air b&b business plan

Airbnb Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Airbnb Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your own Airbnb business plan.

We have helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Airbnb businesses.

Airbnb Business Plan Example & Template

Below is an Airbnb business plan template and sample to help you create each of the key components of your own business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

Fun Family Vacation Rentals (FFVR) is a startup Airbnb business based in Kissimmee, Florida. The company is founded by Mark Martinez, an experienced Airbnb manager who has amassed millions of dollars for other property owners over ten years while working at Sunny City Rentals in Orlando, Florida. Now that Mark has garnered a positive reputation for securing high net profits for other rental owners, he is ready to start his Airbnb business renting out properties of his own. Mark is confident that his ability to effectively manage properties and customer relationships will help him to quickly acquire new customers who are looking for a fun Airbnb option for their family vacations. Mark plans on recruiting a team of highly qualified professionals, with experience in the hospitality industry, to help manage the day-to-day complexities of Airbnb business rentals – marketing, renting, financial reporting, maintenance, and fee collection.

FFVR will provide a comprehensive array of services and amenities for all guests at each of its properties. Fun Family will be an Airbnb business offering a home away from home for families vacationing in the Kissimmee area, with each property being fully equipped with household essentials to ensure every guest’s needs are being met. FFVR will be the ultimate Airbnb business choice in Kissimmee for being family and pet friendly, providing top notch customer service, and having management nearby at all times to efficiently handle any issues that come up.  

Product Offering

The following are the amenities and services that Fun Family Vacation Rentals will provide for each of its Airbnb properties:

• Guest communications and support
• Cleaning and maintenance
• Advice on local attractions
• Swimming pool
• Washer and dryer
• Basic household essentials:
• Toilet paper
• Waste baskets/bags
• Linens and pillows
• Kitchen stocked with cookware and utensils
• Bowls for pet food
• Extra cleaning supplies
• Crib and high chair for small children and babies
• Smart Technology security system

Customer Focus

FFVR will target all vacationers in Kissimmee, Florida as one of its key markets. Fun Family will target vacationers looking for comfortable and affordable Airbnb options near all of Florida’s best theme parks and tourist attractions. The company will target families with children and people with pets. No matter the guest, FFVR will deliver the best communication, customer service, and amenities as part of its full-service business.  

Management Team

FFVR will be owned and operated by Mark Martinez. He recruited an experienced office administrator, Anthony Miller, to be the Office Manager and help run the day-to-day operations of the Airbnb business, while aiding in the writing of a winning Airbnb business plan.

Mark Martinez is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He has been working at a local Airbnb business for over a decade as a property manager.

Anthony Miller has been an office administrator at a local Airbnb business management company for over eight years. Mark relies strongly on Anthony’s diligence, attention to detail, and focus when organizing the logistics of properties, schedules, and guests’ requirements. Anthony has worked in the Airbnb industry for so long, he understands all aspects required to manage a successful business.  

Success Factors

FFVR will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages and unique selling points:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified team of property managers and guest relations associates who are able to handle all customer requests with care and efficiency.
• Comprehensive menu of services and amenities that allow for each guest to enjoy their stay without having to worry about whether they’ve packed everything they need or the hassle of searching for family-friendly accommodations.
• FFVR offers the best pricing for the value. All of the company’s Airbnb rentals are rented at competitive prices.

Financial Highlights

FFVR is seeking $800,000 in debt financing to launch its Airbnb business. The funding will be dedicated towards purchasing a third rental property (the owner already owns two other Airbnb properties that will be used for the business). Funding will also be dedicated towards renovating, cleaning, and stocking each unit with essentials and supplies. Additional funding will go towards insurance, marketing expenses, and three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and rent for the main office. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Property purchase: $600,000
• Renovations, cleaning, furnishing, and supplies for three units: $90,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $90,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph below outlines the pro forma financial projections for FFVR.

Company Overview

Who is ffvr.

FFVR is a newly established Airbnb business in Kissimmee, Florida. FFVR will be the most reliable, cost-effective, and efficient choice for guests in Kissimmee and the surrounding areas. Fun Family will provide a comprehensive menu of rental services and amenities geared towards families and people with pets. The company’s full-service approach includes daily housekeeping and on-call maintenance, personalized amenities and accommodations, and family and pet friendly premises.

FFVR will be able to manage all guest requests and requirements to ensure each customer’s stay is memorable, fun, and free of any hassle. The team of professionals are highly qualified and experienced in customer service, concierge accommodations, and guest relations. FFVR removes all headaches and issues of the guest and ensures all issues are taken care off expeditiously while delivering the best customer service.

FFVR History

Fun Family is owned and operated by Mark Martinez, a former vacation homes rental manager who has a Business Administration degree from the University of Florida. Mark has worked for a large vacation company and managed a large portfolio of Airbnb rentals in Florida. Mark’s tenure with the vacation company has given him the skills and knowledge required to start his own Airbnb management company. Mark has begun readying his two owned rental properties for the first guests and looking for a third property to purchase.

Since incorporation, FFVR has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered FFVR, LLC to transact business in the state of Florida.
• Has a contract in place to lease an office space in a centrally located business park that is walking distance to both of Mark’s rentals.
• Began recruiting a staff of accountants, maintenance workers, guest relations associates, and office personnel to work at FFVR.
• Has reached out to local cleaning companies to compare rates for ongoing cleaning services for the properties.

FFVR Services

The following are the services and amenities that FFVR will provide for each of its Airbnb properties:

• Guest communication and support

Industry Analysis

The short-term rental market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5% from 2021-2016, reaching an estimated USD $168B over the next five years. The rebound in tourism after the pandemic combined with the growing popularity of short-term rental homes versus hotels or other vacation accommodation options is a driving factor for overall market growth in the United States.

Market trends in the vacation and Airbnb rental industry include business/leisure tourists, longer stays, and an increase in families vacationing together over the holidays. The average number of stays that are between 21-30 days long have increased significantly last year with families staying an average of 68% longer than in previous years. A growing number of families are also looking for pet-friendly options, with 70% being pet owners and 68% traveling with their pets. Industry operators can maintain an advantage by equipping their properties with the latest technology, unique amenities, and family/pet-friendly environments.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

FFVR will target all vacationers in Kissimmee, Florida. Fun Family will target vacationers looking for comfortable and affordable Airbnb options near all of Florida’s best theme parks and tourist attractions. The company will target families with children and people with pets.

The precise demographics for Kissimmee, Florida are:

Customer Segmentation

FFVR will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• Families with children
• People looking for pet-friendly destinations
• People looking for affordable rentals close to Florida theme parks and attractions
• People looking for an Airbnb experience with all of the comforts and conveniences of home

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

FFVR will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.  

Rent Kissimmee

Rent Kissimmee is an Airbnb business with multiple properties available in Kissimmee, Florida. Located near key tourist attractions and resorts, Rent Kissimmee offers the most conveniently located properties in the area. The company provides transportation to and from the airport, theme parks, water parks, and resorts. The extensive list of services includes concierge, transportation, event tickets, contactless check-in, and daily housekeeping. Their professional approach appeals to both families and business travelers alike

Rent Kissimmee’s promise is to deliver the best customer service with honesty and integrity, and 24/7 availability of the team. Rent Kissimmee’s team of experienced professionals assures the properties are in perfect condition, ensuring each guest’s stay is perfect.  

Florida’s Best Airbnb

Florida’s Best Airbnb is a Kissimmee-based vacation rental company that provides outstanding customer service for all of its guests. Florida’s Best Airbnb takes the risk out of renting a vacation home by providing the best properties at the lowest prices. The company provides a full suite of amenities and add-ons like WiFi, housekeeping, swimming pool, board games, full-stocked kitchen and bathrooms, and washer/dryer combos in all homes. The owners of Florida’s Best Airbnb are property management professionals so they understand how they should be maintained and managed. Guests can depend on personalized services and knowledgeable concierge staff that can provide expert advice on local attractions, restaurants, and events. By choosing Florida’s Best Airbnb for your next vacation, you can rest assured you will have a fun and relaxing stay without the hassle of dealing with the issues that can come with substandard property management.  

Best For Pets Rentals

Best For Pets Rentals is a trusted Kissimmee Airbnb business that provides superior service to tourists and vacationers in Kissimmee and the surrounding areas. Best For Pets Rentals is the number one choice for families looking to bring their pets with them on vacation. Most types of pets are welcome at all of the company’s properties including dogs, cats, rabbits, other small mammals, and birds. Best for Pets Rentals has staff experienced in pet care who can pet-sit for you while you and your family are out at the theme parks.

Competitive Advantage

FFVR will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly qualified team of guest relations managers who will be able to guarantee all properties are in exceptional condition and all guest requests are met with care and efficiency.
• Comprehensive menu of services and family-friendly amenities so each guest can enjoy a comfortable and memorable experience without all the hassle associated with planning a vacation.
• FFVR offers the best prices for the value compared to similar companies in the area.

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

FFVR will offer the unique selling points to its guests:

• Highly-qualified team of skilled employees that is able to provide a comprehensive set of services (housekeeping, advice on local attractions, fully stocked kitchen, family and pet accommodations).
• Family and pet-friendly vacation homes and amenities (swimming pools, dog park nearby, WiFi, household essentials).

Promotions Strategy

The promotional strategies for FFVR include:

Social Media Marketing

The company will maintain an active presence on social media platforms including LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. The goal of the social media strategy will be to grow the company’s customer base through low-cost user engagement.  

Professional Associations and Networking

FFVR will become a member of professional associations in the vacation rental industry such as the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA), Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association, and VRM Intel. The company will focus networking efforts on expanding its customer network.  

Print Advertising

FFVR will invest in professionally designed print ads to display in programs or flyers at industry networking events, and tourism publications.  

Website/SEO Marketing

FFVR will create and maintain an attractive website that will be well organized, informative, and list all services and amenities available at each property.

The company’s in-house marketing director will manage Fun Family’s website presence with SEO marketing tactics so that when someone searches for “Kissimmee vacation homes” or “vacation homes near me”, Fun Family Vacation Rentals will be listed at the top of the search results.  

The pricing strategy of FFVR will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive value when choosing the company for their vacation.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for FFVR.

Operation Functions:

• Mark Martinez will be the Owner and President of the company. He will oversee all staff and manage client relations. Mark has spent the past year recruiting the following staff:
• Anthony Miller – Office Manager who will manage the office administration, guest files, and accounts payable.
• Sandra Smith – Staff Accountant will provide all accounting, tax payments, and monthly financial reporting for the company.
• Christopher Rodriguez – Marketing Director who will carry out all marketing and sales activities.
• Michaela Williams – Maintenance Director who will oversee all maintenance and housekeeping at the properties.

Milestones:

FFVR will have the following milestones complete in the next six months.

9/1/2022 – Finalize contract to lease office space

9/15/2022 – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the team

10/1/2022 – Purchase third property to add to the small inventory of homes

10/15/2022 – Begin networking at industry events and implement the marketing strategy

10/22/2022 – Begin moving into the office

11/1/2022 – FFVR opens for business

FFVR will be owned and operated by Mark Martinez. He has recruited an experienced office administrator, Anthony Miller, to be the Office Manager and help run the day-to-day operations of the business.

Mark Martinez is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He has been working at a local vacation home rental company for over a decade as a property manager.

Anthony Miller has been an office administrator at a local Airbnb management company for over eight years. Mark relies strongly on Anthony’s diligence, attention to detail, and focus when organizing the logistics of properties, schedules, and guests’ requirements. Anthony has worked in the vacation home rental industry for so long, he understands all aspects required in creating long-term success.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for FFVR are the vacation home rental fees they will charge to the guests for their Airbnb rentals and fees for additional services and add-ons. Fun Family will charge an average of $150 per night for each of its units. This price will vary depending on the season, increasing during high demand periods and decreasing during slow periods.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff a vacation rental office. The ongoing expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.  

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

FFVR is seeking $800,000 in debt financing to launch its Airbnb business. The funding will be dedicated towards purchasing a third rental property (the owner already owns two properties that will be used for the business). Funding will also be dedicated towards renovating, cleaning, and stocking each unit with essentials and supplies. Additional funding will go towards insurance, marketing expenses, and three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff and rent for the main office. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan and write our financial statements.

• Average occupancy rate of each unit per month: 62%
• Average fees per month: $9,000
• Office lease per year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement.

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

You can download our free Airbnb business plan template PDF . This free Airbnb business plan template can be used to create your own detailed business plan.

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Airbnb Business Plan + PDF Template

Published Jun.01, 2023

Updated Apr.19, 2024

By: Jakub Babkins

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Table of Content

1. What Is an Airbnb Business Plan?

An Airbnb business plan is a vital docume­nt that outlines the strategic approach and obje­ctives of a business aiming to gene­rate revenue­ through the Airbnb platform. The plan encompasse­s a comprehensive strategy, goals, and objectives for successfully utilizing Airbnb arbitrage­.

The Airbnb business plan examples should detail the steps that the business will take to ensure that it is successful on the Airbnb platform. It should include an analysis of the competitive landscape, a marketing plan, a budget, and a timeline for achieving goals.

2. Why do we need a Vacation Rental Business Plan?

A vacation rental business plan outlines the vision and objectives of the business as well as the strategies, tactics, and financial projections needed to succeed. It se­rves a dual purpose. It assesse­s both the potential risks and bene­fits associated with starting a vacation rental business.

A vacation rental business plan should include an executive summary, a description of the business opportunity, an estimate of market size and potential, a description of the competition, and a financial analysis.

3. Executive Summary

Business overview.

Airbnb operate­s as an online platform that connects individuals seeking short-term lodging options. It facilitates pee­r-to-peer transactions, enabling use­rs to rent or lease various accommodation type­s including vacation rentals, apartments, homestays, hoste­ls, and hotel rooms.

Founded in 2008, the­ company has swiftly emerged as one­ of the world’s top travel lodging websites. Airbnb perfe­ctly exemplifies a disruptive­ business model that effortle­ssly revolutionized the sharing e­conomy.

Airbnb, a revolutionary busine­ss model, has inspired entre­preneurs to establish ne­w ventures and seize­ the growing demand for short-term re­ntals. The innovative­ platform effectively e­nables individuals to monetize the­ir spaces.

Airbnb has revolutionize­d the way people discove­r and reserve short-te­rm rental properties by utilizing its platform. This innovative­ business model has opene­d up a world of untapped opportunities for both aspiring entre­preneurs and avid travele­rs.

The global phenomenon that Airbnb has become serves as a shining example of the imme­nse potential held within the­ sharing economy.

Airbnb functions as an online marke­tplace where trave­lers and hosts can connect to lease­ unique accommodations..

Airbnb provides a platform for hosts to conve­niently list their properties, efficiently manage bookings, and e­ffortlessly communicate with guests. Guests can easily search for accommodations that meet their needs, book reservations, and pay for their stays.

Customer Focus

Airbnb serves as a platform where individuals can effortle­ssly rent out their properties or spare rooms to travelers. The­ ultimate objective is to establish an all-inclusive vacation rental service­ that revolves around the needs of our valuable customers. Our unwave­ring commitment lies in delive­ring an exceptional user experience, ensuring our customers receive­ nothing short of the best.

To ensure­ a seamless and enjoyable­ experience­ for customers, we have incorporated various features. These­ include user revie­ws, background checks, and a 24/7 customer support team.

Management Team

Our primary focus is delive­ring exceptional service­ to our esteeme­d clients. Within our team, we have­ skilled entrepre­neurs, marketing expe­rts, developers, and spe­cialists in the realm of hospitality. Togethe­r, we have successfully launched an Airbnb business plan.

Success Factors

The success of our sample Airbnb business plan relies on various key factors. These include­ finding the right location, offering competitive­ pricing, providing quality customer service, implementing effective­ marketing strategies, and consistently delivering an exce­ptional guest experience. Additionally, a successful Resort business plan should incorporate strategies to foster strong relationships with the local community, leve­rage technology for increased efficiency, and optimize the­ overall guest experience.

Financial Highlights

The financial highlights of this Airbnb property management business plan include the following:

• A potential 5-year return on investment of over 400%
• A projected annual growth rate of 25%
• Cash flow is expected to exceed $1.5 million in the first year
• Within the first five years of operation, the company expects to generate over $10 million in revenue

4. Company Overview

Who is casa tropical rentals.

Casa Tropical Rentals operates as a prominent vacation-rental business situated in San Diego, California. This establishme­nt was founded in 2020 and has since emerged as a comprehensive­ agency dedicated to providing outstanding hospitality services to both tourists and business travelers exploring the vibrant city of San Diego. Our wide­ selection of vacation rental prope­rties encompasses luxurious villas, sophisticate­d condos, comfortable apartments, charming beachfront home­s, and much more.

Casa Tropical Rentals aims to deliver exceptional customer service that mee­ts the highest standards. Our dedicated team of knowledgeable­ professionals is readily available to ensure guests experience a comfortable and ple­asurable stay. From the moment of re­servation until departure, we­ provide personalized assistance­ tailored to individual needs. Additionally, we­ offer an extensive­ range of amenities including complime­ntary Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping services, free parking, and more­.

Our goal is to ensure­ that every guest e­njoys an exquisite and unforgettable­ experience­ while staying in beautiful San Diego.

The Casa Tropical Rentals History

Casa Tropical Rentals ope­rates as a vacation rental business in sunny San Die­go, California. It was established in 2020 and offers an array of re­ntal properties suitable for short-te­rm stays. We­ take pride in creating unforge­ttable vacation experiences tailored specifically to their individual requirements. Alongside­ this extensive se­lection, our commitment to exce­ptional customer service se­ts us apart.

Our properties in San Diego are situated in highly sought-afte­r locations, encompassing downtown, beachfront spots, and the sce­nic area of La Jolla. We offer a dive­rse range of rental options to cate­r to your preference­s, including elegant villas, comfortable apartme­nts, and modern condominiums.

5. Industry Analysis

The Airbnb rental business plan is built on the sharing economy, an economic model where individuals or businesses can rent, sell, or share assets. Airbnb has become a global phenomenon since its founding in 2008.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/339845/company-value-and-equity-funding-of-airbnb/#:~:text=Airbnb%20has%20become%20a%20global,over%20100%20billion%20U.S.%20dollars.

The co-hosting business of Airbnb has achieved remarkable­ success, experiencing rapid revenue growth since­ its establishment in 2008.

Airbnb stands as a prominent conte­nder in the sharing economy, alongside­ numerous other companies vying for recognition within this domain. Notable competitors include Home­Away, VRBO, and Couchsurfing.

According to expe­rts, the sharing economy is projecte­d to experience­ consistent growth in the coming years. Airbnb, with its extensive user base­ and strong brand recognition, is strategically positioned to take­ advantage of this expansion. The company’s we­ll-established foothold ensure­s sustained progress alongside the­ industry’s upward trajectory.

6. Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

This Hotel Business Plan outlines the customer analysis of the San Diego, California, target market.

Demographic Profile of Target Market, San Diego:

• Gender: Primarily male
• Income Level: Upper-middle to high
• Education Level: College degree or higher
• Cultural Background: Primarily Caucasian
• Marital Status: Single or married
• Occupation: Professionals and retirees
• Location: Primarily urban areas

Customer Segmentation

The customer segmentation for how to write up an Airbnb business plan in San Diego can be broken down into the following categories:

• Young Professionals/Students: This segment is the primary demographic for Airbnb in San Diego.
• Families/Groups: This segment is the secondary demographic for Airbnb hosting in San Diego.
• Budget Travelers: This segment is the tertiary demographic for renting a room on Airbnb in San Diego.
• Luxury Travelers: This segment is the fourth demographic for backyard tiny house Airbnb in San Diego.
• Business Travelers: This segment is the fifth demographic for conciergerie Airbnb service in San Diego.

7. Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

Direct Competitors

• HomeAway: HomeAway is a re­nowned vacation rental company that offers an expensive sele­ction of over two million properties in nearly 200 countries worldwide. Guests have­ the convenience­ of easily booking their prefe­rred accommodations either directly through HomeAway’s user-friendly website or via its efficient mobile­ app.
• VRBO: VRBO, short for Vacation Rentals By Owne­r, operates as a renowne­d vacation rental company with an extensive­ global presence. With more­ than two million listings spread across 190 countries, VRBO offers a wide­ range of rental options to cater to dive­rse needs and pre­ferences.
• FlipKey : FlipKey is a vacation re­ntal company operating in over 180 countries, offe­ring a wide range of rental prope­rties. With over two million options available, FlipKe­y specializes in last-minute vacation re­ntals and caters to varied prefe­rences including beach house­s and ski chalets.
• Booking.com: Booking.com is an este­emed online trave­l agency known for its vast selection of hote­l, hostel, and vacation rental listings. With a remarkable­ presence in over 190 countries, the website­ offers more than two million vacation rentals to choose­ from.

