Who Should Hire an Airbnb Property Manager
Hosts who are new to operating a short-term rental may consider it an easy, low-effort way to create passive income. The reality, as any experienced host will tell you, is that managing a successful vacation rental takes time, effort, and focused consistency.
The decision to hire an Airbnb property manager has both personal and professional considerations for STR operators. The value of your time, the importance of your hands-on involvement, and the financials of your investment all play a part in deciding whether to hire property management services for your Airbnb. Here are a few situations where outsourcing your vacation rental’s day-to-day management may make sense.
Multiple Properties
If you’re juggling multiple rental properties, hiring a PM can help you offload many of your day-to-day logistical tasks. Managing several listings can be time-consuming, especially with tasks like pricing and booking management, guest communications, cleaning schedules, and property maintenance and repairs. A property manager takes these responsibilities off your plate, helping ensure smooth operations across your property portfolio.
Growth Goals and Scalability
Hiring an Airbnb property manager can be especially valuable for hosts who strive to expand their short-term rental business. To scale your portfolio efficiently and profitably, you need to spend time focused on investment strategy, property acquisition, and the preparations required to bring new properties to market. Hiring a PM to handle your current properties’ operations and guest communications can afford you that time, allowing you to focus on growth activities that maximize your investments.
Remote Operators
Property owners who host their vacation rentals from afar can also benefit from hiring Airbnb property management services. For owner-operators who do not live near their listing, a local property manager can deliver valuable boots on the ground if and when issues arise.They can help ensure consistent quality control and proper maintenance of your property while also providing a personal connection to local market dynamics.
What to Look for When Hiring a Property Manager
Hiring a property manager to oversee your Airbnb listings requires doing some homework to determine what you want and expect from a PM. It’s crucial to find someone who possesses the right skills, expertise, and services you need to ensure the success of your short-term rental business.
Considerations when searching for the perfect property manager:
- Experience in owning, managing, or operating vacation rental properties
- Local knowledge of the market and specific needs of your area – pricing seasonality, airport transportation for guests, etc.
- Clear understanding of county, municipality, and neighborhood short-term rental regulations
- Efficiency with operational tasks such as coordinating cleaning schedules, managing bookings, and handling maintenance requests
By prioritizing these qualities, you increase the likelihood of hiring a property manager who matches your needs and can effectively support and enhance your Airbnb hosting experience.
Important Conversations When Hiring a Property Manager for Your Airbnb
Before partnering with a property manager, it’s essential to have honest and detailed conversations about your expectations, the services they offer, and the costs involved. Clear communication when interviewing a potential Airbnb property manager can set the stage for a successful partnership and ensure that both parties are aligned on key objectives and responsibilities.
The following are some evaluation questions to ask when looking to hire an Airbnb property manager.
Share Your Hosting Goals and Property Management Expectations
Set up your interviews by sharing your expectations for the roles of property owner and manager and how those roles support your hosting objectives. Discussing these key considerations upfront can establish a solid foundation for a successful working relationship and ensure that your Airbnb listings receive the attention and care they deserve:
- On-site or remote management: Discuss whether you prefer on-site or remote management for your Airbnb listings. Each option has advantages and drawbacks, so it’s crucial to determine which approach aligns best with your needs and preferences.
- Flexible hours: Clarify your expectations regarding the property manager’s availability and flexibility, particularly if you require assistance on weekends or outside of traditional business hours. Addressing this upfront can prevent misunderstandings later on and ensure that your property receives timely attention whenever it’s needed.
- Scheduling routine turnover cleans: Outline your expectations regarding scheduling and coordinating cleans between guest stays. Establishing a clear plan for maintaining cleanliness and presentation standards can contribute to positive guest experiences and five-star reviews.
- Addressing property maintenance proactively: Emphasize the importance of preventing potential issues and ensuring your property’s long-term upkeep. Discuss how the property manager plans to monitor and address maintenance tasks, from routine inspections to unexpected problems.
- Cost structure of services and add-ons: Property management fees can run as little as 5-10% to as high as 30-35%, depending on the complexity of services provided. Understanding the level of involvement you want from a property manager – from listing, booking, and guest communications to boots-on-the-ground services and post-stay follow-up – is crucial to negotiating with and hiring a PM that fits your needs and delivers on your expectations.
Ask About Their Experience and Background
Pose questions focused specifically on the property manager’s experience and background within the vacation rental industry. Targeted questions will help you assess their demonstrated skills and suitability for managing your Airbnb properties:
- How many Airbnb properties have you managed/do you manage, and what types of properties do you serve?
- Have you worked with multiple vacation rental platforms, and which ones are you most familiar with?
- Can you share specific examples of how you’ve successfully marketed vacation rental properties to attract more bookings?
- Have you dealt with challenges specific to vacation rental management, such as seasonality and fluctuations in demand? How did/do you address these challenges?
- What is your experience with acquiring and onboarding new vacation rental properties into a management portfolio?
