2. Kwikset 99420-003 

The strong and durable build of this smart lock can guarantee security. Not only does it have auto-lock features, but it can also support up to 250 personalized codes. Lock and unlock your Airbnb from anywhere using its app where you can also receive notifications of each entry and exit. If you need a cleaner or contractor to come over. this smart lock can give them 1-day access. 

What Airbnb Cleaning Supplies Do You Need? A Complete List

Having the complete Airbnb cleaning supplies are the key to stepping up your cleaning routine from average to immaculate. They can help you ensure every nook and cranny of your Airbnb sparkle with freshness. Check below for complete cleaning supplies for Airbnb:

Airbnb Cleaning Tools

These are the instruments designed to help your cleaning routine. Their purpose is to remove dirt, stains, and debris. These tools are durable and can last until they are worn out.

1. High-quality vacuum – for carpets, rugs, and surfaces.
2. Brooms and dustpans – for sweeping dirt for easy disposal
3. Sponges and brushes – for scrubbing surfaces. Make sure you have different types that include toilet, dish, and scrub brushes.
4. Microfiber cloth – for wiping, dusting, and general cleaning
5. Dusters – for removing dust on smooth and textured surfaces
6. Dusting wands – for dusting hard-to-reach areas like ceilings
7. Spray bottles – for dispensing cleaning agents 
8. Gloves – for hand protection from harsh chemicals
9. Lint rollers – for removing lint and debris from the upholstery
10. Steam cleaners – for sanitation of surfaces using hot steam

Airbnb Cleaning Supplies

An Airbnb cleaning supplies list is not complete without cleaning solutions. These are formulated to remove dirt, odor, stains, and germs from surfaces. Make sure to regularly stock up on Airbnb cleaning supplies for they make your rental look and smell fresh.

1. Disinfectants – for killing viruses and bacteria on surfaces, most useful on high-touch surfaces such as switches, knobs, and handles.
2. All-purpose cleaner – an all-around cleaning solution for multiple surfaces
3. Glass cleaner – for cleaning glass and mirror surfaces without leaving a streak 
4. Bathroom cleaner – for removing soap scrum, toothpaste stains, and grime from different surfaces of the bathroom including tiles, sinks, and toilets
5. Kitchen cleaner – effective for removing grease, food stains, and residue from kitchen surfaces
6. Floor cleaner – for removing dirt and stains while maintaining the floor’s natural appearance
7. Wood cleaner – for removing dirt while keeping the natural gloss of wood surfaces
8. Stainless steel cleaner – for cleaning and bringing back the shine of stainless steel appliances
9. Carpet cleaner – for removing marks and odors from carpets
10. Upholster cleaner – for cleaning and deodorizing fabric furniture  
11. Cleaning wipes – for quick and easy cleaning of surfaces
12. Trash bags – for waste disposal
13. Baking soda and vinegar – an economical alternative also effective for cleaning and deodorizing  

Introduction

A lot of Airbnb hosts think that they can already take things easy after hiring a virtual assistant. Sadly, it is not. While hiring the right people is important, providing them with the right skills and tools can ensure the success of your Airbnb business.  In this blog, we will talk about the onboarding process to set your Airbnb virtual assistant up for success. 

Airbnb Virtual Assistant Training Plan

Training a virtual assistant for Airbnb can be a complex task. Part of the training should definitely include business communication, navigation of multiple digital platforms, and Airbnb policies. But training is not as daunting as you think. With the right steps, you can set your Airbnb virtual assistant for success.

1. Define the tasks: Identify the specific tasks that your Airbnb virtual assistant needs to perform. This will determine the scope and focus of the training plan. These tasks can be responding to guest inquiries, managing reservations, and sending automated messages to guests. But you can also ask yourself, “What are the tasks that I need to outsource to an assistant?” These tasks may be something repetitive or complicated. This will depend on your willingness to entrust someone else to do it. It is best to set manageable expectations early on, as you can tweak your training plan whenever necessary.

