I am part owner in a condo in a resort beach area in the South. I only have Sept -Dec. time period to rent. I’m not sure when I should publish this listing. Does Airbnb give new listings a priority spot for awhile? I don’t want to post too soon when nobody will be looking for fall rentals until spring or summer?? any advise out there??
@Ejsb79- the south of what? The US? Is it Disney? More details = more help.
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every market and local differs in prime booking.
Here in Florida, even east and west coasts vary in their prime time. East coast has LOTS more Spring Breakers than we have on the West side…
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Haha! Sorry! Hilton Head Island SC It’s off season but beautiful there. More golfers tend to come in the fall, but our high season is manly anytime school is out. Thank you!
How large is it? What is your target group? Our experience is that groups of adult friends book fairly early (as much as a year ahead), special-occasion travelers (honeymoon, anniversary) book rather early, parents with children book a few months out, and couples tend to book closer in. But we are a bucket-list fly-to location with a “destination” home, so everyone else may have different experiences.
3 bedroom, 2-1/2 bath condo-1,800 sq. feet, 2 levels Golfers, snowbirds. I would love longer term rentals. I’m fairly new to this & didn’t know if I should wait to list closer to time of availability. Thank you, very helpful
Will you really get snowbirds for a 3 bedroom place? I have no experience in that area, but I presumed snowbirds were just couples, and probably wouldn’t show up in the fall
I was thinking more of Nov/Dec for that. Golfers more in Sept/Oct. I’m just not sure when to make my listing live. Does it get higher rankings when it’s a new listing?
Hilton Head is awesome! But you’re right - fall is definitely not the high season. But maybe you’ll get a reservation or two. Probalby not long-term though. Air doesn’t really specialize in long-term rentals. I would guess at that time of year you’d be lucky to get anything more than a 3-day weekend.
Make your listing live at any time and just mark out the months you can’t accept reservations.
People usually book not farther out than about 3 months. But there’s no reason not to make your listing live now. It doesn’t cost anything to keep it open!
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There is a new host boost therefore timing your going live to coincide with prime booking time is wise.
Thank you! So is there a new listing boost? I already have one property listed, so I wouldn’t qualify for the new host boost.
I’m in North Myrtle Beach (For folks unfamiliar with South Carolina - 200 miles North of Ejsb79)
My Canadian Snowbirds book 6 months to a year in advance. Example: In May 2017, Dec 20, 2017-April 15 2018 was booked.
In April/May 2018 expect potential renters to be looking for their 2019 rentals. Five times, I’ve had guests request a showing and arrange a lease with me for the following spring. While their 2018 is running out, they start shopping for next year’s.
I have two condos in an Intracoastal community (a 2BR/2BA & a 1BR/1BA).
I’ve had two couples share the 2 BR condo (the bedrooms & baths are separate & dedicated). Also when a single couple rents, they like having the 2nd BR for visitors.
My one BR unit rents to mostly singles off season.
I think snowbirds will rent a 3BR condo and want to share it with friends & family visitors.
Your market is more exclusive than mine so you may get long term fall golf season renters. I do not. I don’t think it is common to get Sept-Dec long term renters because they are staying close to home so they can celebrate the holidays with family. However my Sept 1-Oct 31 is usually booked by adults with no school age children & golfers on long weekends.
I list on Zillow for LTR. Expect them to want to see the unit before they commit. I also list on Airbnb with a supplemental lease agreement for LTR.
I’m no expert but I’m willing to share whatever I can. If you want to talk reach out via private message.
BTW–my June, July & August is already 50% booked. Many ocean front units are 75-90% booked. Since mine is not oceanfront, I’m not booking as fast but I’m booking.
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I close from November to March but leave my listing up with the calendar blocked for that time period that way people can see my listing and book in advance and I don’t have to worry about bringing it back up.
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My husband created a bubble chart for our listing (Maui, HI).
September gets most bookings in July and April
October books most in July
November in August
December in August
I realize you’re in H2, SC but perhaps it might be similar.
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Thanks to everyone for being so helpful. So what I’ve learned (I think!), is that there is not a “new listing boost” for a host that already has one listing, Airbnb won’t necessarily be a good sight for LTR & I should go ahead & post. Is there a way to link the two postings? I have another unit in the same complex that’s a two bedroom, not a three & in a slightly different area.
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Post during the first week of June, after Memorial Day…during the next months as the summer vacations retreat to the background, then it is the heavy bookings for fall, and for snowbirds.
That is a few months leeway ahead to allow Sept bookings…but be aware that Sept is a slow month.
Make sure you know how you plan to handle hurricane threats, or hurricanes, for reservations or for guests.
Specify your terms in your contract.
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