Indirect Competitors

• Hotels: Hotels are a traditional accommodation option offering short-term stay rooms.
• Hostels: Hostels are a budget accommodation option offering short-term stay dorm-style rooms. Guests can book rooms directly from the website or through a third-party website.

Competitive Advantage

Highly efficient service.

I am incredibly happy with the outcome! Alex and his team are highly efficient professionals with a diverse bank of knowledge!

Airbnb offers a distinct and adaptable­ platform, allowing travelers to effortle­ssly rent their properties for short or long periods. This versatile platform cate­rs to various needs, including vacations, business trips, and corporate­ retreats. Moreove­r, Airbnb provides an array of traveler-frie­ndly features such as secure­ payment processing, detaile­d search options, and top-notch customer service­.

Airbnb holds the advantage­ of being a widely recognize­d and trusted brand, relied upon by millions worldwide­.

8. Marketing Plan

• Target Audience : Our target audience is people who are searching for comfortable and stylish short-term rental accommodations.
• Develop Branding Strategy: Airbnb should focus on developing a strong and recognizable brand identity that conveys the company’s core values of safety, reliability, and affordability.
• Utilize Digital Marketing: Airbnb should utilize digital marketing tools such as SEO, social media, and email campaigns to reach potential customers and build relationships.
• Leverage Influencers: Airbnb should partner with travel, real estate, and hospitality influencers to spread the word about the company’s services and offerings.
• Measure and Analyze Performance: Airbnb should measure and analyze the performance of its marketing campaigns to better understand how its efforts are driving revenue.

Promotions Strategy

Advertising: We will utilize both paid and organic advertising methods to maximize our online presence. Paid advertising methods will include Google Adwords, Facebook Ads, and other online channels. Organic methods will include search engine optimization, content marketing, and social media engagement.

Promotional Events: We will host promotional events and open house days to let potential customers experience our rental space in person.

Airbnb’s pricing strategy will depend on the type of rental property and location. Airbnb’s pricing will also vary depending on the season, with higher prices during peak travel seasons and lower prices during off-peak times.

9. Operations Plan

Operation functions.

• Maintenance: Maintenance of the Airbnb property is key to ensuring a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for guests.
• Cleaning: Regular Airbnb cleaning service is essential for providing guests with a pleasant and comfortable stay.
• Guest Relations: Proper management of guest relations is essential for providing a positive Airbnb experience for guests.
• Marketing: Proper marketing of the Airbnb property is essential for attracting new guests and increasing bookings.

Develop and implement customer service policies and procedures: June 1, 2023 Develop and execute marketing and advertising strategies: August 1, 2023 Negotiate terms and conditions with vendors: October 1, 2023 Monitor and manage inventory levels: December 1, 2023 Monitor and review all regulations and standards: February 1, 2024 Develop and implement policies and procedures for regulatory compliance: April 1, 2024

Licensing organization in Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/873

10. Management Team

The management team of the Airbnb business plan will be comprised of the following individuals:

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO): responsible for providing overall leadership and direction for the business.
• Chief Operating Officer (COO): oversees the day-to-day operations of the business and ensures that all processes are running smoothly.
• C hief Financial Officer (CFO): manages the financial aspects of the company, including budgeting, forecasting, and accounting.
• Chief Technology Officer (CTO): responsible for overseeing the technology used to support the business, including the website, mobile applications, and internal systems.
• Chief Marketing Officer (CMO): responsible for developing and executing the overall marketing strategy, including advertising, promotions, and public relations.
• Business Development Manager: responsible for identifying new opportunities and markets for the business and managing existing relationships.
• Product Manager: responsible for managing the product development process, including researching customer needs, defining product features, and overseeing the product launch.
• Legal & Compliance Officer: responsible for ensuring the business is compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.
• Human Resources Manager: responsible for managing the recruitment, training, and development of the business’s employees.

11. Financial Plan

Estimated Start-up Costs:

• Technology & Infrastructure: $20,000
• Legal Costs: $5,000
• Advertising & Promotion: $15,000
• Initial Inventory: $5,000
• Website Design & Development: $10,000
• Miscellaneous: $2,000

Total Start-up Costs: $57,000

Key Revenue & Costs

Key Revenue

• Booking Fees: $75,000
• Cleaning Fees: $25,000
• Security Deposits: $10,000
• Other Fees: $5,000

Total Revenues: $115,000

• Administrative Costs: $15,000
• Insurance: $10,000
• Technology & Infrastructure: $10,000
• Advertising & Promotion: $10,000
• Cleaning & Maintenance: $15,000
• Taxes: $10,000
• Professional Fees: $5,000

Total Key Costs: $65,000

• Revenues: $115,000
• Less: Key Costs: $65,000
• Net Profit: $50,000

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

Funding Requirements

• Start-up Costs: $57,000
• Working Capital: $15,000

Total Funding Requirements: $72,000

Use of Funds

Total Use of Funds: $72,000

Key Assumptions

High demand for short-term rentals in the market.

Growth in the sharing economy and increasing acceptance of Airbnb as a legitimate housing option.

Adequate supply of properties in the area to meet customer demand.

Ability to attract quality hosts to list their properties.

Ability to secure a competitive rate for insurance coverage.

Ability to secure favorable terms from technology vendors.

Effective use of technology to manage the Real Estate Business Plan and maximize efficiency.

12. Sources of funding for the Airbnb business plan

• Angel Investors: Angel investors are wealthy individuals or groups who provide capital to startups in exchange for equity or convertible debt.
• Venture Capitalists: Venture capitalists are firms that invest in early-stage companies in exchange for equity.
• Crowdfunding: Crowdfunding, an online me­thod of raising money from multiple individuals, serve­s as a valuable funding source for Airbnb business plans. It posse­sses the unique ability to rapidly conne­ct with numerous potential investors.
• Bank Loans: Bank loans are a great source of funding for Airbnb business plans due to their ability to provide a large amount of capital at a relatively low-interest rate.

13. Business plans for Airbnb: tricks and tips

• Research: To gain a comprehe­nsive plan, one should thoroughly rese­arch the Airbnb industry, analyze competitors, and ide­ntify target markets.
• Goals: Set clear and measurable goals that align with your mission statement.
• Strategies: Develop strategies to differentiate your Airbnb business from competitors and position it for success in the market.
• Review: Periodically review your plan to ensure that your strategies remain relevant and your goals are being achieved.
• Marketing: Create a comprehensive marketing plan that will drive traffic to your listing.
• Execution Plan: Outline your steps to launch and grow your business.
• Timeline: Set goals and a timeline to ensure that tasks are completed on time.

14. Common mistakes to avoid in the Airbnb business plan

• Not doing enough market research: Before writing your plan, make sure to understand the size and scope of the Airbnb market, your potential competitors, and the current trends in the industry.
• Not setting realistic goals: Overly ambitious goals can lead to disappointment and burnout. Make sure to set attainable goals that you can realistically reach.
• Not addressing legal issues: Make sure to research and list any relevant local regulations that could affect your business.
• Not considering customer service: Good customer service is a must for Airbnb.
• Not planning for scalability: Airbnb is a growing industry, so you need to plan for how you will accommodate growth.

15. Unlock Your Airbnb Business Potential with OGS Capital – Accelerate Your Success!

OGS Capital acknowledge­s the significance of crafting a comprehe­nsive and impactful Airbnb business plan. Our team consists of e­xperienced consultants who posse­ss the knowledge and e­xpertise require­d to tailor a business plan specifically for your Airbnb venture­.

Our team of skille­d business plan writers and consultants possesse­s extensive e­xperience in the­ Airbnb industry. Furthe­rmore, we are we­ll-versed in effe­ctive strategies for optimizing your Airbnb busine­ss, including identifying customer nee­ds, analyzing competition, devising unique marke­ting approaches, and developing a solid financial plan.

Our exte­nsive expertise­ lies in developing accurate­ financial projections. Drawing on industry data and historical trends, we can assist you in fore­casting your potential income, expe­nses, and cash flow.

When se­lecting OGS Capital, rest assured that you will collaborate­ with a team of skilled professionals. The­y will develop a comprehe­nsive and effective­ Airbnb business plan tailored specifically to your unique­ needs. Le­t us assist you in creating a plan that not only aids in achieving your objective­s but also enhances your potential for succe­ss.

Q. Is starting an Airbnb business profitable?

Yes, starting an Airbnb business can be a very profitable venture. Since the company operates on a marketplace model, no upfront costs are associated with becoming a host. Airbnb charges a percentage of each re­servation’s fee, giving hosts the­ freedom to set their desired listing price. As long as hosts deliver a high-quality experience­ for guests, there will be­ ample demand for their e­xceptional services.

Q. How much do Airbnb owners make?

The amount Airbnb owners make varies greatly depending on the location, size of the rental, and amenities offered. Some Airbnb owners may make around $500 per month while others may make thousands.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

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How to Write an Airbnb Business Plan: A 20-Step Guide

If you’re looking to start an Airbnb business, writing a business plan is a crucial step toward success. A well-crafted business plan not only helps you define your goals and objectives but also provides a roadmap for achieving them. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of writing an effective Airbnb business plan that will help you secure funding, attract guests, and grow your business.

Key Takeaways

• An effective Airbnb business plan is essential for success.
• Your executive summary should be concise and compelling.
• Your plan should include detailed information on services offered, market analysis, marketing and sales strategy, management and organization, and more.

1. Executive Summary

As you begin to craft your Airbnb business plan, the Executive Summary is the first section that potential investors or partners will read. It should provide a clear and concise overview of your business concept, model, and objectives.

Business Concept and Model

Your Airbnb business model should clearly outline how you plan to generate revenue and differentiate yourself from competitors. For example, you may focus on a specific niche, such as luxury properties or pet-friendly accommodations. Your business concept should also address how you plan to attract and retain guests, such as through targeted marketing campaigns or exceptional customer service.

Vision and Mission Statement

Your vision and mission statement should articulate your long-term goals and values. This section should be brief, but impactful, and should convey the passion and purpose behind your business. For example, your vision may be to revolutionize the hospitality industry by providing unique and unforgettable experiences for guests, while your mission may be to create a welcoming and inclusive community for hosts and guests alike.

Summary of Business Opportunities and Objectives

Finally, your Executive Summary should provide a brief overview of the opportunities and objectives for your Airbnb business. This may include a market analysis that highlights the potential demand for your services, as well as your revenue targets and growth projections. You may also include a summary of your key strategies for achieving these objectives, such as expanding your property portfolio or leveraging technology to streamline operations.

Overall, your Executive Summary should be clear, concise, and compelling, providing a snapshot of your Airbnb business that will leave investors and partners eager to learn more.

2. Services Offered

When it comes to creating an Airbnb business plan, outlining the services you will offer is crucial. This section will delve into the types of properties you will offer, additional services you will provide, and how you will enhance the guest experience.

Types of Properties

The types of properties you offer on Airbnb will depend on your niche and target market. Some popular options include:

• Entire homes/apartments
• Private rooms
• Shared rooms
• Unique accommodations such as yurts, treehouses, and tiny homes

Consider what type of properties will appeal to your target market and what you can realistically offer. Keep in mind that the more unique or luxurious the property, the higher the price point you can charge.

Additional Services

In addition to offering a place to stay, you can provide additional services to enhance the guest experience. Some options include:

• Airport pickup/drop-off
• Cleaning services
• Grocery delivery
• Local tour guides
• On-site amenities such as a pool or gym

Think about what services will set you apart from other Airbnb hosts and what your guests may find valuable.

Guest Experience Enhancement

Finally, consider how you can enhance the guest experience beyond just providing a place to stay and additional services. This can include:

• Personalized welcome gifts
• Local recommendations for restaurants and activities
• Detailed instructions for using the property’s amenities
• 24/7 customer support

By going above and beyond, you can create a memorable experience for your guests and increase the likelihood of positive reviews and repeat bookings.

Overall, the services you offer will play a significant role in the success of your Airbnb business. Be sure to carefully consider your options and tailor your offerings to your target market.

3. Market Analysis

Target Market Segmentation

To write an effective Airbnb business plan, it’s essential to identify your target market. Your target market is the group of people who are most likely to use your Airbnb services. You can segment this group based on factors such as age, gender, income, and interests. For example, your target market might be young professionals who are looking for affordable and stylish accommodation options.

Market Needs and Trends

To be successful in the Airbnb industry, you need to understand the market needs and trends. You should research what your target market is looking for in terms of accommodation and amenities. For example, many travelers are looking for unique and personalized experiences, so you might consider offering local tours or cooking classes.

Competitor Analysis

To stand out in the Airbnb industry, you need to know who your competitors are and what they are offering. Research their pricing strategies, customer reviews, and marketing tactics. By understanding your competitors, you can identify gaps in the market and offer something unique to your target market.

Market Share and Growth Potential

Finally, it’s essential to understand the market share and growth potential of the Airbnb industry. According to recent reports, the market is expected to grow by 8.5% annually, reaching a value of $170 billion by 2025. This growth presents an opportunity for new businesses to enter the market and capture a share of the growing demand for Airbnb services.

In summary, conducting a thorough market analysis is critical to writing an effective Airbnb business plan. By understanding your target market, market needs and trends, competitors, and growth potential, you can develop a strategy that will help you succeed in the highly competitive Airbnb industry.

4. Marketing and Sales Strategy

Brand Positioning

Your brand positioning should focus on what sets your Airbnb apart from others in the market. This could include unique features of your property, your location, or your hospitality skills. You should also consider your target market and tailor your branding to appeal to them. For example, if you are targeting families, your branding should emphasize family-friendly amenities and activities.

Promotion and Advertising Strategies

To promote your Airbnb, you can use a variety of channels, including social media, online travel agencies, and word-of-mouth marketing. Consider partnering with local businesses or influencers to increase your reach. You can also use paid advertising, such as Google AdWords or Facebook Ads, to target potential guests.

Pricing and Discounting Strategies

When setting your prices, consider factors such as the seasonality of your market, local events, and demand. You can also offer discounts for longer stays or for guests who book early. However, be careful not to discount too much, as this can devalue your property and lead to lower profits.

Sales and Reservation Process

Make the reservation process as easy as possible for potential guests. Ensure that your Airbnb listing is up-to-date and includes detailed information about your property and amenities. Respond promptly to inquiries and provide clear instructions for check-in and check-out. You can also use automated messaging to streamline communication with guests.

Overall, your marketing and sales strategy should focus on building a strong brand, promoting your Airbnb through various channels, setting competitive prices, and providing a seamless reservation process for guests.

5. Management and Organization

Organizational Structure

Your organizational structure should be designed to support the goals and objectives outlined in your Airbnb business plan. A common structure for a small Airbnb business is a flat organizational structure, where there are few layers of management and decision-making is decentralized. This structure allows for more flexibility and agility in responding to market changes.

Key Management Team Members and Their Roles

Your key management team members should have the necessary skills and experience to execute your business plan. Some key roles to consider include a CEO, CFO, COO, and CMO. The CEO will oversee the overall strategy and direction of the business, while the CFO will manage the financial aspects. The COO will handle day-to-day operations, and the CMO will lead marketing efforts.

Hiring and Staffing Plans

When creating your hiring and staffing plans, consider the skills and experience needed for each position. You may want to consider hiring part-time or contract workers to save costs. Additionally, consider hiring staff with experience in the hospitality industry to ensure they understand the unique needs of Airbnb guests.

To ensure you have the right team in place, consider using a hiring process that includes a combination of behavioral and situational interview questions. This will help you understand how candidates would handle real-world scenarios and how they fit with your company culture.

Overall, your management and organization section should demonstrate that you have a solid plan in place for running your Airbnb business. By focusing on a flat organizational structure, key management team members, and a thoughtful hiring and staffing plan, you can set yourself up for success.

6. Supplier Management

As an Airbnb host, managing your suppliers is an essential part of ensuring a successful business plan. In this section, we will cover the key aspects of supplier management, including partnerships, supplier selection and vetting, pricing, and contract negotiation strategies.

Partnerships

Establishing partnerships with reliable suppliers is crucial to the success of your Airbnb business. When selecting partners, consider factors such as their reputation, reliability, and quality of service. Look for suppliers who share your values and are committed to providing excellent service to your guests.

Supplier Selection and Vetting

It’s important to thoroughly vet potential suppliers before partnering with them. Conduct research and gather information about their reputation, experience, and customer feedback. Consider requesting references and conducting site visits to assess their operations firsthand. Make sure that they have the necessary licenses and certifications to operate in your area.

Pricing is a crucial aspect of supplier management. Negotiate prices that are competitive and fair while ensuring that you are still able to make a profit. Consider factors such as volume discounts, seasonal fluctuations, and market trends when negotiating prices with your suppliers.

Contract Negotiation Strategies

When negotiating contracts with your suppliers, be clear about your expectations and requirements. Ensure that the contract includes all necessary terms and conditions, such as delivery schedules, payment terms, and quality standards. Consider including clauses that protect your interests, such as termination clauses and performance guarantees.

In conclusion, effective supplier management is essential to the success of your Airbnb business. By establishing partnerships with reliable suppliers, thoroughly vetting potential partners, negotiating fair prices, and using effective contract negotiation strategies, you can build a strong and sustainable business plan.

7. Safety and Hygiene

Property Safety Protocols

Ensuring the safety of your guests is of utmost importance. You should have a clear set of protocols in place to minimize any risks to your guests. This includes providing smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors in every room. Make sure to also have clear emergency exit instructions posted in visible areas.

Cleaning and Hygiene Standards

Maintaining a high standard of cleanliness and hygiene is crucial for the health and safety of your guests. You should have a detailed cleaning checklist that covers all areas of your property, including high-touch surfaces like doorknobs and light switches. Use cleaning products that are effective against viruses and bacteria, and make sure to change linens and towels between guests.

Home Safety Equipment

Aside from the basic safety equipment mentioned earlier, you should also consider investing in additional safety equipment such as a first aid kit, flashlights, and a fire escape ladder. These items can provide an extra layer of protection and peace of mind for your guests.

Trust and Safety Measures

As an Airbnb host, you have access to a variety of trust and safety measures provided by the platform. These include guest verification, security deposits, and insurance coverage. Make sure to take advantage of these features to protect yourself and your guests.

In summary, prioritizing safety and hygiene is essential for the success of your Airbnb business. By implementing clear protocols, maintaining high cleaning standards, providing necessary safety equipment, and utilizing trust and safety measures, you can create a safe and comfortable environment for your guests.

8. Financial Plan

Revenue Projections

To create revenue projections for your Airbnb business plan, you should consider the following factors:

• The number of rooms you plan to rent out
• The average nightly rate you will charge
• The occupancy rate you expect to achieve
• The seasonality of your location

Based on these factors, you can estimate your monthly and annual revenue. Be realistic and conservative in your estimates.

Cost Breakdown

Your Airbnb business plan should include a detailed cost breakdown. This should include the following expenses:

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Cleaning and maintenance costs
• Marketing and advertising expenses
• Taxes and fees

You should also consider any additional costs specific to your location or property.

Break-Even Analysis

A break-even analysis will help you determine the number of bookings you need to cover your costs. To perform a break-even analysis, you should consider your fixed costs (such as rent and utilities) and your variable costs (such as cleaning and maintenance).

Profit and Loss Forecast

Your profit and loss forecast will help you determine your expected profitability. This should include your revenue projections, cost breakdown, and break-even analysis. Based on these factors, you can estimate your monthly and annual profits.

Remember to be realistic in your projections and consider potential challenges or obstacles that may impact your financial plan.

9. Funding Request

As you begin to put together your Airbnb business plan, it’s important to consider the funding you will need to get your business off the ground. This section will outline the key elements of your funding request.

Amount Requested

The first step in your funding request is determining how much money you need to get started. This will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your property, the level of renovations or upgrades you plan to make, and your marketing budget.

Be sure to do your research and come up with a realistic estimate of the funds you will need. It’s always better to ask for a little more than you think you’ll need, as unexpected expenses can arise.

Purpose of Funding

In this section, you’ll want to clearly outline the purpose of the funding you are requesting. This might include things like:

• Renovations or upgrades to the property
• Hiring staff or contractors
• Purchasing furniture, linens, and other supplies

By clearly outlining your funding needs, you’ll be able to make a more compelling case to potential investors or lenders.

Terms and Conditions

Finally, you’ll want to outline the terms and conditions of your funding request. This might include things like:

• The amount of equity you are willing to give up in exchange for funding
• The interest rate and repayment terms for any loans
• Any other conditions or requirements you have for potential investors or lenders

Be sure to consult with a lawyer or financial advisor to ensure that your terms and conditions are fair and reasonable.

