What Every Good Airbnb Needs

Fair warning: Alissa is recording this one with a little bit of what she calls "wine flu." She spent two full days on a Louisiana real estate committee reading the purchase agreement line by line, and the celebratory dinner afterwards got away from her just a little. She's fine. Katy brought the list and is going to do most of the talking.

If you own an Airbnb or short-term rental — or you've ever dreamed of owning one — this episode is for you. Katy went deep on a list from lodgify.com (vacation rental software out of Spain, which becomes very relevant by the end of the episode) covering everything a great Airbnb should have. And Alissa, as the real-life owner of a four-bedroom cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee that she purchased for $290,000 in January 2020, offers the perspective of someone who has actually dealt with guests putting Dawn dish soap in the dishwasher. Spoiler: it did not go well.

This is part practical checklist, part honest owner confession, and all entertaining.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

- The Netflix shows "Stay Here" and "World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals" — must-watches if you're in the Airbnb world
- Alissa's Gatlinburg cabin story — from bear-themed tchotchkes to a full renovation and what's still on the wish list
- Why linens are the most stressful part of owning a short-term rental (and the quilt vs. luxury comforter debate)
- The owner's closet — why you need a locked one and what to keep in it
- Bathroom must-haves: full-size toiletries, hairdryers in every bathroom, mirrors everywhere, and a basket big enough to actually use
- Katy's all-time favorite Airbnb in Paducah, Kentucky and why Jennifer is the host of all hosts
- Kitchen essentials — and what guests will do to your dishwasher if you're not specific in the instructions
- Outdoor amenities: rocking chairs, hot tubs, fire pits, and why a dead potted plant is worse than no plant at all
- Accessibility features for disabled travelers
- Family-friendly amenities and which ones guests will just bring themselves
- Safety must-haves: fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detector, smoke detectors, and a first aid kit
- The welcome binder — why a list of local restaurants organized by dress code is pure genius
- What happens when you raise your rates to slow bookings and guests just get needier instead
- The instagrammable photo wall and the year-round Christmas tree with ornaments guests leave behind
- Why Alissa found a single local cleaner instead of a big management company — and why it made all the difference

Toast of the week goes to Kristin Crockett in Virginia, toasted by her business partner Hannah. Kristin introduced Hannah to the Hustle Humbly email templates and together they built Raise the Bar Real Estate. Cheers to Kristin!

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Music:
Straight A's by Connor Price → https://connorprice.shop/
The Good Life by Summer Kennedy → https://soundcloud.com/summerkennedy/the-good-life
Be The One by Matrika → https://uppbeat.io/t/matrika/be-the-one