As a property manager, invest several months completing every aspect of renting out an Airbnb property from answering the initial e-mails from prospective renters to managing check-in and check-out to cleaning the home.

In doing so, you will accomplish several important tasks. First, you'll understand the entire process and appreciate the time and effort of each stage. Second, you'll be able to see inefficiencies and areas of improvement more easily. And, third, you'll be able to parse out which tasks you enjoy doing and which ones you'd rather not perform long-term.

As with any business, time is money, so you'll want to make some decisions on how you want to spend your time and what tasks you'd like to automate or outsource.

For instance, check-in and check-out procedures used to require many more interactions between a property manager and potential guests. Now, Airbnb has provided automated tools to allow guests to register and pay for your property online.

Be sure to invest some time in creating a frequently asked questions section in your listing and include detailed instructions about how to access your property including key codes and door locations. And, stay on top of developments inside and outside of Airbnb to take advantage of time-saving devices.

Synchronize calendars and to-do tasks between the Airbnb calendar, Google and your smartphone. Although the advantages may not be clear if you are a one-person-show, this step will be an immense time-saver once you start building a support network and team.

For instance, if you decide to hire someone to help manage questions and issues during the guests' stay, that person will need real-time access to check-in and check-out information. If you employ a cleaning service, an up-to-the-moment calendar will allow that service to provide timely, efficient cleaning assistance. A clean property is so important that finding a company that will provide excellent and odd-hour services is key.

At the beginning of managing a property, keep careful records of how quickly supplies are depleted and consider how often you want to restock. Give yourself plenty of cushion so that the likelihood of items being completely depleted is nil.

Then, invest some time in searching out vendors who will sell you supplies in bulk. This may be a simple online search or could include talking with local stores who might be willing to sell you a bulk amount from their large inventory at a lower price.

Besides disposable items, don't forget about frequently used items that will need to be replaced regularly. For instance, a high-traffic rental will require replacement sheets and towels every several months to a year.

 

By answering as many of their questions as possible, you will save yourself from a multitude of phone calls asking the same questions over and over again. In addition, by providing extra information, you will create an image of a host who truly cares and has anticipated the needs of guests. As a result, you will improve your ratings, helping you to market your rental property to future tenants.

Some items you may want to include in your guide are how to work the television, DVD player or any other appliances, what the WiFi password is, how to control the temperature, where to place trash and recycled materials, and where to find extra blankets. Extra information may include the names, addresses, phone numbers and hours to local restaurants or popular entertainment spots or flyers from special events happening during the upcoming week.

Solicit feedback from each guest, and regularly add new questions and suggestions to your house guide.

 

Remember that Airbnb management should be a pleasant experience and outsourcing the tasks you don't enjoy will allow you to free up time for the aspects of the business that you do enjoy.