businesses: Book a spa appointment, order a hefty take-out order from your favorite restaurant, and look for other “shop local” opportunities.

Everyone is struggling these days, especially small businesses across America. If you’re looking to recharge yourself, you can also do a little good by supporting your peers.

If you’re not comfortable visiting a spa, purchase a gift card from them or buy one for a friend. You’re still supporting the business! If funds are tight, look for deals on Groupon.

If you’re not comfortable (or unable to because of city or state closure mandates) sitting in a restaurant to eat, order a big takeout meal. Order for a meal or two and choose menu items that will still taste great when they’re reheated at home. This way, you’re supporting a local business and saving yourself the trouble of cooking for multiple meals. *HIGH FIVE* While you’re at it, tip the staff at the restaurant even though you’re not dining in.

Ask friends and search the web for other ways you can treat yourself and support other community entrepreneurs.

3. Find a new hobby.

There are so many things you can do to fill your time and the internet has opened a world of learning to everyone. Even before the pandemic hit, online classes and courses were available to anyone willing to learn a new craft.

Look into Airbnb’s Online Experiences or consider learning hubs like Skillshare or Masterclass. There’s so much to learn out there and at such an affordable price. Take your mind off your struggles for a while and find something new to enjoy.

After a year like the one we’ve had, it’s important to remember to take time to reflect on the good. Step away from everything for a moment and make an effort to do something for yourself.

Take what time we have left to turn things around and prepare for the awesomeness that will be 2021. By giving yourself a little time to recharge as a host, you’ll be ready for what comes next.

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Brent
Airbnb Host in LA

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Airbnb Host in LA

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Vacation Rental Insurance: Are you Covered?

. Vacation Rental Insurance: Are you Covered? from MaidThis.com

Whether you’re renting a property as a serious source of income or just as a side hustle, it’s important that you have the right insurance policy to cover any damages that might occur. As running a vacation rental is a business activity, your usual homeowner’s policy or landlord’s policy won’t be valid for the times you rent your property out for short-term stays.

Luckily, many insurance policies are specifically designed for short-term rental properties these days and most providers will allow you to easily add a short-term rental policy to your usual home insurance plan.

Here’s what you need to know about vacation rental insurance.

What should your vacation rental insurance cover?

What’s the difference between vacation rental insurance and homeowner’s insurance? The answer is the degree of coverage as well as what areas are covered.

There are three main categories you should look at when determining what coverage you’ll need for your rental property:

Liability: Without liability insurance, your guests could potentially sue you for any injuries or accidents that happen on your property. This is true even if it doesn’t seem like you’re at fault. General liability insurance protects you and your assets in the event of an unforeseen disaster resulting in injury.
Property Damage: For serious property damage caused by renters or natural disasters, many hosts would be out of luck without property damage insurance. Make sure that the insurance policy you choose covers your entire property, including decks, sheds, and other structures that might be set further away from the house.
Loss of Income: Your property is considered a business expense, so if damages prevent you from renting it out, you’ll need insurance to cover the loss of income. You may be able to be compensated for the time that you miss out on renting due to repairs as well as the repairs themselves.

With a comprehensive insurance package, you won’t have to worry about things going awry when you rent out your property. It’s almost always worth the investment if you’re serious about vacation rental hosting. It’s much cheaper to pay for insurance than it would be to pay for damages or lawsuits that might occur without it.

Vacation Rental Insurance Providers

It’s easy to find a trusted name when it comes to vacation rental insurance. Many of the big-name insurance providers now offer homeshare or short-term rental insurance policies. Here are a few to consider:

The insurance provider you choose will depend on your individual rates as well as what feels best for you. It’s a good idea to shop around and see how the policies differ before committing to one. Don’t just go with what’s familiar; the insurance provider you’ve used for auto insurance in the past might not necessarily be the best choice for your vacation rental insurance.

Overall, an airtight vacation rental insurance policy will save you a lot of time and hassle if something goes wrong during a guest’s stay. You can rest easy knowing that your property is covered, no matter what life (or a guest) throws at you.

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Brent
Airbnb Host in LA

90+

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Laura G
Airbnb Host in LA

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Pros and Cons of Short- and Long-Term Renters

Pros and Cons of Short-Term and Long-Term Airbnb Renters from MaidThis.com

It’s safe to say that travel habits have shifted dramatically in 2020, but Airbnb hosts are still able to find success if they adapt to the changing times. As vacations have declined with the onset of the global pandemic, many hosts are turning to a different business model than usual in order to fill their rental properties: Long-term renters.

There are pros and cons to both short- and long-term renting that you should consider if you’ve noticed a decrease in bookings this year. Here are a few things to think about.