2. Assess the Airbnb VA’s current skill level: You pretty much know their virtual assistant’s strengths from the employment interview. The next step is to closely evaluate their current skill level. There are certainly transferable skills, but there are also knowledge gaps. These areas for improvement should be the focus and the priority of the training.

3. Introduce them to your Airbnb data: Collect data related to the tasks you want your virtual assistant to perform. This can include previous guest inquiries, reservation details, and typical guest interactions. Introducing your virtual assistant to the big picture of your Airbnb business operation will make it easier for them to absorb information during the training.

4. Build the conversational flow: Build the conversational flow for your virtual assistant. This may include the prompts and corresponding responses that it will use to interact with guests. Generally, a conversation flow on Airbnb may follow the structure below:

• • • Guest inquiries: Guests ask the host to ask about the availability of the unit, the price, and any other details that they may need to clarify before booking.
    • Request booking: Once the guest has decided on their preferred unit, they can submit a booking request to the host via the Airbnb platform. The host can then accept or decline the request. The host may even propose alternative dates or terms.
    • Pre-check-in: Hosts and guests may communicate at this stage about the check-in and check-out protocols, local recommendations, or last-minute special requests and requirements.
    • During the stay: If they have any questions or issues regarding their stay, guests can raise them to hosts via the Airbnb messaging system. This is also where the hosts can respond with solutions and recommendations or offer assistance to the guests. 
    • Post-stay: After checking out the guests, hosts may send a thank you message. Hosts can also use this stage to invite their guests to leave a positive review or offer them a discount for return stays.
      There is no standard conversation flow that you have to follow. This is why it needs to be set during the training. You may read Best Free Airbnb Message Templates for inspiration. 

5. Be open to feedback: Develop a feedback mechanism to evaluate the onboarding program’s effectiveness and make necessary changes to improve it.

6. Monitor progress: Monitor your new Airbnb virtual assistant’s progress to ensure that they complete the required tasks and adjust the program accordingly.

Technological Tools for Airbnb Virtual Assitant

Being tech-savvy is among the top skills included in an Airbnb virtual assistant job description – because after all, they will be performing these tasks remotely. Technology is their most important bridge to your guest and to you as well, being the host.

We cannot stress enough the importance of computer literacy because it can ensure the success of your Airbnb. Here are some of the most commonly used tools for Airbnb:

• Booking platforms: Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO, or any other booking platform of your choice are where the business happens. These tools are used to manage listings, reservations, and guest communication. 
• Channel managers: Chances are, you will not list your property on Airbnb alone. You will list your unit on multiple booking platforms. But to keep track of all transactions, channel managers can act as a centralized dashboard. Such channel managers are responsible for Guesty, MyVR, and Rentals United. They help a lot of hosts to save time by synchronizing availability calendars, rates, and bookings from various platforms.
• Payment processing tools: Payment processing tools such as Stripe and PayPal can help hosts process payments from guests and manage their financial transactions. These tools can help hosts ensure that they are paid in a timely and secure manner. Payment tools can also help facilitate refunds and chargebacks if necessary.
• Dynamic pricing tools: Dynamic pricing tools such as Airbtics, AirDNA, and Mashvisor have already become indispensable when it comes to ensuring the success of your Airbnb. Dynamic pricing tools use algorithms to adjust rental prices based on factors such as demand and seasonality. These tools can help hosts maximize their rental income and occupancy rates. Some of these tools like Airbtics can also give you insights into your next Airbnb market by showing you its revenue potential. 
• Automated messaging tools: Automated messaging tools such as Smartbnb and Hostfully can help hosts automate guest communication, sending messages at specific intervals before, during, and after their stay. These tools can help hosts and Airbnb administrative assistants save time and improve guest satisfaction.
• Property management software: Property management software such as Lodgify and Kigo can help hosts manage their entire vacation rental business, from marketing and booking to even basic accounting. If you’re still deciding what property management software to use, here are the top 10 available tools on the market today.

