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I agree to treat everyone in the Airbnb community—regardless of their race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or age—with respect, and without judgment or bias. Creating an account on Airbnb requires agreeing to the platform’s Community Commitment. When Airbnb became aware of users making plans to attend a white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, the company took action to delete those accounts, and CEO Brian Chesky spoke out against Unite the Right, saying, “The violence, racism and hatred demonstrated by Neo-Nazis, the alt-right, and white supremacists should have no place in this world.”Jasper is joined by Hostfully marketing guru, Glenn Carter, to discuss Airbnb’s strong stance against the white nationalist philosophy. They also cover the latest in Airbnb’s ongoing conflict with the hotel industry, examining the Hotel Association of New York City’s hiring of a private security firm to hunt down illegal activity on the platform.But th

As children, we are taught to fear people we don’t know, and concerns about ‘stranger danger’ make potential Airbnb hosts hesitant about joining the platform. The good news is, there are a number of steps you can take to screen potential Airbnb guests that will ensure your safety – and improve the quality of the experience for guests who do make the cut!Tanner Henkel is an Airbnb Superhost out of Toronto. He moved to the city in November of 2016, and quickly realized that his new building in the heart of downtown was prime real estate for Airbnb. Tanner enlisted the help of his roommate as a co-host, and now he has the opportunity to travel – and earn a substantial income through Airbnb.After a frustrating experience with a guest who didn’t communicate his specific needs, Tanner developed a vetting process to protect his Airbnb business and verify that guests have appropriate expectations. Today he shares what he’s looking for in a guest profile, how he communicates with potential guests to ascertain their ne

Friends, foes and IPOs dominated Airbnb news this week. The company’s agreement with the city of Barcelona made headlines, as did its response to the New York hotel industry’s vicious attack ad with a powerful commercial of its own. Is Airbnb getting its proverbial ducks in a row in preparation for an IPO?Hostfully President and Co-Founder David Jacoby joins Jasper to talk through the comprehensive overview of Airbnb that hit the pages of Skift this week, exploring the company’s development and how its preparation to go public is likely affecting leadership’s decisions. They also address the details of the reconciliation with Barcelona and the ongoing rift with the hotel lobby, as well as a recently published Airbnb price comparison map of Europe. Spoiler alert: Macedonia may become a new vacation hotspot for travelers on a budget!David and Jasper close with the popular Q&A portion of the show, speaking to your concerns about the Airbnb Extenuating Circumstances Policy, a possible glitch in the new tool t

As rental prices continue to rise, more and more apartment residents are tempted to enlist Airbnb to help cover the cost – with or without the landlord’s permission. Luckily, a growing number of landlords recognize that permitting short-term rentals could increase their profits and attract new residents to their buildings. That’s where Pillow Residential comes in. This new product offering allows building owners to offer the Airbnb option as an amenity for residents, and Pillow in turn gives landlords transparency regarding who’s in their buildings and a cut of the profits.Sean Conway, Co-Founder and CEO of Pillow, has a huge passion for travel. After the sale of his first startup venture, Notehall, Sean backpacked all over the world, staying in Airbnb properties. Sean finds that he is his best self when he travels, when he has the opportunity to interact with other cultures, and he wanted to make it easier for others to afford to travel and feel that same human connection.Sean launched Pillow in San Francisc

The hotel lobby has crossed a line this week with an ominous ad linking Airbnb to terrorism. Airbnb spokesperson Peter Schottenfels referred to the commercial as ‘an outrageous scare tactic’ and argued that the big hotels sponsoring the ads have lodged terrorists themselves.Today Jasper is joined by Noah Neiman, Hostfully Co-Founder and Head of Product, to offer their takes on the tenuous argument made in the attack ad and share their recent adventures dealing with short-term rental hosts making unexpected requests. They also cover the incredible growth of Tujia, Airbnb’s Chinese competitor, and the staggering boost in Airbnb bookings associated with the solar eclipse taking place August 21st.Listen in to learn how Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky handles his lengthy to-do list, and how you might handle a bad review that stems from charging a guest for damages. Noah and Jasper conclude with a question from the Facebook group around Smart Pricing. Learn why Airbnb has an incentive to keep prices low and how you can use

So you’ve been hosting on Airbnb for a while now, and you’re loving it. Maybe you’re thinking about expanding your business to include an additional property, but you don’t have a ton of capital lying around. Is there any way to scale your Airbnb venture with a modest investment of, say, $10,000 or less? The answer is heck yes, and today’s guest shares how he is re-leasing rental properties via Airbnb, incorporating short-term rentals into his real estate business.With the help of a mentor, Eric Moeller started investing in real estate at the tender age of 18. Eric has a wealth of experience in house flipping, apartment buildings and real estate development, and he worked from the traditional landlord model until he sold his company in 2015. As Eric traveled the US that year – making use of Airbnb as a guest – he began to realize the investment potential of hosting. After looking at the numbers, he determined that he could double his ROI by pursuing short- rather than long-term rentals, and he developed a str