Overall, by carefully considering your funding needs and presenting a clear and compelling case to potential investors or lenders, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful Airbnb business.

10. SWOT Analysis

Your Airbnb business plan should start with a SWOT analysis. Begin by identifying the strengths of your business. What advantages do you have over your competitors? What unique features or services do you offer that set you apart? Consider the following:

• Strong brand recognition
• High customer satisfaction ratings
• Unique and desirable property locations
• Competitive pricing
• Efficient booking and payment system

Identifying weaknesses is just as important as identifying strengths. Be honest with yourself and identify areas where your business may be lacking. Consider the following:

• Limited property selection
• Lack of diversity in property types
• Inconsistent property maintenance
• Inadequate customer service
• Limited marketing budget

Opportunities

Opportunities are external factors that can benefit your business. Look for trends and changes in the market that you can take advantage of. Consider the following:

• Growing demand for short-term rentals
• Increasing popularity of vacation rentals
• Expansion into new markets
• Partnership opportunities with local businesses
• Potential to offer additional services, such as transportation or tours

Threats are external factors that can negatively impact your business. Identify potential threats and develop strategies to mitigate them. Consider the following:

• Intense competition from other short-term rental platforms
• Changes in local regulations or laws
• Economic downturns
• Natural disasters or other unforeseen events
• Negative reviews or publicity

Remember to regularly revisit your SWOT analysis and make updates as necessary. By understanding your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, you can develop a more effective Airbnb business plan.

11. Legal Structure and Compliance

Business Legal Structure

When starting an Airbnb business, it is important to determine the legal structure of your business. The most common legal structures for small businesses are sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation. Each structure has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your needs.

As an Airbnb host, you are considered a small business owner and may need to register your business with your state or local government. It is important to research the requirements in your area to ensure that you are in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Licensing and Permits

Depending on your location, you may need to obtain licenses and permits to operate an Airbnb business. These can include a business license, zoning permit, and transient occupancy tax permit. Some cities also require hosts to obtain a short-term rental permit.

It is important to research the requirements in your area and obtain all necessary licenses and permits before starting your Airbnb business. Failure to do so can result in fines and legal issues.

Regulatory Engagement

Airbnb is subject to a variety of regulations and laws, including zoning laws, building codes, and tax laws. As an Airbnb host, it is important to stay up-to-date on these regulations and comply with all applicable laws.

In some cases, cities may require hosts to register their properties with the local government or obtain a permit to operate a short-term rental. It is important to research the regulations in your area and comply with all requirements.

Overall, it is important to ensure that your Airbnb business is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Failure to do so can result in legal issues and fines. By choosing the right legal structure, obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, and staying up-to-date on regulations, you can operate your Airbnb business with confidence.

Always consult a legal professional.

12. Customer Engagement and Retention

Guest Onboarding Process

To create a successful Airbnb business plan, one of the most crucial elements is to ensure that your guests are onboarded smoothly. The onboarding process should be easy and straightforward, and you should provide your guests with all the necessary information they need to have a comfortable stay.

Some things you can do to make the onboarding process smoother include:

• Providing clear and detailed instructions on how to access the property
• Offering a tour of the property and its amenities
• Providing guests with a welcome kit that includes important information about the property and the surrounding area

Loyalty and Rewards Programs

To retain your guests and encourage them to return, you can create a loyalty and rewards program. This can include offering discounts for repeat bookings, providing special amenities or services for loyal guests, or creating a points-based system that rewards guests for their loyalty.

Communication and Feedback Channels

To ensure that your guests have a positive experience, it’s important to have open communication channels with them. This can include providing multiple ways for guests to get in touch with you, such as email, phone, or messaging apps. Additionally, you should encourage guests to provide feedback on their experience, so you can make improvements and address any issues that arise.

Reputation Management

Your reputation is everything in the Airbnb business, so it’s important to manage it carefully. This can include monitoring reviews and responding to feedback promptly and professionally. You should also take steps to address any negative reviews or complaints, and work to improve your property and services based on guest feedback.

By focusing on customer engagement and retention, you can create a successful Airbnb business plan that will attract and retain loyal guests. By providing a smooth onboarding process, offering rewards and loyalty programs, maintaining open communication channels, and managing your reputation carefully, you can ensure that your guests have a positive experience and keep coming back to your property.

13. Host Engagement and Training

As an Airbnb host, your success depends on how well you engage with your guests. Engaging with your guests not only helps you to build a good reputation but also helps you to get more bookings. In this section, we will discuss some strategies to engage with your guests and how to train your hosts to do the same.

Strategies to Recruit New Hosts

Recruiting new hosts is a crucial part of growing your Airbnb business. Here are some strategies you can use to recruit new hosts:

• Use social media to promote your business and attract new hosts.
• Attend local events and meetups to network with potential hosts.
• Offer referral bonuses to your existing hosts for bringing in new hosts.
• Partner with local businesses to offer discounts and promotions to their customers.

Training and Resources for Hosts

Training your hosts is essential to ensure that they provide the best possible experience to your guests. Here are some training and resources you can provide to your hosts:

• Provide a comprehensive guidebook that covers everything from check-in procedures to local recommendations.
• Offer online training modules that cover topics such as guest communication and property management.
• Host regular webinars and workshops to keep your hosts up-to-date with the latest industry trends.

Guidelines for Photo Uploads and Property Descriptions

Photos and property descriptions are the first things that potential guests see when browsing your listings. Here are some guidelines you can provide to your hosts to ensure that their listings stand out:

• Use high-quality photos that showcase the best features of the property.
• Write detailed property descriptions that highlight the unique aspects of the property.
• Include information about the neighborhood, local attractions, and transportation options.

By following these strategies and providing your hosts with the right training and resources, you can build a successful Airbnb business that provides a great experience for your guests.

14. Sustainability and Social Responsibility

Environmental Initiatives

As an Airbnb host, you have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment. Consider implementing the following initiatives in your business plan:

• Use eco-friendly cleaning products to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals released into the environment
• Encourage guests to recycle by providing clear instructions and labeled bins
• Install low-flow showerheads and toilets to reduce water usage
• Use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances to reduce electricity usage
• Consider using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, to power your property

Community Engagement and Responsibility

Being a responsible Airbnb host means taking an active role in your local community. Here are some ways to engage with your community and give back:

• Partner with local businesses to offer discounts or promotions to your guests
• Support local charities or non-profit organizations by donating a portion of your profits or volunteering your time
• Encourage guests to explore the local area and support small businesses
• Be a good neighbor by respecting noise ordinances and keeping your property clean and well-maintained

Remember, as an Airbnb host, you have the power to make a positive impact on both the environment and your community. Incorporating sustainability and social responsibility into your business plan can help attract guests who value these initiatives and make a difference in the world.

15. Growth Strategy

As you develop your Airbnb business plan, it’s important to consider your growth strategy. How will you expand your business and reach new customers? Here are a few key areas to focus on:

Expansion Plans

One of the most obvious ways to grow your Airbnb business is to expand into new markets. This could mean targeting new geographic regions, such as different cities or countries. It could also mean expanding into new niches, such as luxury vacation rentals or budget-friendly accommodations.

To successfully expand your business, you’ll need to conduct thorough market research to identify opportunities and potential challenges. You’ll also need to develop a solid marketing plan to attract new customers and build brand awareness.

Technology Advancements

Technology is a key driver of growth in the Airbnb industry. By leveraging the latest tools and platforms, you can streamline your operations, improve the guest experience, and attract new customers.

Consider investing in technologies such as:

• Property management software to help you manage your listings and reservations
• Smart home devices to improve the guest experience and enhance security
• Virtual reality and augmented reality tools to showcase your properties to potential customers

Partnerships and Alliances

Partnering with other businesses can be a powerful way to drive growth for your Airbnb business. By collaborating with complementary companies, you can tap into new customer segments and expand your reach.

Look for opportunities to partner with:

• Travel agencies and tour operators
• Destination marketing organizations
• Local businesses, such as restaurants and attractions

By working together, you can create mutually beneficial relationships that help you both grow your businesses.

Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to growth strategy for Airbnb businesses. Consider your unique strengths and challenges, and develop a plan that’s tailored to your specific needs and goals.

16. Risk Management

Potential Risks and Mitigation Strategies

When it comes to running an Airbnb business, there are a number of potential risks that you need to be aware of. These can include:

• Damage to your property
• Injury to guests
• Theft or damage to your belongings
• Cancellation of bookings
• Negative reviews

To mitigate these risks, you should consider taking the following steps:

• Conduct thorough guest screening before accepting bookings
• Set clear expectations for guests in your house rules
• Provide clear instructions for how to use appliances and other amenities
• Conduct regular maintenance and safety checks
• Purchase insurance to cover potential damages and liabilities

Emergency Protocols

In the event of an emergency, it’s important to have clear protocols in place to ensure the safety of your guests and your property. You should consider the following:

• Have a first aid kit readily available
• Provide clear instructions for what to do in the event of a fire or other emergency
• Have an emergency contact list readily available for guests
• Ensure that all smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are in working order

Having the right insurance coverage is essential for protecting your Airbnb business. You should consider the following types of insurance:

• Liability insurance to cover potential damages or injuries
• Property insurance to cover damage to your property
• Business interruption insurance to cover lost income in the event of a disaster or other interruption

Backup Plans

Even with the best planning and preparation, unexpected events can still occur. To ensure that your Airbnb business can continue to operate in the event of a disruption, you should consider the following:

• Have a plan in place for handling cancellations or unexpected vacancies
• Have a backup plan for managing your property in the event that you are unable to do so
• Keep a reserve fund to cover unexpected expenses or lost income

17. Feedback and Continuous Improvement

As an Airbnb host, it’s important to continuously improve your business to provide the best possible experience for your guests. Feedback is a vital tool for learning what you’re doing well and what areas need improvement.

Guest Review Mechanisms

One of the most important sources of feedback is guest reviews. Encourage your guests to leave a review after their stay by sending a follow-up message thanking them for their stay and kindly asking them to leave a review. Respond to all reviews, positive or negative, to show that you are listening and care about your guests’ experiences.

Another way to get feedback is to ask your guests directly. Consider leaving a comment card or sending a survey after their stay to gather more detailed feedback.

Process Improvement Strategies

Once you have feedback, it’s important to use it to improve your business processes. Look for patterns in guest feedback and identify areas for improvement. For example, if multiple guests mention that the check-in process was confusing, consider creating a more detailed check-in guide or providing a video tutorial.

Regularly review and update your business plan to reflect changes and improvements. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you are meeting your goals.

Performance Metrics

Tracking performance metrics can also help you identify areas for improvement. Consider tracking metrics such as occupancy rate, guest satisfaction rate, and revenue per available room. Use this data to identify trends and make data-driven decisions about how to improve your business.

In conclusion, feedback and continuous improvement are crucial for running a successful Airbnb business. Use guest reviews, process improvement strategies, and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions about how to improve your business.

18. Contingency Plan

As with any business, it’s important to have a contingency plan in place for unforeseen challenges that may arise. In the case of an Airbnb business, this is especially important as your income is dependent on the success of your rental property. Here are some action steps you can take to prepare for potential challenges:

Action Steps for Unforeseen Challenges

• Identify potential challenges: Take some time to brainstorm potential challenges that may arise, such as a natural disaster, a sudden drop in tourism, or changes in local regulations.
• Develop a plan: For each potential challenge, develop a plan of action that outlines the steps you will take to address the issue. This may include finding alternative sources of income, adjusting your pricing strategy, or reaching out to local officials to advocate for your business.
• Communicate with guests: In the event of a challenge, it’s important to keep your guests informed and updated on any changes or disruptions to their stay. This will help to build trust and maintain positive relationships with your guests.

Backup Suppliers and Partners

In addition to preparing for unforeseen challenges, it’s also important to have backup suppliers and partners in place in case of emergencies. This may include:

• Backup cleaning services: In the event that your regular cleaning service is unavailable, it’s important to have a backup option in place to ensure that your property remains clean and safe for guests.
• Backup maintenance services: Similarly, it’s important to have a backup option for maintenance services in case of emergencies such as a broken hot water heater or air conditioning unit.
• Backup booking platforms: While Airbnb is the most popular booking platform for short-term rentals, it’s always a good idea to have backup options in place in case of any issues with the platform.

Emergency Fund Allocation

Finally, it’s important to have an emergency fund in place to cover unexpected expenses that may arise. This may include:

• Property repairs: In the event of damage to your property, having an emergency fund in place can help cover the costs of repairs or replacements.
• Loss of income: If a challenge arises that results in a loss of income, having an emergency fund can help cover your expenses until you are able to recover financially.

By taking these steps to prepare for potential challenges, you can help ensure the long-term success of your Airbnb business.

19. Exit Strategy

As with any business plan, it’s important to have a clear exit strategy in place. This will help you plan for the future and ensure that you’re prepared for any eventuality. In this section, we’ll discuss the potential exit channels, timeline and conditions, and valuation methods that you should consider when developing your Airbnb business plan.

Potential Exit Channels

There are several potential exit channels that you may want to consider when developing your Airbnb business plan. These include:

• Acquisition: You may be able to sell your Airbnb business to another company or investor.
• IPO: If your Airbnb business is successful, you may want to consider taking it public through an initial public offering (IPO).
• Merger: You may be able to merge your Airbnb business with another company to create a larger, more successful business.
• Liquidation: If your Airbnb business is not successful, you may need to liquidate your assets and close the business.

Timeline and Conditions

When developing your exit strategy, it’s important to consider the timeline and conditions that will be necessary for a successful exit. This may include:

• Timeframe: Determine the timeframe in which you hope to exit your Airbnb business.
• Milestones: Identify key milestones that you need to achieve before you can exit your business.
• Conditions: Determine the conditions that must be met for a successful exit, such as reaching a certain revenue target or securing a certain number of bookings.

Valuation Methods

Valuing your Airbnb business is an important part of developing your exit strategy. There are several valuation methods that you may want to consider, including:

• Income approach: This method involves valuing your Airbnb business based on its projected future income.
• Market approach: This method involves valuing your Airbnb business based on the value of similar businesses in the market.
• Asset approach: This method involves valuing your Airbnb business based on the value of its assets, such as property and equipment.

By considering these potential exit channels, timeline and conditions, and valuation methods, you can develop a clear and effective exit strategy for your Airbnb business.

20. Appendices

Detailed Financial Tables

Your Airbnb business plan should include detailed financial tables to support your projections and assumptions. These tables should include your projected income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement for at least the next three years. You should also include a break-even analysis, which will help you determine the minimum amount of revenue you need to generate to cover your expenses.

Market Research Data

Market research data is essential to your Airbnb business plan. You should include data on the size of the market, your target market, and your competitors. This data should include information on occupancy rates, average daily rates, and revenue per available room. You should also include information on the local tourism industry, such as the number of visitors to the area and the average length of their stay.

Relevant Legal Documents

Your Airbnb business plan should include all relevant legal documents, such as your business license, insurance policies, and any contracts or agreements you have with suppliers or partners. You should also include any permits or licenses required to operate your Airbnb, such as a short-term rental permit or a zoning permit.

In summary, the appendices section of your Airbnb business plan is where you will include detailed financial tables, market research data, and relevant legal documents. This section will help support your projections and assumptions and provide valuable information to potential investors or lenders.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key components of a successful short-term rental business plan?

A successful short-term rental business plan should include a clear statement of your business goals and objectives, a detailed analysis of your target market, a marketing strategy to attract guests, a financial plan, and an operational plan.

How do I create a one-page business plan for my Airbnb?

To create a one-page business plan for your Airbnb, you should start by identifying your business goals and objectives. Then, you should analyze your target market and develop a marketing strategy to attract guests. You should also create a financial plan that includes your revenue sources, costs, and profit margins. Finally, you should develop an operational plan that outlines your processes and procedures for managing your Airbnb.

What are some tips for writing an effective Airbnb proposal to a landlord?

To write an effective Airbnb proposal to a landlord, you should highlight the benefits of short-term rentals for landlords, such as increased income, reduced vacancy rates, and lower maintenance costs. You should also provide details about your business plan, including your marketing strategy, financial plan, and operational plan. Additionally, you should address any concerns the landlord may have, such as noise levels, security, and insurance.

Can you provide examples of successful Airbnb business plans?

There are many successful Airbnb business plans available online. You can find examples by searching for “Airbnb business plan” or “short-term rental business plan” on Google.

What is the Airbnb business model and how does it work?

The Airbnb business model is a peer-to-peer online marketplace that connects travelers with local hosts who are willing to rent out their homes or apartments for short-term stays. Hosts create listings for their properties on the Airbnb website, and travelers can search for and book these listings based on their preferences and budget. Airbnb charges a commission on each booking, and provides support and tools for hosts to manage their properties.

Is it necessary to have a formal business plan for an Airbnb rental?

While it is not strictly necessary to have a formal business plan for an Airbnb rental, having a clear plan can help you stay focused on your goals and objectives, and can also help you secure financing or partnerships. A well-written business plan can also help you communicate your vision and strategy to potential investors or partners.

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How to Write an Airbnb Business Plan + Free Template

The pandemic has upended our perception of remote work. More professionals than ever before are spending time working from home and even working while traveling. This creates a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to start an Airbnb. 

Before you jump into starting your own vacation rental business, you’ll need a business plan. This article will cover the steps to create your Airbnb business plan, along with some tips to run it successfully. 

Need more guidance? Download our free Airbnb business plan pdf for a full business plan outline that you can use to jumpstart your own plan.

How to write an Airbnb business plan

Starting an Airbnb business plan might seem daunting, but keeping it light is the trick. You don’t need a plan that is hundreds of pages long. Instead, start with a one-page plan that you can update as your short-term rental property business grows. 

Noting key factors surrounding your business like the market, financials, and more will help you in the planning process—and keeping things brief and viable will help you better manage your new Airbnb business.

Here is what to include when writing your Airbnb business plan.

1. Why are you starting your Airbnb business?

What motivates you to start a vacation rental? Are you passionate about travel and cultivating a rich and inviting experience for others? Do you just have a nice spare room you’re looking to rent out? Looking to take your first step into full-fledged property management?

Whatever the reason, make note of why this business matters to you and wrap in your value proposition (how you promise to deliver value to others out of this business). What is it about the property or surrounding area that sets you apart? 

The entrepreneur inside of you might see this new shift to work-from-home as an opportunity to create an enticing oasis for professionals. Maybe there are several large events or seasonal sports in your area and you see this as an opportunity to provide a rental space for visitors. Or perhaps you find yourself wanting to travel for extended periods of time and would like to recoup some of your expenses by renting out your house.

You don’t need all the details right away, but you should have an idea of your value. It will point you in the right direction with actual research. Remember, passion will help fuel your Airbnb— strategic planning will ensure progress and growth. 

2. Research the market

The research phase should not be skipped. You need to know what the competition looks like and how you can position your rental within the current real estate market. While there are plenty of ways to take this on, we recommend you focus on the following:

When planning your home rental business, consider your location and the demographics in the area. 

• What type of people does the area attract? 
• How will that influence the type of Airbnb experience you create? 
• Does the nature surrounding your location draw in adventure-seekers and families looking for a remote getaway? 
• Are the bustling streets by your rental space calling the names of young travelers looking to explore the big city? 

Understanding what you and your location can offer is the first step in identifying who will want to stay at your Airbnb. Or in other words, who your ideal customer will be.

With research in hand, it’s time to get to know your target customers and understand what attracts them. The type of people in the market will determine what amenities you should provide such as free parking, Wifi, air conditioning and heating, a washer and dryer, etc. Remember, you need to consider people living in the area along with those that are traveling to your market.

Accessibility and amenities

Beyond the basics, it’s important to think of the accessibility of your location and what you can do to optimize it– are there ramp options as well as staircases? Can you install grab-bars in restrooms, avoid cluttering spaces for better wheelchair accessibility, etc.? 

With the increase in people working remotely, you should also consider how work-friendly your Airbnb stay is. Is there a laptop-friendly station, a strong Wifi connection, good lighting for video calls, etc.? For travelers with kids, are there coloring books, games, and other fun activities or items to keep them entertained? 

Thinking about the different kinds of people staying in your area and what accommodations they might like to see will really help your Airbnb business stand out from the others in your area. 

Research competitors

When researching the market, you need to explore your competitors. This can be other Airbnb listings, hotels, motels, month-to-month leases, etc. What do these competitors offer that your stay might not, and what can you offer travelers that the other locations might not be able to? 

When considering competitors, you should broadly identify the number of customers in the market at large. From there, refine that into the segment of customers you are choosing to focus on (and who you believe you could reasonably book). You will need to also consider the amount of available time in the year you would like your rental space to be available. In many ways, that will ultimately dictate how many customers you can realistically service.