Strategies For Keeping a Good Airbnb Virtual Assistant

To help you retain a good Airbnb virtual assistant, we have put together a list of 7 tips to help you build a strong working relationship and keep your virtual assistant for the long term.

1. Provide clear and realistic expectations

Identify your virtual assistant’s job duties, responsibilities, and expectations from the beginning by setting an Airbnb virtual assistant job description. Should they only do responding to guest inquiries or concerns? Will they also do promoting your Airbnb units on social media? Is basic accounting part of the job? These are the things that need to be established from the get-go.

Discuss with your assistant their work schedule and your expected targets. And lastly, make an agreement regarding communication preferences as no employee working remotely appreciates being bombarded with messages from all communication channels. 

2. Offer a positive work environment 

Even if they are working remotely, you still have to provide a positive work environment to your Airbnb administrative assistant. Aside from giving them the right tools and resources, treat them as team members – not just independent contractors. If there’s anyone else, introduce your assistant to the other people involved in your Airbnb. Don’t just foster a supportive and collaborative work culture, but also encourage a healthy work-life balance.

3. Pay your Airbnb virtual assistant on time

As an Airbnb host, it’s crucial to establish clear expectations regarding payment for your virtual assistant. Set the day in the month when they should be expecting their pay. Failure to pay on time is a common reason why employees leave their work. 

Consistent and timely payment is a motivating factor that encourages virtual assistants to stay with your Airbnb, rather than seek employment with competitors. It’s important to prioritize paying your VA on time to avoid losing them to other Airbnb hosts.

4. Give regular feedback

Offer regular feedback to your Airbnb virtual assistant, both positive and constructive, to help them stay on track and develop their skills. You can use objective performance metrics, such as booking targets and guest reviews to evaluate your remote assistant’s performance.

5. Be concerned about their growth and development

Like all employees, virtual assistants value the chance to grow and develop professionally. You can support their professional growth by shouldering the expenses of virtual assistant training programs or seminars related to short-term rentals where they can get additional skills and also certifications. You can also provide them with new responsibilities to broaden their skillset. 

6. Offer yearly salary appraisal 

Your dollar value is already a lot stronger compared to the currency of your Airbnb virtual assistant. But still, do not lowball a very good assistant. Maintain a competitive wage or salary that reflects their current experience and skills. If your assistant is really good, they already know their worth as well as the standard salary for someone working remotely from their country. Giving a merited increase in their salary can help demonstrate that you value their work and are committed to their success.

7. Communicate openly and simply

Make sure to keep the communication with your virtual assistant open and collaborative. It’s just crucial in any working relationship, especially in short-term rentals where miscommunication is the usual problem between Airbnb hosts and guests.  It is important to schedule regular check-ins and promote transparent communication to maintain alignment and address any concerns or problems promptly.

Introduction

Gone are the days when you need to handle your Airbnb properties and guests all on your own. In modern times, it’s so easy to consider outsourcing everything. This includes hiring an Airbnb virtual assistant!

In this article, we will guide you through as you look for a virtual assistant so you can have more time enjoying the profits of your rental properties!

What to Look for in an Airbnb Virtual Assistant?

Every job opening entails some qualifications that employers need to look for in an applicant. When looking for the best one, here are some of the important items included in the Airbnb virtual assistant’s job description:

1. Experience: Look for a virtual assistant who has experience working with Airbnb hosts, as they will be familiar with the specific needs and challenges of managing an Airbnb property. Of course, they do not necessarily need to have the experience of working with other hosts. You may also consider hiring someone who has done rental arbitrage since it has already made them more immersed in Airbnb operations.

2. Communication skills: Since misunderstanding is quite common in the Airbnb industry, excellent written and oral communication is really a must. So look for a virtual assistant who is a natural and excellent communicator.  Aside from this skill, they should be able to respond to guest inquiries and concerns in a timely and professional manner.

