Migrating AirBnB Profile

[Adam Lanik]

Hi, I recently purchased a property here in San Diego that was run as an AirBnB. The previous owner has bookings far beyond closing, lots of good reviews for the property and superhost status. Option 1 is I can take over their account, replace all info with my info and run the account as my own. Option two is to block out future listings on previous owners account and add the listings to my current account. The previous owner handed over the account, so everything is kosher with option 1. Curious if there are any pitfalls I'm not seeing or perhaps better approaches.

[Avery Carl]

@Adam Lanik thanks @Kenneth Donaghy!

Taking over a previous account can seem like a good idea at the time, but can also be a major newbie mistake. I would personally never agree to take over a previous owner’s profile. You don’t need it and you don’t need their reviews and future bookings if you’re buying in the right market.

There are some intangible factors that go into this other than reviews and future bookings. If the host has ever canceled a booking on the host side, that counts against them on their listing on the platform algorithm forever. The previous host could have great reviews from guests, but be one strike away from getting kicked off the platform by the platform at the time you take over. I don’t like to inherit other people’s tenants with LTR’s for similar reasons. The only evictions we have ever had to file have been on tenants inherited from previous owners.

My advice is to take complete control of your own business and start fresh so there are no surprises.