Get feedback

Still unsure how to best accommodate your guests? Consider having a family member or friend stay in your Airbnb for a night or two and give their honest review. They may provide a fresh perspective and give you some pointers on how to elevate your Airbnb business from a good stay to a great experience!

3. Promotional strategies

A big part of finding success with your Airbnb is how well you advertise it.

When promoting your Airbnb business, you should outline your sales channels and marketing activities that will attract customers to book with you. Consider how you will position the property—what are the benefits, little perks, and specialties of your stay that you’ll showcase? Highlight what is worth visiting in your area, and really illustrate the unique kind of stay that your customers will have. 

You can also consider partnering with local businesses to elevate your customers’ experience. Think about incorporating towels and blankets from a local boutique, a few fresh fruits from the farmer’s market, or discounts from a local restaurant or museum. 

Remember to think like a guest—keep things simple, intuitive, and friendly. Utilize features like automated booking or reminder apps, timed locks with personalized codes, and more to help make the experience easy, comfortable, and memorable.

4. Financials and pricing

When setting up your Airbnb, you should expect some upfront costs to get your stay ready for guests. To start, you will need to consider a fresh coat of paint, furniture, lighting, internet, air conditioning, appliances, decor, etc. 

From there, consider what ongoing expenses will look like. How much do you expect to spend on cleaning, maintenance, Wifi, towels, and other amenities? Bucket these items in categories to keep track of. 

You should also review what your revenue streams will be. Consider the difference in revenue from short-term vs long-term rentals. Will you charge more for special occasions or attractions, or will you create promotional bundles surrounding certain events? 

With these things in mind, you have the start of your sales, expense, and cash flow forecasts. These provide an idea of how you’ll need to price things in order to be profitable and tell you whether or not your business is viable.

5. Looking ahead

It’s important to set milestones for the next year of your business. These can be related to revenue, total bookings, additions to your home, easing your stay with automation, or anything else that makes your Airbnb business successful.

You should also outline who will be involved (or who you may want to partner with in the future). If it’s just you, add yourself and call it a day. Milestones are important because they tell you if you are on track to build a successful business. If you are not reaching your milestones, then it is time to revisit them and potentially revise them. 

Tips to run a successful Airbnb business

Writing your business plan is only the first step in setting up your vacation rental. There are many other important aspects to the business process that will help you grow and succeed. Below are a few tips to help raise awareness, simplify processes, and better your vacation rental business.

Host on multiple services

With the increased popularity of Airbnb, prices and demand have also been largely on the rise. This can cause customers to look across different booking platforms to find their desired rental space. That’s why hosting your stay on multiple services will allow your rental space to reach a broader range of potential customers. 

Sites like Vrbo, Booking.com, The Plum Guide, Agoda Homes, Homestay, and Sonder are just a few examples of Airbnb alternatives. Hosting on multiple services ensures that you are not solely attaching your business to a single platform. This provides you with multiple options, when a platform increases its fees, makes poor updates, or even goes under–potentially sinking your business in the process.

Automate scheduling and security

There are several factors to keeping an Airbnb business running that can now be scheduled through apps and other technology. Things like responding to messages from guests, adjusting pricing and calendar booking, writing guest reviews, scheduling cleanings, and other daily tasks can be automated as an Airbnb host. 

You may also consider utilizing technology like smart locks which allow your guests to check in and out of their Airbnb on their own. This contact-free check-in allows for guests to enter their space with ease upon arrival, and gives you the extra freedom of not having to track them down to hand over a key. 

You will want to include this investment in your startup costs and forecasts. This will help you determine how much to invest in, weigh what scheduling and security tools are important, and tie other investments in your business to specific milestones or revenue totals. 

Encourage feedback and reviews

It’s important to be present with your guests (even just virtually) and remind them that you are there if they need anything while also respecting their privacy throughout the duration of their stay. Don’t be afraid to ask for feedback and honest reviews from your guests during and after their stay. 

This can be as simple as sending a quick questionnaire virtually or leaving a little notepad and pen in the Airbnb rental for them to handwrite themselves. Receiving honest feedback and reviews will help you learn as you go and ultimately create the best possible Airbnb experience for your guests.

Quick responses 

Lastly, it’s important to always respond to your guests’ questions in a timely manner. In order to keep your guests comfortable and satisfied, you should stay on top of your messaging with them. 

Set notifications on your phone or device and always be ready to answer questions or potential problems your guests may run into. The quicker you can respond to your guests, the more satisfied they will be with the experience that you offer.

Download your free Airbnb business plan template

If you’re ready to start your own Airbnb business, you can download our free Airbnb business plan template from our library of over 500 sample business plans. Get started today, and see first-hand why businesses that plan grow 30% faster than those that don’t.

Read the full article here

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Airbnb Business Plan: Get Started in 8 Simple Steps

July 26, 2023

The thought of launching an Airbnb business is exciting—it allows you to be your own boss, set your own goals, and grow at your own pace. But there’s been recent debate that Airbnb bookings are seeing a downturn, which, alongside increased mortgage rates, may have you nervous about getting started in the current vacation rental market .

However, with the right business model, you can enjoy a low cost of entry into the short-term rental industry, along with excellent potential for scaling.

In this article, we discuss the eight essential steps to creating an Airbnb business plan and outline the three common mistakes you need to avoid when getting started. 

We spoke with Adam Knight, a hospitality industry veteran and co-founder and CEO of Recreation Vacation Rentals, to get his expert insights on what you need to prioritize when creating your business plan.

Step-by-step guide to creating an Airbnb business plan 

If you’ve decided that a vacation rental management business is right for you, your first task should be to create a business plan. 

“A business plan is going to help you get very focused and disciplined on why you exist and why your consumer should care,” says Adam Knight of Recreation Vacation Rentals . “I think it keeps you disciplined. It also helps you figure out your ‘why’ and what your value proposition is, which you need to determine when you're launching a short-term rental business.”

Follow these eight steps to create a successful business plan and start your Airbnb venture off on the right foot.

Step 1: Define your business model

The first thing you need to do is decide how you’re going to operate. There are three main models you can follow: 

• Homeowner renting: This is when you already own a property and want to rent it out or decide to invest in a property specifically for vacation rental purposes. 
• Rental arbitrage: Arbitrage involves renting a property to use it for your short-term rental (STR) business (it’s important to check with your landlord to ensure subleasing is permitted in your contract).
• STR property management as a service: This is typically the most scalable business model, where you manage other people’s properties and collect a service fee and/or commission. Also, having started with their own vacation home, it’s the model most managers follow—which is why it’s the approach we’ll focus on in this article.

A number of factors influence which of these business models is right for you—for example, you may already have several properties you can rent as Airbnb homes.

But managing other people’s properties is often the easiest way to start, as it requires the smallest initial investment and offers the greatest potential for business scaling.

Step 2: Conduct legal and market research

Once you decide which model is right for you, it’s essential to look into both regulations and demand in the area you want to operate in. Short-term rental regulations vary from city to city: For example, “un-hosted rentals” (where a primary resident doesn’t live on the property) are prohibited in Santa Monica, California unless they’re rented out for over a month. 

So do your research to ensure Airbnb rentals are permitted in your area, and if there are restrictions, that they won’t present too much of a barrier for you to successfully operate. Next, you need to conduct market research and competitive analysis to measure the demand and existing competition in your area. 

You can use tools like Mashvisor and AirDNA to analyze market potential. While these tools are especially helpful for Airbnb hosts who purchase their own properties, you can use them even if you plan on launching vacation rental management services. They’ll give you insights into factors like existing competition in the area, nightly rates, and average occupancy. 

Before deciding where you want to operate, do your research to ensure there’s a demand for vacation rentals in that area. 

Step 3: Identify your target market

Adam emphasizes the importance of going after a target guest rather than trying to “be all things to all people.”  

“You have to know who you’re going after,” he says. “Do you have a quiet two-bedroom home near parks and family restaurants? A property like that is better suited for families than young traveling professionals.”

So pick the market you want to go after and design your offering accordingly. For example, you may want to attract digital nomads, in which case you should provide a designated workspace in your home, advertise high-speed WiFi, and offer the possibility of last-minute bookings and extended stays. 

Or if you’re interested in tapping into the luxury traveler market, analyze the competition to find ways you can differentiate your offering. You’ll have to offer luxury amenities and invest in the right decor to attract high-paying guests. 

There’s no right or wrong answer here: The important thing is to pick a target market that makes sense for your Airbnb properties and tailor your offering to this type of guest. You also need to strategically tailor your brand and marketing efforts to attract the type of traveler your property is designed for.

Step 4: Define your goals and milestones 

Defining goals will help guide all your business decisions. That’s why you should start by writing a mission statement. 

Not only will a mission statement serve as guidance when launching your business, but it will also help you pitch to investors if you’re purchasing a property, or homeowners if you offer property management services. 

For example, here’s the mission statement for Recreation Vacation Rentals: “A tech-focused hospitality brand providing outstanding experiences.” They also have a vision statement on their website: “Redefine the vacation rental experience with the best practices and principles of luxury hospitality.”

In addition to your mission statement, outline your company’s values, goals, and objectives in your business plan. So set a variety of objectives, ranging from financial targets to guest experience goals. Some examples include: 

• Average review rating
• Percentage of repeat bookings
• Occupancy rate
• ADR (average daily rate)
• RevPAR (revenue per available room)
• Staff-to-unit ratio
• YOY (year-over-year) portfolio growth

This is a great place to start, but be aware that you may want to revisit your mission statement and goals as you get further along in the process of building out your business plan. 

Recreation Vacation Rentals takes things a step further with their owner guarantee, speaking to their high standards of quality.

Step 5: Map out your tech stack

Adam has straightforward advice when it comes to creating a tech stack for your vacation rental business: “It’s going to make your life a lot easier, right out of the gate.” 

He says, “If you have any desire to scale, you're quickly going to find that you need to be more sophisticated in how you deploy your tools. That will free up your time so that you can work on your business rather than in your business.”

When you use the right tools together, you can automate key aspects of your processes that would otherwise eat up a large portion of your day, like cleaning calendar scheduling and guest messaging. This is essential if you want to make your business a sustainable and scalable operation. 

Here are the tools Adam recommends for automation: 

• Property management system (PMS): A PMS is your all-in-one hub for managing booking calendars, centralizing guest communication, and processing payments. You should look for a PMS with a built-in channel manager, which will be crucial as you scale your Airbnb business and begin to list across various online travel agencies (OTAs). 
• Guest communications solution: You can streamline your guest messaging with a tool that provides a unified inbox and that easily integrates with your team messaging. As well as these features, Breezeway lets you automate messages from templates, send out bulk messages, and create digital welcome books to make guests more independent. 
• Cleaning operations platform: A property care platform like Breezeway automates key housekeeping processes including turnover and maintenance scheduling , recurring tasks, and quality assurance checklists . Adam highlights this tool needs to go two ways, sending information to your cleaners and feeding back status updates to you and your team: “There's no point in having an automated system that says that something has to get done, but then you never know if it actually gets done.”
• Dynamic pricing tool: Having a platform that automates your daily rates can save you hours per week while maximizing bookings and revenue. But Adam warns that these tools aren’t a “set it and forget it” solution for optimizing your pricing strategy. “Dynamic pricing tools require more of a human touch, like weekly intervention, to make the most of them.” 

Breezeway lets you view all your reservations and scheduled tasks in one place. 

Step 6: Create a marketing strategy

Drawing in guests is about more than just writing a stand-out listing and having the best Airbnb guidebook . When creating a marketing plan for your business, you want to focus on the following strategies: 

• Multi-channel distribution: While Airbnb is a good place to start, you’ll want to expand across various OTAs to maximize revenue and fill in your booking calendar. To do so, you’ll need to use a channel manager that houses all your reservations in one place and prevents double bookings. 
• Direct booking strategies: OTAs play a crucial role in you achieving high occupancy rates, but it’s important to reduce commissions with direct bookings, too. To do this, you can create a direct booking website—you can also implement an email marketing strategy to bring in bookings from repeat guests and referrals. 
• Social media: Nowadays, a successful Airbnb business needs a social media presence. This is a way to establish a recognizable brand, build trust with potential guests, and bring in more direct bookings. The channels you focus on will vary depending on your target guests (for example, if you’re looking to attract young remote workers, Instagram and TikTok are the ticket). 
• Rankings and reviews: Your OTA rankings can make or break your business (you need a 4.8 minimum rating to become an Airbnb Superhost), and great reviews get you more guests. So use your guest communication tool to automate review requests, and to ensure you can quickly resolve any issues during their stay. 

Step 7: Outline budgeting requirements

You may need some funds for your startup costs, whether that comes from savings or third-party investors. Be sure to factor in costs related to: 

• Building your tech stack
• Running your turnover and maintenance operations
• Stocking cleaning supplies and guest amenities 
• Covering unexpected expenses (such as repairs)

This amount should cover your costs until you can begin using your cash flow to pay for operating expenses. If you can’t meet this budget yourself, calculate a figure that covers a few months of operations so you know exactly how much you need to ask for from investors, including a contingency fee of 10-20%.

Step 8: Establish your USP and create an executive summary

The final step of creating a vacation rental business plan is establishing what makes you unique. Your USP (unique selling point) is what sets you apart from the competition. 

Adam points out that “the way buying habits seem to be going is that guests are leaning more into properties that are unique, either in terms of location, the amenities that are provided, design and decor, or a combination of those things.”

Your unique selling point helps you attract your ideal guest and stand out from your competitors in an increasingly crowded short-term rental market. Additionally, it helps you communicate what makes your short-term rental properties different from the rest, whether that’s through your listings or on your social media channels. 

So whether your USP is to provide an exceptionally comfortable experience to business travelers or help families create lasting memories, it should be at the center of your brand identity and messaging. 

Outline your USP in your executive summary, which provides a brief overview of your business plan. This summary will go at the beginning of your business plan, but we recommend leaving it as your last task, as it will be easier to write once the rest of your business plan is in place. 

In your executive summary, discuss your business objectives and how you plan to achieve them. You’ll want to include a small section on each part of your business plan, from your target market to your tech stack. This is also a good time to revisit your mission statement to make sure it properly reflects the goals and purpose of your business. 

This host has narrowed down on a very specific USP—what they may lack in demand they make up in ADR. 

Airbnb business plan: The common pitfalls to avoid

While it’s essential to follow the right steps when making your Airbnb business plan, you also need to know what mistakes to look out for. Here are the three most common errors people make when launching their vacation rental business. 

Not knowing who your ideal guest is

Adam says the biggest mistake new hosts and property managers make is not knowing who they’re trying to attract to their listings. “Most people just go out there and try to have a property that’s all things to everybody. Believe it or not, this ultimately makes it be nothing to anybody, and it's not really somewhere anyone wants to stay.” 

So take the time to identify your target audience, and curate your properties and listings to attract that type of guest.

Failing to build a strong tech stack

The longer you wait to build your tech stack, the more manual work you’ll have to do in the meantime. Set yourself up for success by investing in a tech stack that will grow with you as you scale your business. 

If you don’t take the right steps to automate your Airbnb business , you’ll soon be bogged down by repetitive tasks and potentially costly errors that slip through the cracks, like missed cleans, missed messages, or double bookings. 

So invest the time and money to set up your tech stack from day one, and factor it into your financial planning so it’s properly accounted for.

Being unrealistic about budgeting and financial goals

Another common mistake you want to avoid is under-budgeting for your expenses and over-forecasting your revenue. There are often unexpected costs that come with running a short-term rental business, like unforeseen maintenance repairs. 

Also, a lot of variables go into booking rates and revenue, like seasonality, travel trends, and the greater economic climate. So it’s best to be conservative in your financial planning and goals, so you’re in a stronger position should you experience any business challenges.

Get your Airbnb business off to a strong start with the right planning

Launching a short-term rental business is a challenging task, but creating a solid business plan is a great place to start. Follow these eight steps to get organized and ensure you have everything you need to begin: 

• Define your business model
• Conduct legal and market research
• Identify your target market
• Define your goals and milestones
• Map out your tech stack
• Create a marketing strategy
• Outline budgeting requirements
• Establish your USP and create an executive summary

And remember, don’t wait until you’re already managing multiple properties to set up your tech stack. Automating your business from day one will help minimize errors and give you the time you need to focus on improving and scaling your operations.

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Airbnb Business Plan

The rising remote work culture and the people’s desire to work while traveling have created a unique opportunity for Airbnb entrepreneurs.

So, starting an Airbnb is an excellent choice, especially for someone looking to add an additional revenue stream to their income.

Need help writing a business plan for your Airbnb business? Creating a business plan is essential to starting, growing, and securing funding for your business. So we have prepared an Airbnb business plan template to help you start writing yours.

Free Business Plan Template

Download our free business plan template now and pave the way to success. Let’s turn your vision into an actionable strategy!

• Fill in the blanks – Outline
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How to Write an Airbnb business plan?

Writing an Airbnb business plan is a crucial step toward the success of your business. Here are the key steps to consider when writing a business plan:

1. Executive Summary

An executive summary is the first section of the business plan intended to provide an overview of the whole business plan. Generally, it is written after the entire business plan is ready. Here are some key components to add to your summary:

Introduce your business:

• Offer a high-level overview of your Airbnb business, including its name, location, and the type of accommodation you plan on offering, such as shared rooms, boutique hotels, or vacation rentals.

Market opportunity:

Hospitality services:, marketing & sales strategies:.

• Your marketing & sales strategies can include social media advertising, partnerships with tour companies and local businesses, and more.

Financial highlights:

Call to action:.

Ensure you keep your executive summary concise and clear, use simple language, and avoid jargon.

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2. Business Overview

The business overview section of your business plan offers detailed information about your company. The details you add will depend on how important they are to your business. Yet, business name, location, business history, and future goals are some of the foundational elements you must consider adding to this section:

Business Description:

• Boutique hotels
• Shared rooms
• Vacation rentals
• Company structure: Describe the legal structure of your Airbnb business, whether it is a sole proprietorship, a partnership firm, or something else.
• Location of your Airbnb business and why you selected that place. In case your Airbnb focuses mostly on tourists, locations like mountain resorts and beach towns can be ideal.

Mission statement:

Business history:, future goals:.

This section should provide an in-depth understanding of your Airbnb business. Additionally, the business overview section should be engaging and precise, explaining how your business differs from the competition.

3. Market Analysis

Market analysis provides a clear understanding of the market in which your Airbnb business will run along with the target market, competitors, and growth opportunities. Your market analysis should contain the following essential components:

Target market:

• For instance, It might make sense for an Airbnb business to target young, adventure-seeking individuals between the ages of 25 and 42 who enjoy exploring new places.

Market size and growth potential:

Competitive analysis:, market trends:.

• For example, the rise of remote work after the pandemic has led to long-term stays at vacation rentals. You can mention how you can take advantage of that, e.g., by offering high-speed internet or office setups.

Regulatory environment:

Some additional tips for writing the market analysis section of your business plan:

• Use various sources to gather data, including industry reports, market research studies, and surveys.
• Be specific and provide detailed information wherever possible.
• Include charts and graphs to help illustrate your key points.
• Keep your target audience in mind while writing the business plan.

4. Products And Services

The product and services section of an Airbnb business plan should describe the specific services and products that will be offered to customers. To write this section should include the following:

Describe accommodation & services:

• Include additional information about the accommodation, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, amenities, and other specifications.

Value-added services:

Emphasize customer experience:.

Overall, a business plan’s product and services section should be detailed, informative, and customer-focused. By providing a clear and compelling description of your offerings, you can help potential investors and readers understand the value of your business.

5. Sales And Marketing Strategies

Writing the sales and marketing strategies section means a list of strategies you will use to attract and retain your clients. Here are some key elements to include in your sales & marketing plan:

Develop your unique selling proposition (USP):

Pricing strategy:, marketing strategies:.

• In addition, you should also list your services to multiple other rental and hotel booking sites like, homestay, booking.com, sonder, and agoda homes.

Sales strategies:

• For instance, you could provide discount coupons for a local restaurant or bring fresh fruits from your local market to enrich the customer experience.

Customer retention:

Overall, the sales and marketing strategies section of your business plan should outline your plans to attract and retain customers and generate revenue. Be specific, realistic, and data-driven in your approach, and be prepared to adjust your strategies based on feedback and results.

6. Operations Plan

When writing the operations plan section, it’s essential to consider the various aspects of your business processes and procedures involved in operating a business. Here are the components to include in an operations plan:

Shifting & Training:

Operational process:, technology and system:.

By including these key elements in your operations plan section, you can create a comprehensive plan that outlines how you will run your Airbnb business.