The Business Travel Ready distinction could translate to more bookings for your Airbnb as the company expands its partnership with software tool Concur. This big news means that business travelers can book Airbnb stays through Concur, giving hosts access to the 70% of Fortune 100 and 500 companies who are Concur customers.Today Jasper is on the line with Nicole Prentice Williams, Hostfully VP of Strategic Partnerships, to talk through Airbnb’s collaboration with Concur as well as Google’s test to include a link to vacation rentals in its hotel price-comparison tool. They also cover the latest numbers regarding Airbnb’s growth, as the company is slated to hit 100 million stays this year, and a new app called Pawshake that functions as an Airbnb for pets!Nicole and Jasper conclude with the Q & A portion of the podcast, answering your questions about providing guest manuals and boosting your position in Airbnb search results. Learn how move your listing to the front of the line and ultimately get more bookin

Branding is an aspect of the short-term rental game that many hosts overlook. And when you’re first getting started, you may not know what sets your listing apart from others in the area. But once you’ve had a few guests, it is possible to use their feedback to identify the most attractive aspects of your property and strategically incorporate that information into your listing. Today’s guest reveals how he got clear on his brand -- and a host of other lessons he learned in his 20-year career in the vacation rental space!Jack Pope got into hosting to supplement his income as a teacher. He converted an extra space in his home on the Sunshine Coast of western Canada into a suite, but zoning didn’t allow for long-term rentals. So Jack got connected with a group of vacation rental entrepreneurs, eventually becoming president of the largest B&B association in western Canada.An early adopter of technology in the short-term rental space, Jack made use of online platforms as they became available. Airbnb has beco

As ShareBetter ramps up its aggressive smear campaign against Airbnb, the platform is fighting back. This week Airbnb filed a formal complaint against the coalition, alleging that ShareBetter has failed to register as a lobbyist, disclose its funding sources, and file the required expense reports.Glenn Carter, Hostfully Director of Marketing, joins Jasper to discuss the showdown between ShareBetter and Airbnb, explaining how the coalition functions as a mouthpiece for the hotel industry. They also cover the exponential growth Airbnb is experiencing in London and the resolution to the incident of racism in Big Bear last year when an Airbnb host cancelled a reservation at the last minute because the guest was Asian American.To wrap up today’s episode, Glenn and Jasper address a question posed via the Facebook group around cleaning white bedding and towels. Listen in as they brainstorm ideas for keeping your whites white and your Airbnb looking spit spot spic and span!Topics CoveredArticle #1: Airbnb Bookings in

So you’ve invested in a property, finished the remodel, and now you are ready for tenants. Would it be more lucrative to pursue a long-term rental agreement? Or could you generate more revenue by listing the space on Airbnb?Ande Burchfield is an attorney with Burchfield Law, PLLC, serving businesses, non-profits, and real estate investors. Ande has an extensive real estate portfolio of her own, and she was already managing several long-term rental properties when she joined Airbnb in 2012. The vacation rental market in Oklahoma City proved profitable, and she has since expanded her short-term rental business to include three properties in the area. Ande is prepared to explain the formula she uses to determine whether a property is a good candidate for Airbnb, or would serve her better as a long-term rental. She also explains how to evaluate the demand for short-term rentals in your area, as well as the expenses associated with Airbnb that will affect your decision to rent to either travelers or lessees.Topics

‘Another Successful Airbnb Stay’ – said no headline ever.Though it’s a rare occurrence, when something bad happens in an Airbnb, it makes headlines. Unfortunately, an alarming incident took place at an Amsterdam listing this week when guests were late checking out, and an enraged host threw a woman down the stairs – while her friend filmed the confrontation.Jasper is joined by David Jacoby, President and Co-founder of Hostfully, to discuss a better way to handle the situation if guests are late checking out. They also cover a study naming Airbnb the most lucrative of the gig economy platforms, the new regulations under development in LA, and Airbnb’s plans to enter the luxury space in 2017.Finally, David and Jasper answer questions posed by the Facebook group around what consumables hosts should provide. They offer advice about buying in bulk, storing the excess, and offering inexpensive little things that make a big difference. Got a question for the Get Paid for Your Pad team? Email Jasper at jasper@getpaid