3. Attention to detail: A virtual assistant should be able to keep track of reservations, schedules, and guest requests. They should also pay attention to such details as this can ensure that all aspects of your Airbnb property are running smoothly. 

4. Availability: Make sure the virtual assistant is available to work the hours you need them to. This includes being available to respond to guest inquiries and concerns promptly. Remember that missed bookings are usually the result of getting late responses. 

5. Professionalism: Even if they work remotely, virtual assistants should conduct themselves in a professional manner as their job is mostly client-facing. They should be able to represent your Airbnb property in a positive light and provide excellent customer service to your guests.

6. Technology skills: Since your virtual assistant works remotely, technological skills are a valid expectation. They should be proficient in all platforms and tools related to your Airbnb business. This included reservation & booking systems, communication platforms, and scheduling tools.

How to Find the Perfect Airbnb Virtual Assistant?

Finding the perfect Airbnb virtual assistant can take some time and effort as it requires some research and screening. But it’s worth it to ensure that you hire a reliable and efficient Airbnb assistant to help you manage your property. 

With the right approach, you can find an Airbnb administrative assistant who is a good fit for your needs and can help ensure the success of your Airbnb property. Here are some steps you can take to find the perfect Airbnb virtual assistant:

1. Determine your needs: Make a list of the tasks you need help with and the amount of time you need a virtual assistant to work for you. Part of understanding your needs can also help you consider how many virtual assistants you should hire. Should you hire at least 2 from different time zones? This will help you determine the type and number of virtual assistants you need and how many hours per week or month they will need to work.

2. Look for virtual assistant companies: There are many agencies that specialize in providing virtual assistant services, including those that specifically cater to Airbnb hosts. You can also try looking for independent contractors at online job portals like Upwork where there are a lot of listings for Airbnb virtual assistant jobs. 

3. Ask for recommendations: Ask other Airbnb hosts if they have any recommendations for virtual assistant companies or individuals they’ve worked with in the past. Their first-hand experience working with a particular virtual assistant can go a long way as they can help you find one for you more easily.

4. Conduct interviews: Once you’ve narrowed down your list of potential virtual assistants, conduct interviews to assess their communication skills and ensure they’re a good fit for your needs. During the interview, ask questions about their experience, their communication styles with guests, and their preferred work schedule.

5. Check references: Before hiring a virtual assistant, call their previous clients for references. This can help you validate your potential virtual assistant’s work ethic, reliability, and performance from their previous job.

What Are The Benefits of Hiring an Airbnb Virtual Assitant?

After spending time looking for the Airbnb virtual assistant who is the best fit for your needs, you can expect the following benefits of this kind of investment: 

1. Reduce stress and workload: Managing an Airbnb property can be stressful and time-consuming. Hiring a virtual assistant can help reduce your workload and relieve stress. This allows you to enjoy more free time and a better work-life balance.

2. Save money: A virtual assistant is paid a lot less than a full-time employee. Since a VA is an independent contractor, you only pay for the hours worked. Likewise, you can avoid allocating a budget for employee benefits, office space, and equipment.

3. Flexibility: Virtual assistants can adapt to your ever-changing needs. You can adjust their hours as your Airbnb requires. And since virtual assistants work remotely,  you can hire people from anywhere in the world.

4. Save time and increase productivity: By outsourcing tasks to a virtual assistant, you can free up your time to focus on more important tasks like growing your other business or attending to your personal commitments. This can help increase your productivity and improve the efficiency of your operations.

5. Improve guest experience: A virtual assistant can help provide excellent customer service to your guests. Their needs being met promptly and professionally can lead to positive reviews, increased bookings, and repeat guests.

6. 24/7 availability: Even when you are not available, a virtual assistant can respond to guest inquiries and concerns. And should you hire more than one assistant with varying schedules, you can ensure that your guests’ needs can be met 24/7. This can help provide a better guest experience and improve your overall reputation as an Airbnb host.