7. Management Team

The management team section provides an overview of the individuals responsible for running the Airbnb business. This section should provide a detailed description of the experience and qualifications of each manager, as well as their responsibilities and roles.

Founder/CEO:

Key managers:, organizational structure: describe the organizational structure of the management team, including reporting lines and how decisions will be made., compensation plan:, board of advisors:.

Describe your company’s key personnel and highlight why your business has the fittest team.

8. Financial Plan

When writing the financial plan section of a business plan, it’s important to provide a comprehensive overview of your financial projections for the first few years of your business.

Profit & loss statement:

Cash flow statement:, balance sheet:, break-even point:, financing needs:.

Remember to be realistic with your financial projections and provide supporting evidence for your estimates.

9. Appendix

When writing the appendix section, you should include any additional information that supports the main content of your plan. This may include financial statements, market research data, legal documents, and other relevant information.

• Include a table of contents for the appendix section to make it easy for readers to find specific information.
• Include financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. These should be up-to-date and show your financial projections for at least the first three years of your business.
• Provide market research data, such as statistics on the size of the Airbnb industry, consumer demographics, and trends in the industry.
• Include any legal documents such as permits, licenses, and contracts.
• Provide any additional documentation related to your business plans, such as marketing materials, product brochures, and operational procedures.
• Use clear headings and labels for each section of the appendix so that readers can easily find the information they need.

Remember, the appendix section of your Airbnb business should only include relevant and essential information supporting your plan’s main content.

The Quickest Way to turn a Business Idea into a Business Plan

Fill-in-the-blanks and automatic financials make it easy.

This Airbnb business plan sample will provide an idea for writing a successful Airbnb plan, including all the essential components of your business.

After this, if you still need clarification about writing an investment-ready Airbnb business plan to impress your audience, download our Airbnb business plan pdf .

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Frequently asked questions, why do you need an airbnb business plan.

A business plan is an essential tool for anyone looking to start or run a successful Airbnb company. It helps to get clarity in your business, secures funding, and identifies potential challenges while starting and growing your Airbnb business.

Overall, a well-written plan can help you make informed decisions, which can contribute to the long-term success of your Airbnb business.

How to get funding for your Airbnb business?

There are several ways to get funding for your Airbnb business, but one of the most efficient and speedy funding options is self-funding. Other options for funding are

Small Business Administration (SBA) loan

Crowdfunding, angel investors.

Apart from all these options, there are small business grants available, check for the same in your location and you can apply for it.

Where to find business plan writers for your Airbnb business?

There are many business plan writers available, but no one knows your business and idea better than you, so we recommend you write your Airbnb business plan and outline your vision as you have in your mind.

What is the easiest way to write your Airbnb business plan?

A lot of research is necessary for writing a business plan, but you can write your plan most efficiently with the help of any Airbnb business plan example and edit it as per your need. You can also quickly finish your plan in just a few hours or less with the help of our business plan software.

About the Author

Upmetrics Team

Upmetrics is the #1 business planning software that helps entrepreneurs and business owners create investment-ready business plans using AI. We regularly share business planning insights on our blog. Check out the Upmetrics blog for such interesting reads. Read more

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A Guide to Writing an Airbnb Business Plan

Lodgable Team

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• August 19, 2022

Starting your Airbnb company with a solid strategy is the greatest approach to ensure its long-term viability. It lays forth your company’s vision, mission, and objectives, as well as the timetable for achieving them. When it comes to the vacation rental sector, you don’t want to be flying blind.

Try not to get too stressed out: writing a business plan is a lot easy than you would imagine. An Airbnb business plan is essential, and this article explains why and provides you with ideas and tactics for building a successful one.

What are the benefits of having an Airbnb business strategy?

Isn’t having a business strategy essential? We’ll see if we can persuade you otherwise. Having a solid Airbnb business plan is like having a blueprint that you can follow to guide your company into the future. There is a slew of reasons why you should put together a short-term rental property business strategy .

Helps you keep track of your long-term objectives

When you’re attempting to expand your company, it’s easy to become distracted and get lost in the weeds. It’s important to be open to new ideas, but setting down your objectives and keeping them in mind can help you avoid deviating from your intended path. It encourages you to keep moving ahead and inspires you to set new ones. As a bonus, it’s a practical method to celebrate your accomplishments, akin to having an accountability partner… but on paper!

Encourages you to make critical choices

Writing an Airbnb business plan will require you to think deeply about a slew of issues, including your objectives and strategies for running your business, your competitors, and potential future visitors. If you’ve been putting off making any tough choices, this procedure may force your hand… To deal with them head-on is the best course of action. Don’t get too worked up over it. Your company plan is an ever-evolving document that you may return to at any time and make adjustments to.

Gives you a platform through which to tell people about your company

You will ultimately need the help of others, as much as we all prefer to pretend we can do everything on our own. It may be a coworker, an investor, a personal assistant, or any combination of these. It’s important to be able to clearly and confidently explain what you’re doing and where the company is heading when that moment arrives. If you book an Uber and don’t inform the driver where you’re going, it makes no sense.

Not to mention the fact that not having to go into detail with the individual you’re hiring about the specifics of your company saves you both time and money. Before responding to additional in-depth queries, provide the paper to them and let it speak for itself.

A guide to writing an Airbnb host business plan that works

Now that you understand the need for an Airbnb management business plan, how do you write one? Let’s get a cup of coffee and go through everything together.

Think of a mission statement to guide you.

Many people believe that mission statements are only used by large organizations, although this isn’t always true. Consider drafting a mission statement for your Airbnb company before you even begin creating the actual business plan. An organization’s mission statement is just a succinct description of what it stands for.

Think about how you would explain what you’re doing to a buddy at a cocktail party without losing interest. What are your long-term goals for the company? Is this something you care about? What do you do for your consumers that they will appreciate? Keep in mind that this is designed to be brief and to the point.

Find out who you’re speaking to

Who is going to be reviewing your business proposal? It’s possible that the language you’d use with one group of people wouldn’t be suitable for another. Consider developing many drafts of your Airbnb management business plan so that you may tailor it to the needs of various stakeholders. As an example, you may create a more formal business plan for investors and a more informal strategy for a potential business partner.

Self-reflection may be a powerful tool.

It’s a major endeavor to start an Airbnb company! If you’re going to start a company, you need to be sure you’re ready for the challenge.

Make a list of the abilities you currently have and the ones you’ll need to acquire along the process. To reduce your workload, are there tasks you can or should outsource? Are you ready to take your Airbnb company to the next level?

Before you leap into the Airbnb pool, acknowledge any doubts you may have. I recommend it as a method to increase your self-esteem and be honest with yourself!

Be honest with yourself.

Is it worth it to challenge yourself? Absolutely! Is it a good idea to set yourself up for failure if you don’t achieve your company objectives? No, I don’t think so. As long as you keep your feet firmly planted on the ground, you’ll be able to achieve your dreams. Prepare for the worst-case scenario so you don’t get caught off guard.

An Airbnb business plan should include the following information:

In the last stage, we will begin creating your business plan. Our free printable Airbnb business plan template will be available soon, so check out our list of what to include in your plan.

Make an executive summary of your work.

An executive summary is a few phrases that summarize your Airbnb company and contain all of the most critical information you want to get over to your guests and other parties. This is to ensure that anybody looking at your business plan will have a clear idea of what it is about.

As a starting point, it may be helpful to ask oneself the five W’s: When? Where? Why? You won’t have to worry about losing out on important details if you use this method.

You should ask yourself these things:

• How many people will be staying at my Airbnb (i.e., families, couples, etc.)?
• If it’s a beachfront condo, what kind of vacation house is it?
• Summer, winter, weekends, etc.) are the greatest times to use my rental.
• What is the address of my holiday home?
• Why should they choose to stay at my place?

Using this method, you will be able to choose what information you want to include in your executive summary, which you can then rework to make it seem more professional and appealing to the reader. Look at other hosts’ Airbnb business ideas for inspiration if you’re unsure of what to do.

Create a detailed plan of action.

The operations plan gives you an idea of how your new firm will function daily. Whether or if you plan to hire employees, create standards, maintain inventories, and do other administrative tasks will all be part of this plan.

Because you’ve probably already thought about all of this, writing this section of your business plan will be a breeze.

If you are stuck, consider the following suggestions and examples:

• Is it going to be a one-person operation or will I need to recruit more employees?
• After each visitor leaves, who’s going to do the cleaning?
• Does my firm need the services of a professional accountant?
• Bookings and consumer complaints are under the responsibility of who?

Describe your company’s objectives in detail

Executive summaries will offer you a general idea of where your firm is headed, but the objectives section will enable you to further define this vision. How many reservations each month are you happy with, or are you hoping for a full schedule by the end of this year? Defining a goal will help you achieve this.

Setting S.M.A.R.T. objectives can help your firm achieve success, even if it seems like common sense. Whether or if your company objective is sane is an important question to answer. Is it observable? Attainable? Relevant? Time-based? The foundation of every successful Airbnb business strategy is the establishment of clear objectives.

Get a handle on what sets you apart from the competition.

With every firm, you’ll need to explain why clients should select you above the competitors. Take into account the unique advantages of your vacation rental over other homes in the region.

Describe your company’s USP, or unique selling proposition, in this area. Describe what makes your Airbnb business stand out from the competition.

Finding your company’s unique selling proposition (USP) is considerably simpler than you would expect. Asking yourself a few basic questions will help you discover what makes your Airbnb property unique (and superior to others). When you’re confident in your abilities, you’ll inspire confidence in your visitors as well!

Here are a few instances of what I’m talking about:

• Is its location a factor in its superiority?
• Is the cost of your lodging lower?
• If so, how are the interiors of your home distinct from those of the rest?

Decide who you want as a guest.

The money you earn will come from the people who come to your event. So it’s critical to know them and target them effectively.

Be careful to build buyer personas based on the sorts of visitors you want to attract in your marketing strategy. Your ideal customer’s demographics, such as age and annual household income, are included in this profile. The more thorough you can make it, the better it will be for your company in the long run. It’s important to leverage these buyer personas in every element of your organization to increase reservations.

Here are a few quick and important questions to ponder concerning your ideal guest:

• They’re called what?
• I’m curious about their day jobs.
• What are their ages?
• Is there a family there?

Adages like “failure to prepare are preparation for failure” might be valid in some situations. You’ll be able to learn about things like the most frequent issues guests have, their preferences for and dislikes in a rental home, and the features they anticipate discovering while staying there.

For a young digital nomad, you’ll want to make sure you have fast and stable WiFi as well as a dedicated work location. You may also want to recommend some of the finest local cafés to work from. To accommodate a large family with young children, you’ll want to ensure that the home is kid-friendly.

Be aware of your rivals

In addition to concentrating on your firm, you should do some competition research as part of your business strategy. Find your immediate rivals in the market and evaluate them to understand how your firm might succeed.

It’s important to look at everyone who may beat you to a booking and utilize that information to your advantage when doing competition research.

• How much per night are my rivals charging?
• What level of service and amenities are on offer?
• Do they provide airport transportation?
• Is there a broad variety of facilities in the residence?

Make a strategy for your marketing efforts.

To make reservations in your target markets, explain whatever techniques you’ve opted to apply. Keep in mind any programs or promotions you want to conduct externally, in addition to any traditional and web marketing.

Your marketing strategy is simply how you’ll promote your firm and get reservations. In this situation, your buyer persona will come in helpful. You’ll know what kind of marketing to use if you know who you’re attempting to reach. Build your brand from here on out.

You may want to ask yourself the following questions as you begin to draft your marketing strategy:

• What internet marketing strategies should I employ?
• What offline marketing strategies should I employ?
• No, I don’t have one.
• Is there a way to contact me?

Financial objectives and plans should be laid forth.

Consider your options for raising capital for your new venture. In all likelihood, you’ve questioned yourself, “How am I going to finance this Airbnb?” If it’s not self-funded, do you have any other options? Does renting out a spare room mean that you don’t expect to spend any money?

Your financial strategy will be shaped by the answers to these inquiries. To put it another way, it’s merely a list of expenses and how you intend to pay them. Money, as we all know, does not grow on trees, as the saying goes. Write out your first five-year forecasts of spending and revenue. When it comes to money, smart budgeting and planning can ensure that your firm will be able to prosper in the future.

So, what kind of data goes into a financial strategy?

• Is borrowing the money necessary?
• Are we going to see an increase or decrease in interest rates?
• Is there money in the bank that I’m willing to put towards it?
• Is it possible for me to afford a monthly loan payment of a certain amount?

Make sure you know where you’re going and how you’ll get there.

The best way to ensure that you reach your business’s objectives is to write them down in detail. It’s critical to keep tabs on the status of any endeavor you embark on, whether it’s returning to school, shedding pounds, or establishing a company. This section is a great reference point for revisiting and making sure you’re on the correct path.

Some useful milestones for your Airbnb company are as follows:

• A month’s salary is a question I often am asked.
• My goal for the first quarter is to have how many visitors.
• What kind of annual growth rate do I desire for my bookings?
• Which clientele do I want to keep coming back to year after year?

Airbnb Business Plan Mistakes to Avoid

How can you avoid the pitfalls that we’ve already spoken about in your plan? When it comes to your company plan, you don’t have to worry about getting it great the first time around since it is an ever-changing document. Before you can fine-tune and alter, you must first get your ideas down on paper. To that end, here are some blunders to avoid while drafting an Airbnb business plan.

Avoid being cryptic

A business plan is designed to provide your company with a feeling of direction. Don’t make broad, generalized generalizations that can’t be backed up with evidence. Maintaining your company’s forward momentum and uncovering areas of success and growth, it will be more difficult. Being explicit about your objectives and intentions can benefit your future self.

Don’t be too specific

The truth is, we’ve just told you the exact opposite. The more explicit you are in your plans, the less wiggle space there is for you to change things up if things go awry. Having a clear vision for your company’s future is important, but you don’t want to lock yourself up from alternative options.

Throughout our lives, we’ve all seen how quickly things can change. Decide where you want to go (your company’s objectives), but be flexible about how you get there (how you will achieve those goals). In other words, there is a sweet spot there.

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About All The Rooms:

All The Rooms is a vacation rental metasearch engine. It specializes in comparing prices from Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and other sites to find travelers the best short-term rental prices.

Headquarters:

The United States

Popular With Travelers:

North America

Accommodations Accepted:

Apartments, Condos, Vacation Rentals, Resorts, Bed and Breakfast Inns (B&Bs)

About Mapquest Ads:

Mapquest Ads enables Mapquest users to view hotels directly from within a mapquest search. It allows a user to scan a map and view accommodations that are nearby or at their desired destination. Similar to Google, Mapquest is experimenting with vacation rentals and displays limited inventory, at random, at this time.

Hotels, Apartments, Condos, Vacation Rentals, Resorts, Bed and Breakfast Inns (B&Bs)

About Google Hotel Ads:

Google Hotel Ads enables Google users to view hotels directly from a google search result or within Google maps. All a user needs to do is type in a search like “Las Vegas Hotels” or click “Nearby Hotels” from their Google Maps app. Google also started experimenting with vacation rentals. They are working with some of Lodgable’s inventory, at random, to test and refine their model for this new accommodation type.

About Rent By Owner:

Based out of British Columbia Canada, RentByOwner.com makes it easy for you to rent a house, apartment, or villa that has the right location and amenities you need for a great trip.

About Wotif:

Wotif.com is a website that provides a reservation service for hotels in Australia and international destinations across the globe. Since 2000, it has since established offices in Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

About Aegean Airlines:

Aegean Airline is based in Attica, Greece. It’s the largest Greek airline with over 246 daily departures, many of which travel to the USA. Aegean Airline also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, from their website separate from their flight or as apart of a grouped travel package.

About Hotel Hunter:

Hotel Hunter searches the top travel sites to find the best deals on over 430,000 hotels. They also recently expanded their offerings into vacation rentals.

Eastern Europe, Russia

About VacationRentals.com:

VacationRentals.com helps individuals and families find rental properties all over the United States. With over a million vacation rentals, users can quickly sort through filters to find the best properties.

About Last Minute Travel:

Founded in 1996 in Florida, Last Minute Travel was the first website serving today’s time-starved traveler and grew to be one of the most trusted online marketplaces for people to discover and to book the ultimate vacation.

North America, The United Kingdom

About Bookabach:

The Bookabach website went live in October 2000, and since then has built one of New Zealand’s largest communities of bach (holiday home) owners and renters. It is now New Zealand’s most trusted resource for finding and securing private accommodation.

New Zealand

New Zealand, Australia, South Pacific

About Olympic Air:

Olympic Air is based in Athens, Greece The airline operates services to 37 domestic destinations and to 32 destinations worldwide. Travelers can also book vacation rentals separate from their flight or as a grouped travel package.

Hotels, Apartments, Vacation Rentals, Resorts, Bed and Breakfast Inns (B&Bs)

About Atraveo:

Since 1997, Atraveo has helped European travelers find an array of holiday rentals with individual charm. They currentely host over 300,000 holiday homes and apartments worldwide.

About MisterBnB:

MisterBnB is the largest LGBTQIA travel community with 200,000 hosts in over 135 countries. Cozy apartments, private rooms and amazing homes.

United States, Europe

About HouseTrip:

HouseTrip is an online holiday rental marketplace based out of Lausanne, Switzerland that allows homeowners and holiday rental managers to list and rent out their properties to guests.

Switzerland

About Only-Apartments:

Only-Apartments specializes in apartment rentals for short and medium stays. They currently lists over 120,000 apartments in 109 countries worldwide. Its website is available in more than 20 languages.

About Niumba:

Niumba is a Spain-based vacation company known for its extensive inventory of beautiful properties like private holiday homes, villas, and beach houses all throughout the world. The website provides around 334,000 private holiday homes, 22% of which are located in Spain. Niumba’s business model is based on putting those who wish to rent their homes in contact with travelers.

About Alugue Temporada:

Alugue Temporada is a popular Brazillian vacation rental website. With more than 1 million properties in 190 countries, Alugue Temporada is committed to helping families and friends find the perfect vacation home for unforgettable trips.

South America

Apartments, Vacation Rentals, Condos, Resorts, Bed and Breakfast Inns (B&Bs)

About Toprural:

Toprural is a rural house search engine whose mission is to promote rural tourism. Since its inception in 2000, the objective has been clear: to offer the traveler the simplest and most effective way to organize their rural getaways and give the owner the best platform to attract customers to their accommodation.

Spain, France

Apartments, Condos, Vacation Rentals, Resorts, Bed and Breakfast Inns (B&Bs)

About Owners Direct:

Owners Direct specializes in advertising privately owned holiday accommodation, which can be booked directly from the owner or through the owner’s property manager. Properties can be rented for variable stays, from a weekend break through to a long-term.

The United Kingdom

About Srilankan Airlines:

Srilankan Airlines is the flag carrier and largest airline of Sri Lanka. Srilankan also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, from their website separate from their flight or as apart of a grouped travel package.

Central Asia

Hotels, Apartments, Vacation Rentals, Resorts, Bed and Breakfast Inns (B&Bs)

About Holiday Lettings:

Based in Oxford, England, what started as a few rental specialists in 1999 has grown to a huge team, providing traveler and owner support in multiple languages. From traditional stone cottages to modern apartments with sea views in Somerset, Holiday Lettings focuses on providing travelers with a unique travel experience.

About Stayz:

Stayz, based in Sydney, Australia, is the leader in holiday rentals with over 40,000 properties domestically. Stayz allows guests to search and compare a wide variety of amazing holiday rentals across the country. From humble beachside shacks to country abodes, they provide unique accommodation options for every taste and budget.

Australia, New Zealand, Europe

About Flipkey:

FlipKey is a leading American vacation rentals marketplace with more than 830,000 properties in 190 countries. It allows travelers to find unique rentals like a city-center studio, a far-flung private island, a cozy ski chalet, or a sprawling beach house.

About Hipmunk:

Hipmunk’s website, mobile app, and AI-powered bots help save time and money by comparing top travel sites to show the perfect flight or hotel at the cheapest price. They also allow travelers to compare condos, apartments, homes, and other short-term rentals.

About Homelidays:

Homelidays connects homeowners who rent their principal residences or secondary holiday rental with millions of french and foreign holidaymakers who are looking for spacious, intimate, and authentic accommodations.

About Tripping:

Tripping is the larget vacation rental metasearch engine. It specializes in comparing over 10 million listings in more than 150,000 cities worldwide, to find travelers the best short-term rental prices.

North America and Europe

About Swoodoo:

Swoodoo is the leading flight search engine in Germany. Their website and mobile apps allow travelers to compare hundreds of travel sites at once for flights, car rentals, hotels, and vacation rentals.

