I never have used INSTANT BOOK --it’s a risk too large for me to take (for many reasons) I only take vetted guests, who agree to my house rules, which are few but very clear --and stated positively. I’ve had 244 bookings over 3 years and NO PROBLEMS! Because I tell my guests what I want and expect in a guest (in a very nice way). I also insist on clear photos of each guests, first AND last names of everyone, + current residence (I also book no one closer than 600 miles–no locals!!). I also ask for the reason for their visit. Also ‘early birds’ only! You get what you ask for…you just have to ask! (or tell) - Wendy P.S. If they don’t read my entire listing, I don’t book them! (saves everyone time and grief)
Just curious - I’m a little new here. Why do you avoid locals?
I hosted a local once who was disengenuous about her reasons for staying, saying it was for her biyfriend to discover the city. It ended up being used for a booty call, a party place, crash pad and toilet for unregistered guests who live out of their van! My neighbours who have little children were worried about the white van these people parked in front of their house and since I did not know a thing about these people, could not reassure them at all. I caught them when I had to let my cats out at 6 AM and they were trying to sneak out. The person who booked had asked for early check-in and late check-out but after confronting her about the people exiting the suite and her complete denial, I disallowed the early check-out. She was very good at lying bold faced to me but I had seen these people leave, she broke several house rules and even turned my furnace off and on several times that my Nest enabled me to discover, which I told her about as I escorted her and her boyfriend off the property once they checked out.
We have many cultures in our city which do not allow their daughters to date outside their race and for which their very lives are at risk if discovered. So, this situation also introduces an extra danger if hosting even if these booty calls sounds romantic, it can turn violent by stalking relatives.
There is also a lot of local gang activity in my port city.
If you need any more examples locals also know where you live and can return if they copied a key, can book for others or misrepresent it as their own, taking pictures of the listing, bilking others of illegally got moneys.
I hope this helps you decide whether or not to book to locals, I never will again.
Locals can get hold of your key and make a copy. they can watch you leaving your apt, and just walk in after you are gone. also there is a homeless problem of huge proportions in Los Angeles (other places as well). many of these homeless folks stay in hotels, hostels, and airbnb’s. they are not clean I am sorry to say…I don’t want them bringing in bugs from sleeping on the ground, or their dirty and sometimes terribly smelly clothing. I work very hard to maintain a very clean environment. I also notice that the cheaper house cleaners are often homeless people or drug addicts. Make sure your house cleaners are licenced and bonded! (and/or experienced professional house cleaners). I have had TWO bad experiences…I think the last one (who spent an hour cleaning a small bathroom) used it to take a shower…she even told me she brought clothing to change into…should have caught that right away! I thought it was a legit cleaning company…but the company just hires random people then sends them out as if they are company employees. I could tell this person was not very experienced. Anyway, no locals, and cleaners who are licensed only!
I’m not being argumentative here - just explaining the other side of hosting locals 
We’ve hosted local people whose homes have been inaccessible for one reason or another. I remember one couple whose home was being tented (bugs are a huge problem here!) A few years ago, we stayed with a local host when our building was being painted. It was about a hundred yards from our home! This was convenient because I could stroll up the street to see the progress.
So I can understand why locals can raise red flags for hosts but there are sometimes legitimate reasons.
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I think, as with all guests, it depends on how the guests presents themselves to the host in pre-booking communication. We have had some locals stay, for the very legitimate reason that @jaquo mentioned, and we have even stayed at Air’s locally when our house was getting refurbished. On the flip side we have also had some bizarre local requests. You just have to gauge them the same way you gauge OOT requests.
We’ve heard of cleaners in Hawaii working for Mainland owners who rent out the vacant nights for cash and pocket the money. The owner is never the wiser.
Once they have the keys and the schedule, they can do anything with your house… and no one will know!