The Power of Automation in Business

Automation can be a game-changer for any enterprise. In its simplest form, automation is about optimizing business processes to reduce repetitive manual tasks, which saves valuable time. When applied to an Airbnb business, automation can transform operations, from automated guest communication to intelligent booking management and efficient property maintenance.

Picture this scenario: Rather than individually sending check-in instructions to each guest, automation tools can dispatch this information at a preset time. This not only frees up your time but also guarantees consistency in your communication, culminating in an improved guest experience.

The Role of 10XBNB in Streamlining Your Airbnb Business

10XBNB is an innovative online training program designed to guide hosts on how to maximize their Airbnb operations, with automation at the heart of its strategy. Its creators are seasoned Airbnb Superhosts, having cultivated a highly profitable business generating over $5 million in booking fees.

Through this course, you gain insights into the possibilities of automation, ranging from routine tasks to more complex processes. It demystifies the application of software tools designed to simplify daily tasks, ultimately streamlining your business for heightened efficiency.

Areas of Automation with 10XBNB

Automated Guest Communication

An essential aspect of Airbnb hosting is effective communication. 10XBNB reveals how to automate a substantial part of your guest communication, thereby enhancing the speed and efficacy of your responses. This proactive communication approach can significantly improve guest satisfaction, leading to more positive reviews.

Streamlined Booking and Invoicing

The course also delves into strategies and tools for automating your booking and invoicing procedures. Automated invoicing not only maintains accurate financial records but also gives your business a professional edge.

Efficient Property Management

In the sphere of property management, there is an array of tasks that automation can simplify, such as cleaning schedules, maintenance reminders, and more. With 10XBNB, you gain insights into efficient property management, ensuring your property always offers the best experience for guests.

The Role of Automation in Growing and Scaling Your Airbnb Business

Automation is a catalyst for growth and scaling in the Airbnb business. It paves the way for hosts to expand their property portfolio while maintaining excellent service and guest experience. By automating tasks, hosts can free up their time to focus on growth-oriented strategies such as acquiring new properties or refining marketing tactics.

Streamlining operations through automation can also lead to financial growth. Automation reduces errors and increases efficiency, leading to cost savings. Simultaneously, the improved guest experience and swift communication facilitated by automation can result in higher occupancy rates, thus increasing revenue.

Furthermore, automation allows for easy scalability. As your business grows, the automated systems grow with it, easily adapting to handle more properties and more bookings. This efficiency is a crucial advantage for any entrepreneur aiming to expand their Airbnb business.

Finally, automation provides insightful data that can help hosts make informed decisions about their business. For instance, data from automated booking systems can provide valuable insights into peak booking periods, allowing hosts to adjust their pricing strategies accordingly. These data-driven decisions can significantly impact profitability.

Mastering Automation

Mastering automation isn’t a one-day event; it’s a process that requires understanding and practice. Thankfully, 10XBNB provides an extensive guide that will help you familiarize yourself with various automation software and strategies. It’s like having your very own mentor guiding you through every step, ensuring that you understand how to effectively streamline your Airbnb business operations. With 10XBNB, mastering automation becomes a seamless process.

Expanding Your Horizons with 10XBNB

With automation and efficient systems in place, hosts are equipped with the necessary tools to expand their businesses. 10XBNB not only teaches you about automation but also helps you explore the possibilities of business expansion. Whether it’s venturing into co-listing, rental arbitrage, or property acquisition, 10XBNB prepares you for the next level. The course equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully handle an expanded business portfolio.

Navigating Challenges

Every business venture comes with its fair share of challenges. In Airbnb hosting, these could be managing multiple properties, handling difficult guests, or staying updated on Airbnb policies and regulations. With its comprehensive curriculum and real-world insights, 10XBNB prepares you for these challenges. It empowers hosts to handle any situation with confidence and ease. The creators of 10XBNB have faced these challenges themselves and provide actionable strategies to navigate them effectively.

