How important do you think outdoor space is to guests? I ask because our unit has a beautiful water and mountain view. However, there is no patio. There is a small yard behind the building that is shared by the LTRs. To be honest, it’s in pretty rough shape. There’s an old beat up picnic table and the yard is pretty ugly. We’d like to fix it up before high season, but I’m not sure we’ll have the time, energy, or money. I don’t want to mention it and then have guests complain it wasn’t up to par. Should I just try to do some simple upgrades on the cheap, not worry about having outdoor space, or just advertise it “as is”. We’ve only been hosting since November so hasn’t been an issue yet. Thanks for any input.
We have an outdoor table and chairs in our back yard. Our guests enjoy eating and working on their laptops outside. I think that you should do whatever is affordable to you to make your outdoor space nice as a water and mountain view is a big draw.
My husband saw some guests having a hard time using Skype outside so he got a WiFi extender. I recommend that you do the same. It cost very little and the guests really appreciate it.
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It really depends on what sort of guests come to your place - families, couples, business people? How long do they stay for.
An outdoor spot in the summer with lovely views can be priceless.
If you don’t want to do it yourself. - invest some of your BNB income to clear out the yard, paint in some summery colours and put up a hammock/table and chairs and a few pots with pansies and other cheap and bright flowers.
Could you talk to your neighbours and see if they would share costs?
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Hi @Arlene_Larsson,
i think outdoor space is a big plus for a listing, provided there is somewhere the guests can sit comfortably, eat, and chill out. And not get bitten by insects, if possible. Some reasonable seating and an umbrella or other type of awning would be good for shade.
The bottom line is that it’s a place where they can go if they want to get away from the room. Unless you have a lot of quality shared space available to the guests inside.
We have a terrace here, and it’s fairly high on my todo list to put in some quality seating there, but it hasn’t happened yet.
I think you should certainly provide access to the space. And provide photos of it. It would be a net plus over not providing access. Guests can always choose not to use it.
Are you concerned that the images will lower the tone of the listing?
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I too think that outside spaces are important. We have an outdoor table and chairs right outside the rental. There’s also one on the ground floor below. There is lounging furniture on the dock.
Most guests make full use of these. The rental is small apartment and we usually host couples. I see them outdoors together but often just one guest will be outside - possibly getting a break from their partner 
Be sure that any upgrades you do really are on the cheap - most new hosts spend far too much getting their places ready!
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Guests will need somewhere to smoke outside so it would be best to get the yard looking reasonably presentable and supply somewhere to sit.
Thanks everyone for all of your replies!! We get couples and friends and some single people. Our place sleeps 3, so could potentially get a child as well. (We’ve only been hosting since November 2016). We actually own the building. It’s 8 units and we’ve turned 1 into an Airbnb. So improvements to the yard would be beneficial for everyone, we’ve just never made it a priority. We live in the building next door which has no yard so we also use the yard ourselves. It could be a really nice space with a little work. There are apple trees and a small view, it’s just not landscaped or well kept up. I’m afraid to mention it as it is for fear people will think it’s kind of junky looking. My husband tends to be all or nothing and I worry he’ll never complete his grandiose vision for the yard. I think I’ll just try to get the planting beds cleared out and looking decent and try to find a reasonably priced table and chairs. There’s already a BBQ down there and our small vegetable garden. We don’t have many bugs here so it is nice to sit outside when it’s nice out.
It sounds like it could be a lovely space and the fact you own it gives you complete control which is great.
I agree take it in stages. Think about low maintenance solutions - so decking and bedding is easier to keep up than lawn for example.
Of course improving it will encourage your other tenants to use it too.
I think this really depends on your location and target – for nice weather destinations like Florida or Los Angeles, I could see it as a big plus. Note that guests (or long term tenants) using outdoor space can really increase noise levels for everyone in a multi-unit complex, as well as in adjoining buildings. So maybe don’t make it too nice, LOL.
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I have an amazing setting, but without somewhere to sit it’s not great for guests. Last year when I was setting up I had almost no money for setting up my Airnb. I haunted thrift shops and kept my eyes open for free stuff.
Using an old table and some newer chairs, plus my camping sunshade, I’ve made a nice spot for guests to enjoy. There is also a BBQ, they can be bought for little money and folks love them. I also found two reclining outdoor chairs people had left st the side of the road, nothing wrong with them, guess they upgraded. You don’t have to spend a lot to make your outside space welcoming to guests. Not in the picture there is a freestanding fire pit that I also got for free. Check out freecycle and Craigslist, buy a few inexpensive annual plant pots and you are set.
I’m not able to get pic to upload.
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What error message are you seeing?
Absolutely. Any area that guests have access to needs to be clean and tidy.
I agree with @Louise to have a look at second-hand shops and Craigslist/Gumtree. Also, a bit of paint goes a looong way.
Thanks everyone for your input!! I’m kind of excited to fix the yard up now.
None, it just keeps saying loading 100%, but nothing happens.
Have you tried different browsers, operating systems, or computers? Could it be a network issue?
I’d call it a courtyard when you have tarted it up…much more appealing 
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I don’t have time to do,that. I tried 3 times lost half an hour.