Advice on AirBnB self-management

[Amanda Williams]

Hello! I will be closing on my first STR in early June and could really use some recommendations on how to manage it myself. I have worked with long-term rentals and flips, but this seems like a whole new world! I would like to start with some type of management software that integrates the different sites, allows me to integrate auto price updates (wheelhouse), and easily manage guest communications and bookings. A plus would be the ability to communicate with the cleaning team. I have spent hours pouring over the different software programs to the point that my eyes are crossing! Can someone simplify this for me and point me in the best direction to start? What has worked well for you and why? Also, I do live locally, but about 20 min from the unit.

[Julie McCoy]

You really don't need a management system for a single property.  It'll make your life more complicated, and cost you more money.  Also, for your first property it will be good for you to do a lot of things manually at first - learn the system, don't hand it over to a computer right away.  Figure out what prices work in your market for your unit - otherwise, how will you know if a computer is pricing it correctly?  (I've tried them all and think they're all garbage, frankly)  Learn what you need to communicate with your guests and when, have it down to a science, THEN automate it.  

Integrating calendars is dead simple and natively supported on AirBNB, VRBO, etc.  Ignore all the systems saying "We're a channel manager!  You need a channel manager!"  Nonsense.  You definitely need your calendars synced with each other, but you definitely DON'T need additional software to do it.  Search "sync AirBNB VRBO calendar" or similar and you'll learn how in a second.

Communicating with your cleaning staff... what about text messaging?  That's what I do for my four properties.  And if they're just a little tech-savvy, they can import your booking calendar to their smart phone and see your entire schedule at a glance.  I've never once had to communicate the booking schedule to my housekeepers in the Smokies, because they just check their phone each day.  It's brilliant.  

Once you've got your arms wrapped around how everything works, THEN you can look for a system that's suited for you (if you still want one).  But right now, you don't know what you don't know, and management software is only going to muddy the water.