Evaluate Communication Skills
Communication skills go well beyond check-in and check-out messages. Effective, timely, and positive communication with guests is critical for ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience at your Airbnb property. When considering a potential property manager, evaluate their approach to guest communication by asking the following questions:
- How do you typically communicate with guests before, during, and after their stay to ensure a smooth experience?
- Can you provide an example of a challenging guest communication situation you’ve faced in the past and how you resolved it?
- How quickly do you respond to guest inquiries, and what methods do you use for communication, including any specific tools or platforms?
- How do you handle guest feedback or reviews, both positive and negative, and what steps do you take to address any concerns raised by guests?
- What is your system for keeping property owners informed about guest interactions, property status, and any maintenance issues?
Assess Problem-Solving Skills
Inquire about the property manager’s strategies for mitigating and resolving conflicts, such as enforcing property rules, implementing proactive measures to minimize disturbances, and more. The following questions can help you measure whether or not they have the right problem-solving skills for your vacation rental business:
- What strategies do you use to optimize occupancy rates and ensure consistent bookings during off-seasons?
- In the event of a double booking or scheduling conflict, what steps do you take to minimize guest inconvenience and find a satisfactory resolution?
- How do you address and resolve conflicts between guests and neighbors in the community where the properties are situated?
- Tell me about a situation where a guest violated house rules or terms of the rental agreement. How did you handle it?
- How do you manage unexpected issues that may arise during a guest’s stay, such as maintenance problems or sudden changes in availability?
Discuss Technology and Reporting Tools
Time is money. Ask questions about their use and understanding of industry-related technology, automation, and reporting tools. Ensure they can efficiently streamline your operations and provide valuable data and insights for optimizing your property’s performance:
- What property management systems (PMS) or tools are you familiar with for managing Airbnb properties, and which ones do you consider most effective?
- Can you describe your experience in using Airbnb, Vrbo, and other listing platforms, including your proficiency in managing bookings, responding to inquiries, and handling guest communications?
- How do you leverage technology to optimize pricing strategies and maximize occupancy rates for Airbnb properties under your management?
- What third-party tools or apps have you used to streamline tasks such as cleaning coordination, maintenance scheduling, or key exchange? Which ones do you find most beneficial?
- How do you use technology to monitor and ensure compliance with local regulations and stay informed about changes that may impact Airbnb listings?
Ask About Networking and Local Market Knowledge
Ensure the property manager you’re interviewing demonstrates genuine insights into industry trends, local regulations, and market dynamics. Inquire about their experience in networking and real-time knowledge about your local market.
- How do you stay updated on changes in the Airbnb platform, industry trends, and local regulations that may impact hosting and property management?
- How familiar are you with the local market and regulations governing short-term rentals in the areas where my properties are located?
- How do you conduct market research to understand demand, pricing trends, and competition in the local short-term rental market? What strategies or tools do you use to gather this information?
- Can you discuss a time when you successfully collaborated with other property managers or hosts in your area to address a common issue or capitalize on an opportunity in the market?
- Tell me about your network of local property professionals and service providers such as plumbers, electricians, HVAC, yard and pool maintenance, and general contractors.
Address Contingency Plans and Emergency Response
Accidents and emergencies happen at all hours and without warning. To assess if a potential PM is well prepared for any situation, ask about their experience in managing sudden challenges:
- What types of guest emergencies or challenging situations have you experienced? How did you handle them at the moment, and what is your protocol for following up with guests or the property owner?
- How do you manage emergencies, such as a sudden breakdown of essential amenities or utilities, to ensure minimal disruption to guests and quick problem resolution?
- Tell me about your documentation and reporting procedures for emergencies and your response efforts. How do you evaluate and improve your emergency preparedness?
- What is your process for managing situations where guests may be at fault for an emergency or damage to the property? Describe your approach to resolving disputes and ensuring fair and equitable outcomes for all parties involved.
- How do you collaborate with other service providers or contractors to expedite repairs or maintenance during emergencies? Can you share any strategies you use to ensure reliable and timely assistance when needed?
Scale Your Vacation Rental Business with an Airbnb Property Manager
The services and cost details related to hiring a property manager depend on the specific needs and goals of your short-term rental business.
A great property manager can be a strategic partner and asset to your Airbnb business. They can help make owning a rental property feel more like passive income. On the other hand, an unqualified property manager has the potential to waste your time, energy, and money. Careful consideration and thorough vetting will give you the information you need to make the right choice for your property and your hosting business.
Many hosts utilize their Airbnb property manager to onboard and schedule professional vacation rental cleaners. Through Turno’s cleaner marketplace, your property manager can connect with reliable, affordable, and skilled cleaners who specialize in turnover cleaning. Your PM can curate detailed photo guidance checklists for tasks and inventory items, quickly handle repairs or onsite issues, and much more with Turno.
The Turno Team , The Turno Team researches and publishes articles designed to provide short-term rental Hosts, Property Managers, and Airbnb Cleaners with insightful, useful resources. Articles written by the Turno Team cover a wide range of STR interests, from the latest industry data and best practices to real-world, practical advice on running efficient, revenue-generating vacation rental businesses in an ever-changing market.