About eBookers:

eBookers is one of Europe’s largest online travel agents based in the UK. They help travelers find airline tickets, car rentals, train tickets, excursions, and hotel deals. They also recently added vacation rentals to their portfolio.

About Finnair:

Finnair is the flag carrier and largest airline of Finland. Finnair also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, from their website separate from their flight or as apart of a grouped travel package

About Air New Zealand:

Air New Zealand is the countries flagship airline. They work closely with the US travel bureau and bring in 1,000s of international visitors to the states. In addition to flights, they also allow travelers to book hotels and vacation rentals.

New Zealand, Australia, South Pacific, United States

About Malaysia Airlines:

Malaysia Airlines serves more than 50 destinations worldwide and operates over 300 flights a day. They also allow travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, from their website.

Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, United Kingdom

About FeWo-Direkt:

Fewo is a German website that allows travelers to find and book the perfect holiday rentals. For over 20 years it has specialized in connecting residential short-term rentals with German enthusiasts that need a place to stay.

About Trip.com:

Trip.com conducts business in over 200 countries and is a leading provider of hotels, transportation ticketing, packaged tours, and corporate travel management. They also recently added vacation rentals to their portfolio.

About Abritel:

Abritel is a French website that allows travelers to find and book the perfect holiday rentals. Founded in 1979, it specializes in connecting residential short-term rentals with French enthusiasts that need a place to stay.

France, Belgium, Italy, Germany

Apartments, Vacation Rentals, Resorts, Bed and Breakfast Inns (B&Bs)

About Cheap Tickets:

Cheap Tickets is a popular metasearch engine that focuses on finding airline ticket, car rental, cruise, and hotel deals. They also recently added vacation rentals to their portfolio.

North America, Central America, The United Kingdom

About Iberia Airlines:

Iberia is Spain’s top airline and transports passengers to over 109 destinations in 39 countries. They also allow travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, from their website.

About Hotels Combined

Hotels Combined is a popular price comparison service based out of Australia. They search other hotel and vacation rental websites to compares prices, reviews, and value.

Headquarters

Australia, Southest Asia, United Kingdom, United States

Accommodations Accepted

About hometogo.

Hometogo is a specialiozed metasearch engine that allows travelers to compare vacation rental prices from Airbnb, VRBO, Flipkey, and over 240 other providers in over 200 countries.

North America, Europe

About Pegasus Airlines

Pegasus Airlines is a Turkish low-cost airline with services to Eastern Europe and some of the Middle-East. Pegasus Airlines also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, from their website separate from their flight or as apart of a grouped travel package.

Eastern Europe

About KLM Airlines:

KLM Airlines is based in the Netherlands and transports more than 20 million passengers every year to over 140 destinations worldwide. They also allow travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, from their website.

The Neatherlands

Europe and North America

About Qatar Airlines:

Qatar Airways is based in Doha, Qatar. The airline operates a hub-and-spoke network, linking over 150 international destinations and uses over 180 aircrafts. Qatar Airways also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, from their website separate from their flight or as apart of a grouped travel package.

Middle East, The United States, The United Kingdom

About Qantas

Qantas is the flag carrier of Australia and is the largest airline in the country by fleet size, international flights, and international destinations. Qantas recently partnered with Airbnb and allows travelers to now book vacation rentals on their site.

Australia, The United States, The United Kingdom, New Zealand

About Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines is based in Istanbul, Turkey. It operates scheduled services to 302 destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, making it the largest carrier in the world by the number of destinations. also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals.

About Travelocity

Travelocity is best known as an online travel agency for flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages, and more. It recently started accepting instant bookable private homes, villas, apartments, condos, and other short-term rentals across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It’s looking to continue to expand its inventory.

About Orbitz

Orbitz is best known as a travel fare aggregator for flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages, and more. It recently started accepting instant bookable private homes, villas, apartments, condos, and other short-term rentals across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It’s looking to continue to expand its inventory.

North America, Central America

About Momondo

Momondo is a popular metasearch engine based in Europe. It is best known for curating deals and inspiring travel. It allows travelers to easily look at destination photos, price shop, compare hotels, vacation rentals, car rentals, and flights.

Europe, The United States

About Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines is is the second largest air fleet in the country, carrying over 52 million passengers each year. Japan Airlines also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals from their site.

About Despegar.com and Decolar.com

Despegar is the leading online travel agency in South America and operates in Argentina as Despegar and Decolar in Brazil. They allow travelers to reserve anything from flights to car rentals, excursions, hotels, and vacation rentals.

About Wiz Air

Wizz Airlines is the largest Hungarian airline and currently serves 42 countries. Wizz Airlines also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, from their website separate from their flight or as apart of a grouped travel package.

About Emirates Airlines

Emirates Airlines is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 3,600 flights per week to more than 140 cities in 81 countries. Emirate Airlines also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals.

The Middle East, Europe, The United States

Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, China

VRBO is one of the original vacation rental marketplaces. They offer a comprehensive selection of short-term rentals for families and groups to find accommodations such as cabins, condos, castles, villas, barns, B&Bs, and farmhouses.

About Tourico Holidays

For over 21 years, Tourico Holidays has brokered hospitality accommodations for major airlines, credit card and banking reward programs, travel agencies, and various e-commerce partners. They recently started supporting vacation rentals in addition to hotels.

HomeAway is a vacation rental marketplace with more than 2,000,000 vacation rentals in 190 countries. The company offers a comprehensive selection of rentals for families and groups to find accommodations such as cabins, condos, castles, villas, barns and farmhouses.

About Easy Jet Airlines

EasyJet Airlines is the second largest airline in Europe by the number of passengers carried. EasyJet also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, from their website separate from their flight or as apart of a grouped travel package.

About Trivago

Trivago is a popular metasearch engine. It was the first hotel booking website in Germany and quickly gained global popularity due to its ease of use to compare prices. Traditionally used for hotels, they are now accepting some vacation rentals too.

United States, Europe, and South America

About Priceline

Priceline.com is an American company and a commercial website for finding discount rates that receive over 100 million booking annually. It has traditionally been used to reserve airline tickets and hotel stays but recently started accepting vacation rentals too.

About Latam Airlines

Latam is currently the largest airline conglomerate in Latin America. In addition to flights, Latam also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, on their website as individual bookings or as apart of group packages.

About Cheapflights

Cheapflights is a major metasearch engine and popular mobile app that helps travelers find good faires on millions of flights. They also allow travelers to compare hotels, apartments, and rescently added vacation rentals.

United States, Australia, and Southeast Asia

About Agoda

Agoda is a global online accommodation reservations provider based in the heart of Asia. With a network of over one million properties, including apartments, villas, homes, and hotels backed by over 15 million real traveler reviews, Agoda helps other travelers find and explore new experiences in new destinations.

About American Airlines

American Airlines is a major United States airline with nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American Airlines also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, on their website as individual bookings or as apart of group packages.

United States

About Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines has scheduled services to 100 destinations in the United States. Southwest also allows travelers to book accommodations, like hotels and vacation rentals, on their website as individual bookings or as apart of group packages.

The United States, Canada, Mexico

About Kayak

KAYAK’s mission is to provide the world’s favorite travel tools. KAYAK searches other sites to show travelers the information they need to find the right flights, hotels, vacation rentals, B&Bs, rental cars and vacation packages. With a variety of tools and features such as KAYAK Trips, Explore and Price Forecast and an award-winning mobile app, KAYAK makes trip planning easier.

About Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a popular mobile app and offers a supporting online website. Their services are available in over 30 languages and is used by travelers to compare and book a comprehensive range of flight, hotels, and vacation rentals.

Scotland, The United Kingdom

The United States, Europe

About Hotels.com

Hotels.com has 85 websites in 34 languages, and lists over 325,000 accommodations in approximately 19,000 locations.

The company recently started accepting a small collection of premium vacation rentals and will continue expanding its offerings. Currently, marketing on this channel is by invitation only.

About Expedia

Expedia is one of the world’s leading travel sites. It’s best known for comparing flights, hotels, rental cars, cruises, vacation packages, and more. It recently started accepting select instant bookable private homes, villas, apartments, condos, and other short-term rentals worldwide. It’s looking to continue to expand its inventory.

About Ctrip

Ctrip, short for China Trip, is a provider of travel services including accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and corporate travel management. 1,200,000 hotels and accommodations are bookable through the website and cover more than 5,000 cities across the globe.

China, Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan

About Airbnb

Airbnb uniquely leverages technology to economically empower millions of people around the world to unlock and monetize their spaces, passions and talents to become hospitality entrepreneurs. Airbnb’s accommodation marketplace offers access to millions of places to stay in more than 191 countries, from apartments and villas to castles, treehouses and B&Bs. With Experiences, people can see a different side to a destination through unique, handcrafted activities run by locals.

Apartments, Vacation Rentals, Bed and Breakfast Inns (B&Bs)

About TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor provides travelers with the wisdom of the crowds to help them decide where to stay, how to fly, what to do and where to eat. TripAdvisor also compares prices from more than 200 booking sites so travelers can find the lowest price on the accommodation that’s right for them.

About Booking.com

Booking.com is available in 43 languages, offer over 1.5 million properties and cover more than 121,000 destinations in 229 countries and territories worldwide. It also hosts the world’s largest selection of incredible places to stay, including everything from apartments, vacation rentals, and family-run B&Bs to 5-star luxury resorts, tree houses, and even igloos.

The Netherlands

List your rentals on the top travel sites

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How to Start an Airbnb Business in 6 Steps — and Make Money

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Table of Contents

How to start an Airbnb business

How much can you make owning an airbnb, how much are airbnb taxes.

Starting an Airbnb business requires time, effort and investment just like other business ventures. Before becoming an Airbnb host, you’ll want to understand the rules and tax implications, thoughtfully design your space and research listings in your area to make sure your pricing is competitive.

Here’s what that process looks like, along with other key steps to starting an Airbnb business.

1. Find out if you need permission

Get the proper permission from your landlord, co-op board or homeowners association, if relevant, to list your space as a vacation rental on Airbnb .

Read your lease, which may include a provision about subletting.

Check if your homeowners association has restrictions regarding short-term rentals, or renting your home on a short-term basis.

2. Prepare your Airbnb rental

Whether it's a single room that shares your bathroom, a private wing with its own entrance or your entire home while you take off for the weekend, you likely need to invest something in the space — both before creating your Airbnb listing and for ongoing upkeep. Some costs to consider include:

Installing a keyless lock to make check-in easier.

Buying things that make the space more comfortable for long-term guests, such as a fridge, microwave and coffee maker.

Building a wall to close off a room.

Creating a separate, furnished television area.

Stocking the space with clean sheets, towels and toilet paper. (To score the highest ratings, you'll need to go above and beyond those basics.)

Paying higher utility bills.

Providing cleaning services between reservations.

Compensating a co-host (see below).

Covering taxes and the Airbnb host fee.

3. Set your price

Consider Airbnb pricing statistics , and think about affordability, audience and market.

Airbnb fees for most hosts is 3% of the booking subtotal. The fee may be higher for some hosts, including those with vacation rentals in Italy. The listing price your guests see is higher than what you earn.

Airbnb's metrics show how your nightly prices compare to other Airbnb property listings in the area, as well as when to consider lowering (or raising) your prices on certain days of the week or for surges in demand. You can set minimums for the number of nights people can stay at your location, which can offset the cost of turning over the space (cleaning and upkeep). You can also consider charging for extra guests or for additional services you provide, such as cleaning, equipment rental, pet-friendliness or tours.

Airbnb charges guests before arrival, and it sends you your money according to the method of your choice (PayPal or direct deposit, for example) 24 hours after your guest checks in. You cannot accept cash payments for your Airbnb. You can accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.

Other factors might affect how much you get paid, including weekly or monthly discounts, weekend or seasonal pricing, payment for co-hosts you enlist, or value-added tax (VAT) in certain non-U.S. locations.

» MORE: Learn more about ways to accept payments as a small business

4. List your Airbnb property

Write an honest Airbnb listing; don’t exaggerate things or withhold information about problem areas.

Highlight what’s special about your space so you stand out from other Airbnb listings.

Note accessibility features that can help guests easily navigate the space.

Include great photos to help your guests understand the space’s size and features.

5. Hire or enlist some help (a co-host)

Running a vacation rental could take up more time than you expect. You may want to have at least one other person help you with:

Emails and communications.

Repairs or requests at the site.

Urgent issues.

Neighborhood-specific tips for guests.

The check-in process.

Add your co-host to your listing (you can add up to 10), and make sure they understand Airbnb's Co-host Terms of Service. You and your co-host will determine how much they'll be paid per reservation. If you can't find a trusted co-host, third-party property management companies can help hosts deal with inquiries, clean spaces and more.

6. Host an Airbnb experience

If you're not in a position to set up a short-term rental, you can host an Airbnb experience instead.

Airbnb Experiences is the platform's tour-guide service, which hooks up guests with knowledgeable hosts for unique, hyper-local activities. Think yoga classes under the Eiffel Tower, surf lessons at Venice Beach, a Harry Potter walking tour in London or a pasta-making class in Rome. Airbnb experiences aren't available in every city, though.

You pick your schedule, how often you can host, the size of the group you can oversee and your rate.

You'll need to submit an application with Airbnb, which will vet you and your experience. Airbnb typically responds within a week, but be sure it’s accepting new applications before investing too much time in the experience. You might need to register as a business or get a business license depending on your local laws and whether your gig meets with your jurisdiction's definition of business activities. Pay attention to legal stipulations if your planned experience involves alcohol, food or transportation.

Learn more about starting a business

How much do you need.

with Fundera by NerdWallet

We’ll start with a brief questionnaire to better understand the unique needs of your business.

Once we uncover your personalized matches, our team will consult you on the process moving forward.

On average, hosts in the United States make more than $13,800 per year, according to Airbnb, but those numbers vary. Some hosts buy or lease a number of apartments or homes and rent them out full time.

Your earning potential depends on:

How much you charge for your space.

How often you can rent it out.

Both of those things depend on how much time and money you spend on furnishing and maintaining your Airbnb property.

Airbnb says it is active in more than 100,000 cities around the world, with more than 7 million

listings. For the vast majority of people, becoming a host is a side-hustle — not a full-time job with full-time earning potential.

Keep your profit expectations conservative, especially if you're not willing or able to contribute huge amounts of time and energy into your hosting gig.

The more effort you put into your space to make it as beautiful, functional and comfortable as possible — and the more time you allot to responding to guest concerns — the better your reviews and ratings will be. Responding to inquiries quickly is key.

You get rated on overall experience, accuracy, cleanliness, communication, check-in, location, value and amenities. Good reviews can help you rise in Airbnb’s search rankings, and being high in the search rankings means you'll appear more often in people’s search results, which can result in more bookings.

» MORE: Airbnb vs. Vrbo: Which is better for travelers?

Start Your Dream Business

Your city may require you to collect sales tax or gross receipts tax from guests, and you'll need to let guests know the exact amount before they book. You might collect that tax from your guests when they book.

Running an Airbnb can make you a small-business owner in the eyes of the IRS, so you’ll need to report your Airbnb income and expenses on your federal tax return, regardless of whether you made enough to receive tax forms from the company.

If you made more than $20,000 on Airbnb in 2023, the company likely sent you (and the IRS and state) a Form 1099-K . That amount was reduced to $5,000 for 2024. A 1099-K helps you calculate and report how much business income you received.

Tax deductions

On your tax return, you may be able to deduct certain expenses associated with your Airbnb business. These expenses might include:

The mortgage or rent on the Airbnb property.

Utilities consumed during stays.

Property insurance.

Repairs to the property.

Cleaning service.

Consult a qualified tax pro to make sure you're taking the right deductions.

» MORE: Small-business tax deductions to know

On a similar note...

How to Start an Airbnb Business

Starting an Airbnb business can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful Airbnb business.

Importantly, a critical step in starting an Airbnb business is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

14 Steps To Start an Airbnb Business :

• Choose the Name for Your Airbnb Business
• Develop Your Airbnb Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Airbnb Business
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Airbnb Business (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Airbnb Business with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Airbnb Business
• Buy or Lease the Right Airbnb Business Equipment
• Develop Your Airbnb Business Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Airbnb Business
• Open for Business

1. Choose the Name for Your Airbnb Business

The first step to starting an Airbnb business is to choose your business’ name.  

This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your Airbnb business:

• Make sure the name is available . Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
• Keep it simple . The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
• Think about marketing . Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your Airbnb business.

2. Develop Your Airbnb Business Plan

One of the most important steps in starting an Airbnb business is to develop your business plan. The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise capital for your business.

To enhance your planning process, incorporating insights from a  sample Airbnb business plan  can be beneficial. This can provide you with a clearer perspective on industry standards and effective strategies, helping to solidify your own business approach.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

• Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your Airbnb business.
• Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your Airbnb business and what type of Airbnb business you operate. For example, are you an Airbnb business that only rents out properties, provides both properties and services, or provides only services?
• Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the Airbnb industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
• Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target customers are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when looking for properties like the ones you will offer?
• Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
• Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
• Product : Determine and document what products/services you will offer 
• Prices : Document the prices of your products/services
• Place : Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
• Promotions : What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your Airbnb business? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
• Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
• Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
• Financial Plan – In this section, you will document the financial projections for your Airbnb. This should include your sales and revenue projections, cash flow statement, and your expense budget, detailing the Airbnb startup costs .
• What startup costs will you incur?
• How will your Airbnb property make money?
• What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
• Do you need to raise funding to launch your business?

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

3. choose the legal structure for your airbnb business.

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your Airbnb business and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the owner of the Airbnb business and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small business owners. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start an Airbnb business together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for an Airbnb business include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for an Airbnb business is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your Airbnb business, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

Incorporate Your Business at the Guaranteed Lowest Price

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4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Airbnb Business (If Needed)

In developing your Airbnb business plan, you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. 

If so, the main sources of funding for an Airbnb business to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in an Airbnb business that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Secure a Location for Your Business

There are a few things you’ll need to consider when choosing a location for your Airbnb business:

• Your target market: What type of guests are you hoping to attract? City dwellers? Families? Businesspeople?
• The availability of resources: Are there restaurants, bars, and other businesses in the area that will be beneficial for your guests? Is there public transportation nearby? Is there adequate and convenient parking available? 
• The zoning laws in the area: Make sure you’re not breaking any regulations by opening up a business in your chosen location.

Once you’ve weighed all these important factors, you’ll be able to choose the perfect spot for your Airbnb.

6. Register Your Airbnb Business with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your Airbnb business’ name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

• Identify and contact the bank you want to use
• Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
• Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
• Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your Airbnb business to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

There are several licenses and permits you may need to start an Airbnb business, depending on your location. For example, you may need a business license, a zoning permit, or a certificate of occupancy. To find out what other licenses and permits you need, contact your local government office or business licensing authority. You can find contact information on your city or county website.

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Airbnb Business

Business insurance policies you should consider for your Airbnb business include:

• General liability insurance : This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. It also covers damages caused by your employees or products.
• Property insurance : This covers damage to your property caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.

Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs.

11. Buy or Lease the Right Airbnb Business Equipment

When starting your own Airbnb business, you will need a few key pieces of equipment. First, you will need a computer or laptop to manage your reservations and communicate with guests. You will also need a digital camera or smartphone to take pictures of your Airbnb properties. Additionally, you’ll need a reliable internet connection to upload these photos and manage your reservations. Finally, you will need basic office supplies like a computer, printer, scanner, and phone.

12. Develop Your Airbnb Business Marketing Materials

As part of your Airbnb marketing plan , marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your Airbnb.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

• Website : A professional Airbnb business website provides potential customers with information about the properties and amenities that you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your website will affect how customers perceive you.
• Social Media Accounts : establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media networks will help customers and others find and interact with your Airbnb business.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Airbnb Business

To start an Airbnb business, you will need software that can help you manage reservations, bookings, and payments. Some popular options include Airbnb’s own software, as well as software from companies like HomeAway and VRBO.

14. Open for Business

You are now ready to open your Airbnb business. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you.  

Airbnb Business Plan Example PDF

Download our Airbnb business plan pdf here. This is a free Airbnb business plan example to help you get started on your own Airbnb plan.

How to Finish Your Ultimate Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your Airbnb business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

How to Start an Airbnb Business FAQs

Is it hard to start an airbnb business.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the difficulty of starting an Airbnb business will vary depending on several factors including your location and the level of competition in your area. However, there are a few things you can do to make starting an Airbnb business easier, such as doing your research and making sure you have all the necessary licenses and permits.

How can I start an Airbnb business with no experience?

