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I tried searching previous threads but couldn’t locate an exact match. If there is one, please link to it.
I am a few months into hosting an out-of-state house we bought and am very comfortable doing it remotely.
I want to expand and make some money while helping other hosts who aren’t in love with hosting. I would be offering this to hosts near where I live, not where my other house is.
So, has anyone successfully pursued contacting other hosts with offers to co-host for them? If so, how did you go about doing it? Simply messaging them and offering your service? What are some tips you can share from your experience in finding hosts for this and for managing their homes? Does ABB allow me to do this (would they care/know?)?
I am not a super host but will qualify after next review (I think).
Thx. Ya I tried searching their site, and google. Saw some articles about co-hosting from late 2016 but really wanted to hear from individuals who have done this.
To clarify, I am not referring specifically to the ABB-led program of connecting with other hosts. I should be able to co-host on my own without going through ABB and that is what I am referring to.
I have a friend who does this locally. I think she has just built up her business through word of mouth - telling people about how successful her Airbnb business is and offering to give people advice before they start listing their own property. Then I think when they realize how much work it is many of them opt to take her up on managing it for them. She also has a website, Facebook, etc to promote her business. I think she manages 6 listings now so she’s doing pretty well with it.
It sounds like you would like to provide some sort of management support service for other hosts as @barefootNM says it’s about you building up your network locally and initially been a source of great advice.
Get involved in any local Facebook or local groups. Or set up your own Group.
You could also look at targeted local advertising.
Have a look at how other local Airbnb management services promote themselves.
Personally if I was looking for someone I would prefer to go with someone who had more extensive hosting than a couple of months, but there might be some who would be happy to consider you.
Thank you @barefootNM and @Helsi. I will look for groups and continue networking (which I have been doing for a while now). I realize I don’t have a long track record but I will ask for a fee that is relative to my experience. Each place that I successfully host will strengthen my credibility.
I put an ad on craigslist last week and will likely move forward co-hosting a studio for someone who responded. This person is a f/t engineer and only hosted for a few months before realizing it was too much work. He was very happy he found me! lol
Hi @knightrider for me it’s not about the fee but being confident any host I use has an extensive track record of being able to manage difficult situations, managing visitors at a property and choosing the right guests. Someone with only a couple of months with one property is highly unlikely to have this.
I am glad you found a fellow new host happy to give you a try. Do make sure you have a water tight contract.
I sometimes think, and I’m not directing this at the OP who might have loads of experience away from Airbnb, that there are some people who very much under-estimate the skills required to be in the hospitality industry. This is why many hotel staff members have degrees in hospitality management or at least have been on extensive training courses.
Of course, this isn’t necessary for the casual Airbnb host who is sometimes renting out their spare room (you learn as you go) but for anyone who is selling their services as a specialist then there are so many skills required.
I definitely understand why you would be reluctant @Helsi, but as @jaquo pointed out, there are many hosts who aren’t as passionate or dedicated as some of us are to hosting. I can make their lives easier and they can go back to focusing on their other obligations while still earning more than they would if the property were rented to long-term tenants.
Another thing to consider is that it could be considered property management in some states. Here in Hawaii by law you must have a real estate license to manage more than one property. Find out what the laws are in your state and whether co hosting would be considered managing.
If you like doing it, maybe you should get your real estate license and become a property manager.
That’s a great point @konacoconutz. In my state you need a broker’s license to be a property manager but I will call the DRE and see if co-hosting falls under that umbrella.