Short-Term Renters

Most Airbnb hosts target short-term renters. These are the people who want to book for shorter periods, like a weekend getaway or maybe they need to rent a venue for a family gathering. Usually, short-term renting is an ideal arrangement as you’re able to keep your property booked for peak season rates without having to worry too much about unpleasant guests overstaying their welcome.

However, when no one is traveling, short-term renting is much less lucrative. Hosts may struggle to keep their properties occupied, especially on weekdays (even at the best of times), and enhanced cleaning guidelines means spending more time and money on thorough sanitization between guests.

Long-Term Renters

While the exact definition may vary depending on who you ask, in general, a renter is considered long-term if their stay is 30 days or longer. Some areas will grant your guest tenant rights after a month, so if you do decide to pursue long-term renters, it’s important to know your local laws and ordinances first.

It’s also extra important to vet your long-term renters before their stay. Short-term renters can only do so much damage during their time with you, but a long-term renter could wreak serious havoc on your property if you’re not careful. It’s a good idea to check in with long-term renters a few times during their visit to make sure they’re not causing any harm to the unit.

However, there are many pros to long-term renting that make it worth considering. Usually, offering discounted rates would mean that long-term renting isn’t as lucrative as short-term if you’re able to book back-to-back short-term stays.

But these days, since few people are traveling, you’re actually better off booking a long-term renter and guaranteeing your property will be occupied for a month or more at a time.

Hosts who rely on short-term rentals might see their units sitting empty for most of the month, but plenty of people still need to book long-term rentals because they’re between leases, or because they want to ride out the pandemic in a new location.

Many hosts report that long-term guests end up taking better care of the rental property than short-term guests because they come to see it as their home during their stay. Finally, you’ll also save on cleaning fees as you won’t have to disinfect the property nearly as often when your guests are staying long-term.

While you might need to change your business model to attract long-term renters, it’s a profitable solution that many hosts enjoy. Ultimately, navigating through these uncertain times will require you to consider whether short- or long-term renting is a better fit for you.

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Brent
Airbnb Host in LA

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Laura G
Airbnb Host in LA

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Environmentally Friendly Airbnb: Is Your Vacation Rental Eco-Friendly?

Is your Airbnb environmentally friendly? Plenty of hosts ask themselves this question at several points throughout their hosting experience.

There are plenty of ways you can “go green” in your vacation rental and varying benefits for each change you make. Here are 4 ways to make your Airbnb environmentally friendly and the positive impact it can have.

Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

Energy Star-rated light bulbs have been around for years now and are far more affordable than they used to be. While many may have questioned their effectiveness, the data is clear: Energy Star-certified light bulbs use up to 90% less energy than “traditional” light bulbs. That’s pretty amazing!

While we don’t recommend changing out all your light bulbs simply for the sake of saving energy (and ultimately wasting perfectly usable “traditional” bulbs that are still operational), we do recommend you replace old bulbs as they burn out with Energy Star-approved ones. You may opt to purchase enough bulbs for your entire home all at once so you can ensure the light coloring and potency is consistent from room to room, but this isn’t completely necessary.

Effective Weather-Stripping and Caulking

We often don’t think about the weather-stripping or caulking around doors, windows, and showers and sinks until we notice an issue. That said, it’s far better to head off issues by checking these things a couple of times every year than to wait for problems to arise.

Poor caulking or weather-stripping can lead to pricey leaks – from water to cold air coming in during winter to leaking cold air seeping outside during the hot summer months. These ultimately jack up your utility bills and long-term can cause potentially serious damage in your home.

Keeping tabs on them to keep your costs down and use less energy overall is ultimately good for the environment.

Efficient Water Fixtures

While you can’t control how guests utilize the water in your home, you can do your water bill and the environment a favor by installing low-flow shower heads and sink faucets in your bathrooms and kitchen.

Is it worth making the switch? The EPA estimates that the average American family uses as much as 300 gallons of water at home every. single. day. That’s a literal TON of water. By installing low-flow faucets and shower heads, you could reduce as much as 60% of water over-usage!

Smart Thermostats

Guests change the internal home temperature a lot. Let’s face it: It’s impossible to please everyone!

How can you ensure your heating and cooling bills don’t run through the roof? Install a smart thermostat that will allow you to “lock” minimum and maximum temperatures. Not only will you potentially save a bit of money on your monthly bills but you’ll be doing the earth another small favor.

There are plenty of ways you can translate “green home” basics into your Airbnb. Look for things you can do with few barriers. You might be surprised how easy it is to implement environmentally-friendly practices into your vacation rental.

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