Airbnb hosting with no experience can be tough, but it's not impossible. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Do your research. Before you start your business, make sure you understand the ins and outs of the Airbnb market. Know what kind of properties are in demand in your area, and learn about the competition.
• Create a business plan. This will help you stay organized and focused as you start your business. It will also help you secure funding if needed.
• Get started with marketing. Start building a database of potential guests and promoting your business online and offline.
• Start small. It's wise to test the waters before investing too much money or time into your business. Try offering one or two short-term rentals first, to make sure everything works out well for you.

What type of Airbnb business is most profitable?

The most profitable Airbnb businesses are those that offer multiple properties or rooms for rent. This type of business allows you to make the most money while also providing a service that is in high demand. Additionally, properties in desirable locations for tourists, business professionals, or special events can be more profitable than less in demand areas.

How much does it cost to start an Airbnb business?

The cost of starting an Airbnb business can vary depending on the location and size of the business. Generally, startup costs will include licensing and permitting fees, insurance, marketing and advertising, and furniture and supplies.

What are the ongoing expenses for an Airbnb business?

There are a few ongoing expenses that are necessary for this type of business. The first is advertising. Advertising is important for letting potential customers know about your business. You will also need to pay for the costs of maintaining your Airbnb website. This includes the costs of hosting and domain name registration. You may also want to invest in some search engine optimization services to help you get more traffic to your website. Finally, you will need to pay your taxes each year.

How does an Airbnb business make money?

An Airbnb host makes money by renting out rooms, apartments, or houses to Airbnb guests for a short period of time. The company charges a service fee for each booking, and the property owner also collects payment from the guest. In some cases, the property owner may also receive a commission from Airbnb for referring a guest.

Is owning an Airbnb business profitable?

Airbnb hosting is a profitable business. First, the company doesn't have to pay rent on the properties it rents out, which saves it money. Second, guests are often willing to pay more for an Airbnb rental than they would for a traditional hotel room, since they typically have more amenities and space. Finally, the company doesn't have to hire any employees, which saves it money on staffing costs.

Why do Airbnb businesses fail?

There are many reasons Airbnb business owners can fail. One reason could be that the property is not well-maintained and does not meet the customer's expectations. Another reason could be that the owner is not responsive to customer inquiries or does not provide adequate customer service. Additionally, if the price is too high or there are too many restrictions on the property it can deter potential customers. These cause customer satisfaction ratings to drop and can lead to less bookings and income.

Where Can I Download a Airbnb Business Plan PDF?

You can download our airbnb business plan PDF template here. This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Vacation Rental Business Plan: 15 Steps for Success (Free Template)

Investing in a vacation rental business isn’t a decision to take lightly. However, as the short-term rental industry continues to grow, 2024 could be the perfect time to do so.

The success of any short-term rental business will depend on having actionable goals and clear objectives based on thorough market research, whether you’re a newbie or an experienced property investor.

It’s crucial to create a strategic business plan for short-term rentals before you hand over a deposit or receive the keys. A viable business and management plan will help you identify the risks and prepare you for the challenges ahead.

In this article, we look at what a business plan is, give you samples and templates to use, and analyze the 15 steps your vacation rental business plan needs to help you get started.

Don’t see the form to download our Vacation Rental Business Plan PDF? Click here .

What is a vacation rental business plan?

Simply put, your business plan is an overarching set of rules, goals, and frameworks to help you make decisions for your new business and its future.

Not only will a vacation rental business plan help you define your strategy, but you can repeatedly refer back to it to ensure you are going in the right direction.

Business plan vs. vacation rental business model

Many aspiring rental owners confuse these two documents or assume they’re the same, so let’s review the differences.

A short-term rental business plan is a detailed document that outlines your business goals and how you plan on achieving them. A short-term rental business model, on the other hand, is your core framework for providing value to guests and operating profitably. Business models are much shorter, often including only a customer value proposition and pricing strategy.

Why do you need a vacation rental business plan?

Vacation rental owners are eager to hit the ground running when they buy their first properties—who wouldn’t be? Any vacancy or downtime on the property means more money that’s coming out of your pocket. A vacation rental property business plan will guide you through the initial steps and beyond, helping you maximize your profit and success as a host.

Beyond just making money, having a good business plan for vacation rentals will allow you to measure success and identify areas for improvement accurately. For example, it will help you focus on key metrics, such as your budget, local market insights, and expansion opportunities.

How to write a short-term rental business plan: video summary

15 steps to create your vacation rental business plan

To make things easier for budding entrepreneurs, we’re including 15 steps to help you succeed in writing your short-term rental business plan. We also reached out to the following industry professionals for their insights!

• Antonio Bortolotti , founder of Vacation Rental Secrets and host of the Vacation Rental World Summit
• Cynthia Chan , co-founder of Airhosts Forum (the largest Airbnb host forum online)
• Karen Spencer , founder of The Business of Holiday Rental

Prefer a downloadable template? Scroll to the bottom of the page to download our customizable Short-Term Rental Business Plan PDF !

Step 1. Executive summary

For people outside Fortune 500 companies, writing an “executive summary” can be a bit scary. However, it’s a lot simpler than you may think!

An executive summary is just a few sentences that summarize your vacation rental business and includes all the essential information you want to get across. This is so that anyone can read the first page of your plan and know, at a glance, what your business entails.

Start by asking yourself the famous five Ws:

• Where is your vacation house located? By the beach, in the middle of the city, or in the countryside?
• What is it? A family vacation home, a glamping accommodation, or an ideal spot for business travelers?
• Who is it for? Families , couples , or large groups of friends?
• When is it best to stay at your rental? The summer, winter, or year-round?
• Why do you have this property? Is this a spare room you’re renting out for extra cash, a way to top up your pension if you’re retired, or your main form of income?

Answering these questions will help you outline what information you would like to include in your executive summary. You can then rewrite your responses to make sure your summary sounds professional.

Note: If you are still unsure about the details of your executive summary, feel free to do it at the end of your business plan—it’s a case of saving the best until last!

Step 2. Business goals

Your executive summary is going to give you a broad overview of where your business is going, but the goals section will help to further solidify this vision. Goals are what help you to set markers for what success in your business looks like.

Are you satisfied with a couple of bookings a month, or are you expecting a full reservation calendar by the end of the year? You’ll need to set goals to help pin this down.

What’s more, make sure your business goals are SMART: smart, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

Step 3. Value proposition

As with any business, you’ll need to state why customers are going to choose your business. It’s difficult to take yourself out of the equation when evaluating your business. After all, you’ve poured your blood, sweat, and tears into this project, so why wouldn’t guests choose you?

No amount of effort is enough if it’s not adding any value to your vacation rental. Consider how your vacation rental will provide a guest experience that the other properties in your area simply can’t provide.

Step 4. Company analysis

In this section, you should aim to explain the unique selling points (USPs) of your new vacation rental business, outlining what it will bring to the existing market.

Start by asking a few simple questions to figure out how you’re different (and better) than other rental properties out there. After all, once you are confident in your strengths, your guests will be, too!

Here are a few examples:

Is it better than others because of its location?

• Is it close to the beach?
• Main public transport lines?
• Is it off-the-grid?

Is the price of your accommodation better?

• Are you the cheapest accommodation around?
• Are you the best value?
• Do you offer discounts at certain times of the year?

Are the interiors of your property different or better than the rest?

• Do you offer a cozy, rustic getaway?
• Do you offer a fireplace where a family can sit at night?
• Is it a themed vacation rental ?

Step 5. Industry analysis

If you want to be successful in the rental business industry, you’ll need to be strategic and competitive in your company management plan. So, this section is where you state some key facts about current trends and expectations.

One of the ways to do this is by carrying out an industry analysis. This is basically looking at other vacation rental businesses and evaluating them.

Here are some sample questions that will help start your industry analysis:

What do vacation rentals near me charge per night?

• Would you class it as affordable or good value?
• Is it less than $50 per night? Or Is it more than $300?
• Think about the figures you come up with in relative terms, weighing the value of what the business is offering against the price they charge. This will help you start to price competitively.

Who is their target audience and clientele?

• Are they families ?
• Couples looking for a romantic break?
• Do they target students and school groups who need large but basic accommodations?

Are they luxury units or more basic rentals?

• Are they upmarket rentals in the most expensive parts of your area?
• Or are they modest vacation home rentals that students could afford?
• Do the rentals tend to fall in one end of the price range, leaving a gap in the market?

Are they self-catered or Bed & Breakfast?

• Do they offer a light breakfast?
• Or do they offer a breakfast buffet?

What websites/agencies do they use for bookings and advertisements?

• Are all your competitors advertising on Airbnb , Vrbo , etc.?
• Do they collaborate with local tourism agencies?
• Are they all missing out on a popular booking website that only you know about?

“I recommend owners to focus on profit per booking, not occupancy rates. We’re in it to make money, not fill as many nights as possible (that comes next). We could all be 100% full if we undervalued what we were offering. That doesn’t make good business sense. Be prepared to spend more when you first start out, to bring a quality product to the market. You’ll soon reap the rewards this investment in your future business will bring.” – Karen Spencer

Step 6. Customer analysis

Your customers—or rather, your guests—are how you are going to make your money. That’s why it’s important to understand and target them properly.

In your plan, create different buyer personas based on the types of guests you want to attract. This is like a profile of your ideal customer, from age to income. You should try to make it as detailed as possible because it will help your business grow later.

Creating buyer personas starts with a customer analysis. A customer analysis is just getting to know your customers and what they want and need from a rental property and a vacation.

Here are some key questions you should ask yourself about your ideal guest:

• What’s their name? It may seem silly to name a fictional person, but it will bring your customer analysis to life and help you imagine the buyer persona.
• What do they work as? For example, are they a high-flying banker, a medical professional, or an educator?
• How old are they? Think in terms of age ranges: 18-25, 25-40, and 40-60, and 60+.
• Do they have a family? If so, how many children do they have?

Keep going with questions like this until you’ve built an entire profile of the person. This will then help you understand their values, spending habits, common complaints, and amenities they’ll be looking for.

Getting anxious to dive in? Scroll to the bottom of the page to download our customizable Vacation Rental Business Plan PDF and get started!

Step 7. Competitive analysis

Another element of your vacation rental property business plan is conducting competitor research. Take a look at the market to find your direct competitors and analyze them to see how your business can thrive.

Competitive analysis is similar to industry analysis, but this time you’re going to focus on your immediate competitors rather than the industry as a whole. For example, if your short-term rental is a house by the beach, your direct competitors would be other accommodation providers on the beach.

With competitive analysis, you want to look at the people who may win a booking over you and use what you find to put yourself on top. Ask questions such as the following:

How much are my competitors charging per night?

• Competitor 1 – $100
• Competitor 2 – $150
• Competitor 3 – $200

Using this information, you may decide to drop your prices below $100 to become the cheapest option among your competitors and increase your booking rates.

What standard of accommodation do they offer?

• Are they all standard camping sites?
• Or are they high-end units?
• Are they somewhere in between, suitable for most travelers?

Do they offer airport transfers/pick-up service?

• Yes, but for a very high price.
• Yes, and for a reasonable price.

Do they offer a wide range of amenities in the house?

• No, most don’t even offer Wi-Fi.
• Yes, some offer basic things like a washing machine and television.
• Yes, all offer basic amenities, and some even include luxury amenities (like a swimming pool or gym).

Step 8. Operations plan

The operations plan is simply an insight into how you’re going to run your new business on a day-to-day basis. It will consider whether you will hire any staff, what standards you will set, and how you will keep track of inventory and other administrative duties.

This will be one of the most straightforward parts of your business plan. Chances are, you already have all of this planned.

Here are a few helpful prompts and examples in case you get stuck:

Am I going to hire any staff?

• No, I’m only renting out one room in my home, which I can do myself.
• Yes, I’m renting out several large apartments, and I have a separate, full-time job.
• No, my partner and I will do the work together.

Who is going to clean the rentals between guests?

• A cleaning agency?
• A neighbor?

Do I need to hire an accountant to help me handle the finances of my business?

• No, I’m comfortable dealing with all of those things.
• Yes! I don’t know the first place to start when dealing with taxes or business records.

Who will deal with bookings and customer complaints?

• Myself, with only one room it will be very manageable.
• I will hire an assistant to help with all of this administration stuff, I won’t have time!
• My daughter/son, it will be a good part-time job for them to give them an allowance.

To keep things simple, you can also use solutions such as Lodgify’s property management software and channel manager .

Step 9. Marketing plan

Explain which strategies you will use to advertise your business and generate bookings. Think about both online and offline marketing , as well as any campaigns or promotions you plan to run externally.

This is when your buyer persona (which you created earlier) will come in handy. If you know the people you’re trying to target, you’ll know what websites they use and what type of marketing will be suitable for them.

Your marketing strategy can be really diverse. Here are some questions to help you sketch it out:

What methods of online marketing should I use?

• I will just list my bookings on one travel website because that is enough for me.
• I will have my own, personal vacation rental website . My site, my rules!
• I have several properties to rent, so I will list them on several vacation rental websites to increase traffic and booking numbers.
• I will pay for Google Ads in my local area.

What methods of offline marketing should I use?

• None, online marketing will be enough for me.
• I will print flyers and leave them in local tourist offices.
• I will give each guest business cards and ask them to recommend me to friends and colleagues.

Do I have a website?

• No, I don’t want/need to create one.
• No, but I want one! I need to hire someone to create one for me or try a professional website builder .
• Yes, I have one, and I’m going to hire a search engine optimization specialist to help me increase the number of visits to it.

Do I have business cards ?

• No, I don’t need any.
• Yes, I have some but I won’t use them.
• Yes, I have some, and I’m going to use them as part of my marketing strategy.

“While I’m not sure there is a one-formula-fits-all, there are a few things that helped me: a great website, awesome warm-hearted, personal communication skills, finely tweaked standards, procedures and operations, an open mind and willingness to widen your horizon by questioning what you’ve achieved and learning what’s next. Because we are in an ever-changing and challenging world and only those willing to adapt to the changes will survive.” – Antonio Bortolotti

Step 10. Task delegation and employee management plan

It pays off to dream big, but make sure you have the capacity to do so. How will you manage guest turnover if you’re planning to rent your property every night? Better yet, who will manage guest turnover?

Depending on the scale, your goals will take some serious work to get there. Make sure you’ve factored in how you will manage it alone or how you plan to delegate tasks.

If you know that you’ll need to hire some staff, be it a property manager, cleaning service , or maintenance person, you’ll have to plan for how you’re going to distribute and delegate the work. Using task management tools and including them in your business plan outline will help you to make the most of your teams’ efforts.

“In such a demanding and dynamic industry as ours, finding the right combination of software that aligns with your individual business needs is key to accomplishing all this. And it’s not easy.” – Antonio Bortolotti

Step 11. Distribution plan

Websites like Airbnb and Vrbo are referred to as online travel agencies , or OTAs. For all new hosts, presence on OTAs and listing sites is essential to get bookings.

Your distribution plan should consider which channels you’ll be advertising on, how much they’ll cost you, and how you’ll manage them (hint: you might need a channel manager ).

Here are some helpful example questions to get you started writing a distribution plan:

Which OTAs do I want to list my property on?

• Every OTA that is available? I need lots of bookings!

How much will this cost me?

• Is it free?
• Do you have to pay monthly to list on these websites?
• Do they take a commission off bookings you receive from that website?

Are there any tools available to help me manage all of this?

• Yes! A channel manager .
• A channel manager is a tool you can use to ensure all of your bookings, dates, and arrangements remain in one place so you don’t get overwhelmed managing calendars from multiple OTAs.

When I do get a booking, how will I receive the payment?

• PayPal account.
• Bank transfer.
• Cash/card payments directly from guests upon arrival.

“If a host’s goal is to maximize their revenue and bookings, it definitely makes sense to list on several platforms. Based on research from one of our partners, Tokeet, they found that some of their hosts had reported a 20% increase in bookings once they used a channel manager to list across several home-sharing sites. I would recommend that if a host is listing across several platforms, they should utilize a channel management program to make it easier to manage their listings and their calendars so they don’t double book.” – Cynthia Chan

Step 12. Revenue management plan

So, this is the numbers part. But don’t worry— revenue management is not as scary as it sounds!

In this section, you’ll have to include information about the rates you plan to charge for your vacation rental, alongside any details about pricing or yield management tools you will use.

For people who feel overwhelmed by this, there are a lot of tools and software out there to help. To start with, we’ve written some quick questions to cover the basics of your revenue management plan to make sure your accounts and business stay well in the green.

How much will I charge per night?

• Fixed price: $100 per night.
• I’ll use dynamic pricing , increasing the amount during busy periods.
• I’m still undecided.

Pro tip: Lodgify Dynamic Pricing uses an algorithm that factors in 40+ listing attributes, market conditions, and local trends to automatically optimize your nightly rates.

What level of taxes will I have to pay to the government?

• I’m not sure. I need to research this before writing my revenue management plan.

How much will my utilities cost?

• Water is $50 a month.
• Trash collection is $30 a month.
• Electricity will vary depending on how many guests I’ll have.

What will my staff costs be?

• Zero, I’m doing all of the work myself.
• Low, I’m paying my teenage children an allowance to help me with some household chores.
• High, I’m going to hire a cleaning agency, a marketing specialist, a website developer, etc.

What’s my target monthly income?

• Anything above $0 at the beginning?

“Set stretching yet realistic prices. Quality holiday homes can charge more (because they are worth more) than an average place. When it comes to setting your prices, you need to know what it costs you to welcome each set of guests and work up from there, ensuring a healthy profit per booking every time. The more you charge per week, the more revenue per booking, yet your changeover costs, your marketing costs, your time spent, will be the same.” – Karen Spencer

Step 13. Financial plan

Think about how you are going to finance your new business. As with anything in life, proper budgeting will prevent future stress and help your business thrive.

So, what kind of information makes up a financial plan?

Will I need to take out a loan?

• No, I’m just renting out an existing property with everything ready to go.
• Yes, I will need a small loan to renovate this property.
• Yes, I will need a substantial loan to purchase the property/land where I’m going to build my rental.

What will the interest rates be?

Do I have savings I’m ready to invest into it?

• I don’t want to put my savings into it.
• Yes, I have a small amount that I’ll use for redecoration.
• Yes, I have lots of savings that I’ve been keeping for a project like this!

What level of monthly loan payments can I manage?

• None, my business has small incomings, so I don’t want to take a loan.
• $100 for a small loan?
• $750+ for substantial mortgage repayments?

“Not factoring in the cost of educating yourself is a luxury you can’t afford. The reason I’m part of online communities (I go to industry conferences like VRMA and I put together the Vacation Rental World Summit ) is because I’m the first one to not know everything.

I’m aware that if I want my business to thrive while this industry changes and crashes, I need to stay informed on what’s changing, adjust my strategies accordingly, and be prepared for what’s coming.” – Antonio Bortolotti

Step 14. Key milestones and business future

Write down your plans and goals for your business, plus what key milestones will help you achieve these targets.

When you start any project, whether it is going back to university, exercising, or starting a business, it is really important to track your progress. This section will be useful to refer back to and ensure you’re on the right track.

Here are some good milestones to use for your rental business:

How much do I want to make each month?

• $500? $750? $3.000?
• This answer will be linked to your financial plan, so this is a good time to go back and look at what you wrote down in Step 10.

How many guests do I want in the first quarter?

• As many as possible—I know I’m still in the beginning.

What rate of growth do I want in my bookings year-on-year?

• I’ll figure this out in the second year. I’m just getting started at the moment.

How many returning clients do I want each year?

• At least 10?
• More than 20—I’m confident in the service I provide.
• As many as possible!

“The biggest hurdle that Airbnb hosts have to get through in their first few years of business is to get enough reviews so that guests are comfortable staying at your listing. The more reviews you have, the higher your listing appears in the search results as well, so the biggest focus for hosts should be to get as many good reviews as possible.” – Cynthia Chan

Step 15. Vacation rental business plan: appendix

The appendix in your vacation rental business plan should include all of the relevant documents you have for your business, containing the vital information you need to keep things running.

For example, ask yourself:

• What’s the number for a plumber, just in case I have problems with the pipes?
• Where are my tax registration details?
• Have I kept receipts of all of the things purchased for my business recently?
• Have I backed up my online bookings and calendar somewhere?

Scroll to the bottom of the page to download our customizable Short-Term Rental Business Plan PDF and get started!

Vacation rental business plan: tips and tricks

So, you followed the 15 steps above. Now you’re done, right?

Well, not quite. With the industry growing increasingly competitive, it pays off to follow a few additional tips to get a competitive edge:

• It’s all about the timing. Writing a business plan before buying the rental home is advisable, so you can truly judge if it is a worthwhile investment and business venture.
• You get back what you put in. If you invest time, money and effort into your business, you will reap financial and personal rewards. And to be number one, you need to invest more effort and time than your competitors.
• Quality over quantity. Don’t forget that most people will choose value over price, so don’t compromise one for the other.
• Get yourself out there. The more places you advertise your business (your own website , third-party platforms , social media , etc.), the more bookings you’re going to get.
• Enjoy yourself! The old saying that you’ll never work a day in your life if you love what you do is completely true with vacation rentals. And the more you enjoy yourself, the better the experience will be for guests.