Conclusion

Automation and streamlining of processes are integral to the successful running of an Airbnb business. Through its practical, tested strategies, 10XBNB provides hosts with the tools they need to make their businesses more efficient, profitable, and scalable. So why wait? Embrace automation with 10XBNB today and elevate your Airbnb business to new heights.

6. Prepare the kitchen and appliances 

Today, most tenants evaluate the condition of the apartment by the appearance of the kitchen and bathroom. Why? This is because they wear out the fastest and, as a rule, greedy hosts prefer not to get involved in their repair and renovation. 

If your apartment/house has a poor kitchen or bathroom, neither modern rooms nor an elite sofa with a TV can compensate for it. Tenants simply won’t consider your option in this case. That’s why pay special attention to the condition of the kitchen and bathroom when preparing an apartment or house for rent. These actions allow noticing problems with leaking pipes or poorly functioning ventilation in time.

Overall, transforming your home into an Airbnb is easy. You just need to follow our advice and act accordingly. Also, you can put yourself in the role of a tenant and think about what you would like to change. A happy guest is the best indicator of effort. As a result, you will receive positive feedback and many new tenants that will bring you financial success!

Read the cancellation policy

AirBnB offers three basic cancellation conditions. You can choose between the following policies:

• “Flexible” – full refund if cancelled up to 1 day before the stay;

• “Moderate“ – full refund if cancelled no later than 5 days before the stay;

• “Strict“ – 50% refund if cancelled up to one week prior to the stay.

According to the statistics, the best and highest-rated apartments have “strict” cancellation conditions. Thus, if your plans can change, prefer accommodation with a “flexible” cancellation policy. In reviews, also look for automated comments about host cancellations. If many were found, avoid that option.

Discuss the details of your arrival

Most hosts by default don’t provide the opportunity to move into the chosen apartment at any time of the day. Hotels are better in this sense. Though, if you booked an apartment, and your flight arrives, for example, at 10 pm, be sure to inform the owner about it! If the host is unable to check you in and you’re unable to arrive earlier, the host may decide to cancel such a booking without incurring any penalty to you, even though “strict” cancellation conditions apply.

The best thing you can do is to discuss your check-in time before making a booking. And don’t forget – in case of an unexpected delay, for example, a flight delay, inform the host about it in the correspondence on AirBnB, and don’t make him wait at the apartment in vain.

Make the bathroom safe for everyone

A clean and well-maintained bathroom is an essential ingredient for a comfortable family stay. Therefore, bring it to the appropriate form. In addition, the bathroom is the main storage place for household chemicals, so remove all cleaning products, shampoos, and gels from the child’s field of vision.

If there are sockets, close them with plugs. Also, don’t leave a hair dryer or an electric shaver connected to electricity in the bathroom. The slippery bottom of the bath is also dangerous for the child – cover it with a rubber mat to protect the little ones from accidental falling.

Remove all sources of danger in the kitchen

The kitchen is another headache for families with children, so it’s important to help make it safer to use. The main source of danger is the stove. Most modern stoves offer kid protection. If it’s an older model, you can provide special protection mechanisms as well. For example, an oven latch will prevent a young explorer from opening the doors of a hot oven.

Also, install a protective screen on the stove so that the child doesn’t reach the boiling pot. Cutting off access to the cooker regulators is also a must – purchase special caps for this. They are suitable for both gas and electric stoves.

Oh yes, and don’t forget to prepare a separate place for sharp and cutting objects. They shouldn’t be accessible to little explorers.

Guarantee a safe use of balconies, stairs, and windows

Windows are a particularly attractive object for a child because he/she likes to see what is happening outside. In addition, they are often open for airing in the summer. In order to prevent the ventilation of the room from turning into trouble, use grilles on the windows.

Also, you can install special locks that prevent little ones from opening the window. Be extremely careful with mosquito nets – they only create the illusion of support, but in fact, they are not able to hold even a minimal load. The same applies to the balcony and the windows installed in it. If your apartment has stairs, also make sure they are safe to move up and down.