Airbnb Property Advice: What makes a good property?

Listing your investment property on Airbnb can be a great source of income. But before you jump in feet first, it’s important to think about what makes a good Airbnb property so you can help your home stand out from the crowd. Your place doesn’t need to be a luxury waterfront mansion or a sleek penthouse to succeed in the short-term rental market. The key is having features that guests love.

We sat down with our Portfolio Optimisation team to get their expert insights on which property features are best suited for Airbnb’s, and which properties aren’t.

Airbnb Property Advice: What makes a good Airbnb property?

1. Airbnbs Set Up for the Target Audience

Before listing your property on Airbnb, consider who your target market is: are you aiming to attract families seeking a getaway? Are you aiming to attract families seeking a getaway? Consider adding some family-friendly features and activities to the property, such as large family-sized couches and board games. If you’re targeting professionals, consider setting up appropriate workspaces for remote working. Tailoring your property to meet specific needs can significantly enhance its appeal, attract more guests, and increase your income.

Properties that can accommodate both work and leisure are always in high demand. This is especially true in urban areas with accessible outdoor spaces such as gardens, decks, or balconies. Catering to longer stays and offering both relaxation and productivity spaces can help your property appeal to a larger pool of guests.

2. Well-Presented and Unique Rentals

Airbnbs that provide a unique and memorable experience will always stand out among other listings. When you're writing your listing, it's always worth asking yourself: "What makes my Airbnb unique?" — this helps you highlight your property's selling points. For example, if your Airbnb property has unique elements such as easy access to a popular landmark, a stunning view, or unique cultural elements, including these in your listing is a great way to stand out and attract more guests.

But even a basic property can be transformed into a memorable stay with unique, beautiful decor, and luxurious amenities. For example, eye-catching additions like bright artwork and stylish decor can make your property more bookable. With extra attention to these details, you can easily transform a stay into an experience and increase your chances of receiving positive reviews.

Check out this video from Hannah, Hometime's Portfolio Optimisation Manager, to learn how upgrading your property’s look can boost the guest experience, help it stay competitive, and create a more reliable income.

3. Suitable Spaces and Amenities

Your guests' experience greatly depends on the comfort and convenience your property offers. Ensuring there is ample room for the number of guests you accommodate, with sufficient bathrooms, dining space, and communal areas, is fundamental. If your place is fit to host six guests, make sure the dining table has six seats and the couch can comfortably fit six people. Similarly, make sure you have enough cutlery to suit the number of guests.

Hometime tip: Need some help furnishing your property? Hometime homeowners get exclusive discounts to Koala and Globe West. Get your discount codes by partnering with us below:

Additionally, parking facilities, whether on the property or nearby, add a layer of convenience and security for travellers, especially those in large groups or with rental cars.

4. Fast Wi-Fi and Connectivity

Unlimited high-speed, reliable wifi is essential for guests who need to stay connected, whether for work, social media, or sharing their travel adventures. Ensuring your property offers uninterrupted internet access is essential for catering to today's Airbnb guests.

What doesn't make a good Airbnb property?

1. Low-Quality Homes

The quality of your property will play a significant role in a guest's decision to book. If your Airbnb property needs some maintenance or renovations, it’s important to give yourself time to do the necessary fixes and upgrades before you list it.

You should also make sure to present your property as best as you can. Consider adding vibrant colours and textures to elevate your property's aesthetic appeal, or even getting the place professionally decorated to take it up another level. Professional photographs that showcase a well-maintained and stylish space are also critical.

2. Shared or Non-Private Rooms

Privacy is another important factor that potential guests consider when booking an Airbnb property. Nowadays, guests prefer entire homes or apartments offering complete privacy. Properties that share spaces with homeowners or other guests might not be as popular on the platform.

3. Spaces That Don’t Match Guest Expectations

If you’re marketing your property as family-friendly, safety is key. Features like secure stairs, enclosed balconies, and plenty of lounge space make a big difference. Without them, families may look elsewhere.

Likewise, if your home is in a prime holiday spot with great weather, guests will expect to enjoy the outdoors. A lack of outdoor seating or a comfortable entertaining area can lead to lower ratings.

Get Help Setting Up Your Property for Airbnb Success

Starting on your Airbnb journey or upgrading your existing property can sound like a lot of work, but with the right help, success is within reach. Our expert team is here to guide you with personalised Airbnb property advice, whether you’re looking to explore the Airbnb market or are seeking hands-free expert management for your property. Get in touch with us to learn more about out Airbnb management services, which includes:

• Property onboarding:
  We’ll help you set up your short-term rental as quickly as we can so you can start getting bookings ASAP.
• Listing optimisation:
  Our team constantly works on improving your Airbnb listing through great content, showcasing the best of your property with high-quality professional photos and detailed guides for your guests. This also includes property styling and photography to make your Airbnb stand out and to maximise its appeal.
• Multi-channel management:
  We list your property on Hometime, Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo to maximise bookings. Calendars between each platform are synced, so there's no risk of double-booking.
• Dynamic pricing strategy:
  Hometime’s pricing analysts and market experts will help optimise your revenue while increasing occupancy at the same time.
  
• Airbnb cleaning services:
  We’ll find the best cleaners to look after your home, whether it’s for regular cleans, deep cleans ready for peak season, or even restocking essentials. We use the built-in cleaning fee from the booking, so there’ll be no need to pay for it out of pocket.
  
• Guest vetting, communication, and management:
  We go the extra mile to ensure your guests enjoy every part of their stay, from making the booking, checking in, checking out, and everything in between. This includes taking care of maintenance issues quickly, providing alternatives for late-night arrivals, and even meeting them in person when needed!
  
• Property maintenance:
  Hometime’s local Airbnb experts will sort out all your maintenance needs to make both you and your guests happy. We’ll also do our best to get you the best rates for services in the area due to our close relationships with local businesses.
• Homeowner Portal access: Easily monitor your property's performance at a glance, view detailed breakdowns of your earnings, and view a detailed calendar of guest bookings.
• Exclusive Hometime partnerships: We have a range of supplier partners across categories such as cleaning, furniture, and consumables to provide high-quality amenities in your property for a great price.