“Quality is essential in everything you do. From the product you bring to the market to the excellent customer service you offer your guests.” – Karen Spencer

Common mistakes found in short-term rental business plans

For many hosts, owning a vacation rental is their first business venture. So, it’s all too easy to make mistakes along the way. Here are some of the most common mistakes to look out for:

• Targeting everyone: We know you want to welcome as many guests as possible. Still, you should avoid trying to attract all guest types, as it might lead to attracting none. Instead, define your target customers based on your value proposition.
• Ignoring the competition: Evaluate your competitive edge in price, value, style, and availability to see where you need to improve. Recognize that rivals may outdo you, even if you believe your rental is the best.
• Making an unrealistic finance plan: Avoid overestimating revenue and underestimating the budget. You may have big goals, but maintain a realistic approach to financial planning.
• Assuming standard home insurance covers you: Include vacation rental insurance , and specifically a policy tailored for vacation rental owners, in your business plan to ensure proper coverage.

Download our free vacation rental business plan template

Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry!

All you have to do is download our free vacation rental business plan sample below and fill in your own information. Our handy guide includes all of the questions you need to ask yourself before starting your new venture.

Hi, Amazing article to learn from basics to advanced in vacation rental business. Thanks for sharing this wonderful article with us.

Fantastic article Jess as always. Even though we’re on our 2nd property and they both are doing well we are going to go back and go through the steps in the business plan. I bet it will help us refine our ideas for moving forward. Thanks again!

Well… consider yourself added to my blogroll. I have like six other blogs I read on a weekly basis, guess that number just increased to seven! Keep writing!

What kind of insurance is available?

Hi Dorothy,

I suggest you check out our article about the different types of vacation rental insurance available. You’ll find it here .

Riley & The Lodgify Team

Thanks for sharing this useful information! Hope that you will continue with the kind of stuff you are doing.

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Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template

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Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to your most frequently asked questions:.

Immediately upon purchasing Growthink’s Ultimate Airbnb Business Plan Template, you will be taken to our Member’s Area where you can instantly download our template and begin working on your business plan.

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Yes, Growthink’s Ultimate Airbnb Business Plan Template works flawlessly on both PCs and Macs.

Growthink’s Ultimate Airbnb Business Plan Template is designed for both established Airbnbs and startups.

Yes , you can! Anyone can easily follow our basic instructions and create a great business plan quickly and easily. Plus, my expert team is available to help you if you have any questions.

More Feedback

Even more feedback from the over 100,000+ customers who love growthink’s ultimate airbnb business plan template & other business plan templates.

“Before Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template, I was really frustrated.

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“Hi Dave, You are a wonder. Your Financial Business Modelling put in the Excel format is an excellent way to make entrepreneurs understand the basic concept of finances. Your direct involvement and assistance in my case is very much appreciated. “

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“Thank you for creating a template par excellence. It’s one of the best ‘Business Plan’ templates that I’ve ever come across.”

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“Dave Lavinsky really understands how to create compelling business plans and raise capital, and his products succeed in infusing this knowledge.”

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Money blog: The 24-minute rule - What time you should actually arrive at cinema to avoid adverts

We've gathered information from the UK's major cinema chains and spoken to experts about how long you can expect adverts and trailers to run until the main event actually begins. Read this and the rest of our Weekend Money content below and we'll be back on Monday with live updates.

Saturday 8 June 2024 19:46, UK

Weekend Money

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By Narbeh Minassian , news reporter

The time on your ticket is 7pm, but you already know it's not going to start then.

So, what time do you get to the cinema?

If you're arriving at 7.10pm, you're almost certainly safe, but any later and you may cut it fine.

Here, we've gathered information from the UK's major cinema chains and spoken to experts about how long you can expect adverts and trailers to run until the main event actually begins.

According to the Cineworld website, ads and trailers "normally last between 30-45 minutes before the actual film begins".

The cinema also asks customers to collect tickets at least 20 minutes before the listed time "to make the most of their visit".

There appears to be a shorter wait at Odeon, which claims advert and trailer length is "typically 15-25 minutes" - but this varies with each performance and can be "considerably less".

"We always recommend to avoid disappointment you arrive with enough time to enter the screen at the scheduled performance start time," the website says.

There's a wider range at Everyman, which says it plays 25 minutes' worth of adverts and trailers.

But beware - "the length of ads and trailers varies for special events and it can be between 15 and 40 minutes, subject to type of event".

There isn't any specific information on the website and we got no response when we reached out to them, but Showcase did respond to a customer on social media on this very question.

In a May 2022 tweet, the cinema said: "The advertised time is when the adverts/ trailers start and are approximately 20-25 minutes long before each show."

Vue offers a more precise window: "Please be aware that most films have around 20 to 25 minutes of ads and trailers before the feature starts."

Its only recommendation is to be in your seat at the time stated so you "don't take any chances in missing the start of your film".

'In general, it's 24 minutes'

Karen Stacey, the chief executive of Digital Cinema Media, which supplies advertisement for the likes of Odeon, Vue and Cineworld, told Sky News the wait is typically 24 minutes - 12 minutes for ads, and 12 for trailers.

This remains true whatever the film and whatever the time of day, with about 95% of DCM's schedules "exactly the same".

"It's very formulaic, that's what consumers are used to," she said. "By making it consistent in length, people are always happy to come and join in."

She said 24 minutes gives schedulers enough time to prepare the film and allow a more staggered entry for the audience - while also bringing in revenue.

Any longer than half an hour, though, is "rare".

"Cinemas want to have as many films in as possible and they want to be mindful they don't finish too late in the evening," Ms Stacey said.

"My experience working with them is they are quite strict."

Are there rules over the length?

As the above suggests, there aren't any set rules or procedures governing cinema advertising length.

Kathryn Jacob, chief executive of cinema advertising company Pearl & Dean, said the length was determined by the cinema.

"Some cinemas take only one ad, like the BFI IMAX, and the maximum length is determined by the cinemas themselves," she told Sky News.

"Factors determining the length depend on demand from advertisers and the films that a cinema might want to showcase to the audience that's at the screening via trailers."

Cinema policy is the key decider and she said research has shown audiences find advertising in cinema "part of the entertainment".

Do viewers like the adverts and trailers?

Ms Jacob may have a point.

According to research published by DCM , advertising in cinemas is more effective than in any other media.

For a 60-second advert in the cinema, viewers will watch 48 seconds, which is a far higher proportion than TV or social media.

It is also highly trusted, with DCM citing a survey by IPA Touchpoints claiming nearly 100% of respondents say they trust what they see in the cinema - for comparison, 75% trust TV adverts.

Avid cinema-goer Bill Boswell, who pays £18 a month for an unlimited pass at Cineworld on the Isle of Wight, said he was happy to wait.

"I know that these adverts help pay for the cinema to run," he told Sky News. "The cinema is my place to escape, so it's good for my mental health and I would not want to lose it.

"If I watch at home, I can sometimes reach for my mobile phone, but a film on the big screen would get my 100% attention, so I just accept the pre-show adverts."

But what are the drawbacks?

The main thing Mr Boswell considers is his car, as his nearest Cineworld offers three hours of free parking.

"I would sometimes plan on 30 minutes of trailers and work back so I can fit the free parking in, as the cinema costs enough already," he said.

"If the film is more than two and a half hours, I park outside town and walk to the cinema."

Consumer expert Martin Lewis raised parking tickets as one of the issues in a 2019 tweet, in which he said he waited 33 minutes for a film to start.

Responding to one user, he said greater clarity would help customers to save on parking tickets and babysitting, while giving "legitimate expectation".

"And there's no rigorous research that prices [cinema tickets] would go up - they're often set by market demand," he added.

Are there alternatives?

If you want to avoid the pre-show altogether, your best bet might be independent or community cinemas.

Draycott Community Cinema, for example, is the only cinema in the Somerset village and is run by volunteers.

Committee member Chloe Haywood told Sky News they are always debating how long to make their pre-show.

They try to keep it to two short trailers, often without any adverts - though they are planning to find a sponsor later this year.

"We do find that it sets the audience up for the screening," she said, referring to their brief pre-show.

"We don't have trailers for long. They're to advertise the next two films, any local news that might be of interest, and then standard 'switch off your phones' type info."

We had a lot of feedback after our in-depth look at why concert ticket prices are so high these days...

Here's some of what you said...

Why do arenas and sports events have to charge so much for food and drinks? Over £8 a pint is absolutely scandalous and opportunistic greed. Britain is an absolute rip off. Lee J

In the same way that football has been gentrified, music is being steered towards the rich and middle class - real fans like me are no longer wanted by agents like Ticketmaster. Frontman

The ones responsible are the ones paying the prices like with coffee shops and other consumer products. Stop paying stupid prices, they won't charge them! Toby

Why are resale tickets allowed to be tripled or quadrupled? Recently offered a David Gilmour ticket for £600??? Springbok

1970... $7.50 to see Elvis at his prime in Vegas. The greatest entertainer ever. 2020... £300 to see Taylor Swift. The most overrated singer around today.  I know who got the best deal there! Steve Elliott

A quick calculation shows $7.50 in 1970 is the equivalent of $60.61 today.

Next, a brief mention of Subway's decision to change its ordering process in all stores to electronic kiosks by the end of the year...

Some readers complained in our comments box but when we asked our followers on LinkedIn whether they liked or loathed self-service via a screen, this was the result...

Another post that got you exercised contained quotes from the boss of Emirates comparing Heathrow to a Second World War airport ...

There wasn't much love for the UK's biggest airport from readers - or for any other airport across the country...

There need to be a lot of change at Heathrow! Specially with immigration checks. The long queues are killing me, someone can't wait 2hrs in a queue to get a clearance, it's absurd! Cheka

Heathrow is not the only one. Coming back to UK through Gatwick yesterday was a sobering experience. Tatty floor covering, scuffed and drab paint everywhere. Wall graphics lacking any imagination or vibrancy. Narrow walkways and corridors. Doesn't show the UK in a good light all. Frequent traveller

Heathrow a Second World War airport? Try coming off a plane with 300 others at Leeds Bradford and queueing outside in the cold and pouring rain trying to shuffle in through a small door that looks like it used to be an emergency exit. How difficult can it be to erect something? Paula Blue

I totally disagree Heathrow is as bad as the president says. Has he ever visited Manchester Airport? AJ

A major HMRC glitch on Monday meant 500,000 families did not get their child benefit on time. Multiple readers wrote in with their views...

So they will be paying compensation then? As they would fine us for late payments... Cybertuck

HMRC? Apologise? Due to an error by working tax credits, I've only just been paid six years' worth. And as to child maintenance payments… I can't even begin to discuss that without crying. LWE

Is there any government IT system in this country that works as it should? Tudor1

I don't have children, very sadly, but if I were told that HMRC were "sorry" for this glitch I would probably feel very violent. We get a lot of apologies these days which mean absolutely nothing (regrettably). Gillydhill

Confirming the problem had been fixed late on Monday afternoon, HMRC said: "We are very sorry some customers didn't receive their scheduled child benefit payments as expected and we understand the concern and difficulty this may have caused. 

"We've fixed the problem and affected customers will now receive their payments on Wednesday morning."

The news agenda this week has been dominated by election campaigning - with the first leaders' debate taking place on Tuesday night.

It saw Rishi Sunak cheer his supporters with the repeated claim that Labour would put up taxes by £2,000.

Sir Keir Starmer was, most observers thought, far too slow to respond - but the claim began to unravel the next day.

Data and economics editor Ed Conway's analysis of the Tory calculations suggested the £2,000 rise was actually spread out over four years - so £500 a year may have been a more suitable number for the PM to throw at his opponent.

Concluding his piece, Conway said you "probably shouldn't" believe the figures - but if you used the same methodology as the Tories, it would show they had put up taxes by £3,000 a year over the course of this parliament. Or £13,000, if you wanted to present the numbers in the same way as Mr Sunak did during the debate. 

Read Conway's full analysis here ...

Some distance from Westminster, the 20 countries that use the euro saw an interest rate cut this week - the European Central Bank moving before the US Fed and Bank of England.

A cut in the UK is currently priced in by markets for September - in the meantime, British holidaymakers could benefit from a weaker euro against the pound.

Business presenter Ian King says a potential weakening of the euro could have wider implications.

He explained: "It comes with risks, not least in terms of pushing up the cost of imports - particularly energy, which is priced in dollars, which could in turn push up inflation."

The price of exports into the US could go down - potentially undercutting American firms.

King went on: "A weaker euro would also carry risks in a US election year in which both Joe Biden and Donald Trump, his challenger, will be seeking to out-bid each other with protectionist policies."

Read his full analysis here ...

The Money blog is your place for consumer news, economic analysis and everything you need to know about the cost of living - bookmark news.sky.com/money.

It runs with live updates every weekday - while on Saturdays we scale back and offer you a selection of weekend reads.

Check them out this morning and we'll be back on Monday with rolling news and features.

The Money team is Bhvishya Patel, Jess Sharp, Katie Williams, Brad Young and Ollie Cooper, with sub-editing by Isobel Souster. The blog is edited by Jimmy Rice.

The BBC's content arm is among the suitors vying to buy the television production company which owns the rights to The Gruffalo.

Sky News has learnt that BBC Studios is participating in a sale process for Magic Light Pictures, which has won three BAFTAs and secured a quartet of Oscar nominations.

The auction is being run by Gotham Street, a specialist media deals boutique.

A number of other bidders are also said to be involved in the process given the quality of Magic Light's content library, which includes a number of works by The Gruffalo's creators, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The Gruffalo has become one of Britain's best-known children's characters, telling the story of an adventurous mouse that fends off a series of would-be predators by telling them about a supposedly imaginary creature called a gruffalo.

In the 2011 sequel, The Gruffalo's Child, the mouse then scares off a young gruffalo by using shadows to project a giant version of itself.

The two films have been distributed internationally by Magic Light, and along with the original Gruffalo books have sparked substantial merchandising revenues as well as a theme park attraction at Chessington World of Adventures.

The woman alleged to be the inspiration for the stalker in hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer is suing the streaming platform for $170m (£133m).

The show is said to be based on the real-life experiences of writer Richard Gadd, who plays himself as he copes with stalker Martha Scott.

Fiona Harvey, 58, claims she is the inspiration for Martha, who begins stalking Gadd after he serves her a free cup of tea in the pub where he works.

In the lawsuit, Ms Harvey has accused Netflix of spreading "brutal lies", including that she is a "twice convicted stalker who was sentenced to five years in prison".

"Defendants told these lies, and never stopped, because it was a better story than the truth, and better stories made money," it states.

"As a result of defendants' lies, malfeasance and utterly reckless misconduct, Harvey's life had been ruined."

Sky News's US partner network NBC News reports the lawsuit described the show's claim "this is a true story" as "the biggest lie in television history".

"Netflix destroyed a woman, claiming, among many allegations, that she was a convicted woman," Richard Roth, a lawyer for Ms Harvey, wrote in an email.

"It never contacted her. It never checked the facts. It never made any effort to understand the truth of its 'true story!'"

The lawsuit seeks actual damages and compensatory damages at $50m (£39m) each, punitive damages at $20m (£16m); as well as "all profits" from Baby Reindeer at $50m (£39m).

A Netflix spokesperson told Sky News: "We intend to defend this matter vigorously and to stand by Richard Gadd's right to tell his story."

Administrators to The Body Shop are aiming to clinch a sale of the stricken cosmetics retailer by the end of the month, even as its former owner veers away from making an offer for it.

Sky News' city editor Mark Kleinman has learnt that FRP Advisory, which was appointed to handle the chain's insolvency in January, has asked for indicative bids by next Tuesday.

British entrepreneur Mike Lynch has been cleared of all charges by a US jury in the high-profile fraud case related to the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.

Dr Lynch, who was extradited to the US to face trial just over a year ago, was acquitted alongside a former finance executive Stephen Chamberlain who had faced the same charges.

They were accused of conspiracy and attempted fraud over the £8.3bn sale to HP - a deal that has been the subject of costly legal action since.

Labour is promising to get more young people on the housing ladder as it announces its "freedom to buy" scheme on Friday.

The party is pledging to make the existing mortgage guarantee scheme - which sees the government act as a guarantor for people unable to save big deposits - into a permanent fixture if it wins the election on 4 July.

Meanwhile, the Tories are promising a tax cut for parents by raising the threshold for when families have to pay a levy on their child benefit.

The current system means if either parents or a parent's partner earns more than £60,000, they begin paying the high income child benefit tax charge, and lose the benefit altogether when a salary hits £80,000.

But if the Tories win the election on 4 July, they have promised to increase the threshold to £120,000 before any tax is paid, and to £160,000 before the benefit is withdrawn, as well as base it on a household income, rather than an individual.

Ever wanted to own your own Victorian island fort?

Well now you can - with two being listed with a guide price of £1m.

Spitbank Fort in Hampshire and No Man's Land Fort off the Isle of Wight have been listed for auction and can be bought separately - or as a pair if you can't pick between the two.  

During the Second World War, the forts were used to defend the Portsmouth dockyards. 

No Man's Fort is substantially bigger and probably presents itself more as a business opportunity, but Spitbank offers nine large bedroom suites across three floors and could potentially work as a private home to the right buyer. 

No Man's Fort has its own traditional English pub, a nightclub, and a helipad, while Spitbank Fort naturally boasts a wine cave plus a swimming pool and spa complex.

"Throughout my career as an auctioneer I've seen several sea forts hit the market that have achieved impressive prices as buyers have sought to pursue these trophy assets," said Robin Howeson, head of Savills Auctions.

"Having been carefully restored by the current owners, No Man's and Spitbank Fort represent exceptional market value, each guided at £1m. 

"Both offer an opportunity like no other; a waterfront location, up to 99,000sq ft of space and a chance to champion the heritage and legacy of these iconic maritime structures."

The auction takes place on 18 June. 

If you missed out on the general sales but want to bag yourself a last-minute ticket to Taylor Swift's show in Edinburgh tonight , it could set you back a whopping £4,000. 

Not to fear, however, as it is currently possible to land yourself a ticket for as little as £271 - if you settle for a somewhat restricted view. 

We've checked resale giant Viagogo for the latest prices, accurate as of 10.30am. 

As is often the case with popular tours listed on resale sites, many of the tickets are sold individually - so if you're happy to go alone tonight, you're more likely to get a ticket. 

For context, a ticket at general sale cost somewhere between £80-£160 depending on where you sit/stand. 

As it stands, the cheapest seat with an unrestricted view of the stage is currently up for sale at £323.

Just one ticket is up for £271, but has a "restricted view". 

Bringing a crowd

If you're looking to take someone with you, the cheapest pair of tickets without any restricted view will cost you a combined £1,706.

However, if you're happy with a restricted or limited view, you can pay the cheaper price of £538 for the pair (£269 each). 

You can buy up to four tickets in the same area for £303 each (£1,212 together) for a restricted view, or £555 each (£2,220 together) for an unobstructed view of the stage. 

Getting closer to the action 

Standing tickets are much sought after given their proximity to the stage. 

As alluded to at the top of this post, one frankly optimistic reseller has listed four general admission tickets for a staggering £4,256 each (in the "floor" section shown in the map below). 

However, you can get even closer - with one ticket remaining in the separate section to the left of the stage at £651 and another to the right at £559. 

A word of caution

Ticket resale sites, including Viagogo, have previously been accused of "ripping off" consumers amid concerns customers could be turned away at venues because of restrictions on some resold tickets.

The company was told in 2019 that it was required to make a number of changes to the way it collects and presents information about tickets on its site.

It has since pledged to be compliant with UK watchdogs and now offers a "100% order guarantee [which] covers both buyers and sellers".

If you're happy paying over the odds for last-minute tickets, make sure you're buying through a site with such a guarantee and always beware of scams!

House prices in the UK dropped by 0.1% between April and May, data from mortgage lender Halifax shows.

Analysts had expected a drop of around 0.2%, while last week, rival lender Nationwide said its measure of house prices rose in May after falling in the previous two months.

In the 12 months to May, prices rose by 1.5%, Halifax said - faster than the median forecast in a Reuters news agency poll for an annual increase of 1.2%.

"Market activity remained resilient throughout the spring months, supported by strong nominal wage growth and some evidence of an improvement in confidence about the economic outlook," Halifax's head of mortgages, Amanda Bryden, said.

The stable picture for property prices over the last three months was likely to give more confidence to buyers and sellers, she added. 

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