The safe approach to designing your space for Airbnb involves a very clean, sterile look complete with your basic IKEA furniture. But today’s guest prefers to offer his guests a more unique experience, and he personalizes his space with art, board games and a garden. His guide books include stories about how some of the artwork was acquired, and he is currently developing playbooks filled with activities and information catered to a specific type of guest. His ‘outdo yourself’ philosophy allows him to make the most of his Airbnb listings and help his guests feel at home.Joe is an entrepreneur and Airbnb host out of Denver. He grew up in New York City, where he was inspired by the arts and design. Joe has owned several businesses, including a skate shop and a pizza cooking school, and his diverse resume includes stints as a beekeeper and fourth grade teacher. He is world traveler and a real estate guru as well, and today he’s prepared to share how business practices translate to the world of Airbnb.Joe also ex

‘When you act out of fear, you shrink. When you act out of love, you grow.” –Tony RobbinsAs Jasper turns 40 this week, he is considering how the world views strangers. Rather than assuming the unfamiliar to be a danger or a threat, what if we assumed the best in people until proven otherwise? After all, it only takes one common acquaintance to turn someone from a stranger to a friend.The birthday boy is joined by Margot Lee Schmorak, CEO and Co-founder of Hostfully, to discuss how such a positive outlook supports the Airbnb model. They also cover the top vacation rental headlines in the news this week, including a story about a listing touted as the most unusual Airbnb in Britain and a new augmented reality app that could further improve the guest experience with how-to videos specific to your Airbnb!On a more serious note, Jasper and Margot offer the latest updates on regulations, as Paris joins London and San Francisco in requiring hosts to register with local authorities. And they wrap up with answers to l

If you have multiple listings on Airbnb, you might find a little-known feature called the Business Profile very useful. Today’s guest has three properties on the site – a house in Portugal, an apartment in Wellington, and a lifestyle property north of Wellington – and she is prepared to share the basics of the Business Profile as well as situations in which you might make use of it to grow your short-term rental business.Natalie Sisson, also known as The Suitcase Entrepreneur, has lived out of her suitcase since 2010, traveling the world while simultaneously running a wildly successful online business. Natalie is passionate about freedom, and she works on planes and in cafes, turning hotel rooms into podcast studios.Natalie had used Airbnb as a guest for years before taking the leap to become a host. She leverages her experience as a customer to provide a comfortable space for the travelers who book her properties. Today she shares her transition from guest to host on Airbnb, how she went about outsourcing th

Airbnb is tooting its own horn this week with the release of a report boasting the positive economic impacts of the platform in the US. The press release aligns with the company’s strategy to work with municipalities as they implement regulations on short-term rentals.Hostfully Director of Marketing, Glenn Carter, joins Jasper this week to review the economic benefits outlined in the report as well as other upgrades to the platform in the news this week, including a pilot program that allows guests to split payments and a premium tier program designed to appeal to the luxury rental market.They also discuss another startup in the space that is expanding its services as Pillow raises funds to launch a building management platform, and the story of a property owner in Barcelona who was forced to squat in her own flat! Finally, Jasper and Glenn answer your questions about cancelling bookings due to a family emergency. Don’t forget to email your questions to jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com!Topics CoveredArticle #1: W

If you have multiple listings on Airbnb, you might find a little-known feature called the Business Profile very useful. Today’s guest has three properties on the site – a house in Portugal, an apartment in Wellington, and a lifestyle property north of Wellington – and she is prepared to share the basics of the Business Profile as well as situations in which you might make use of it to grow your short-term rental business.Natalie Sisson, also known as The Suitcase Entrepreneur, has lived out of her suitcase since 2010, traveling the world while simultaneously running a wildly successful online business. Natalie is passionate about freedom, and she works on planes and in cafes, turning hotel rooms into podcast studios.Natalie had used Airbnb as a guest for years before taking the leap to become a host. She leverages her experience as a customer to provide a comfortable space for the travelers who book her properties. Today she shares her transition from guest to host on Airbnb, how she went about outsourcing th

Can Airbnb have its cake and eat it too? With the company’s efforts to professionalize and provide guests with consistency, some hosts feel that the ‘sharing’ roots of the platform have been diminished. It is possible for Airbnb to function more like a hotel, yet maintain its signature personal touch?Jasper is joined by David Jacoby, Co-Founder and President of Hostfully, to discuss this week’s headlines regarding the Airbnb shift to promote best practices among its hosts, including that of the Instant Book feature – which is being upgraded to allow hosts more control.They also cover Airbnb’s acquisition of Trooly, a background check startup that will help protect users from bad actors and further professionalize the platform. Last but not least, Jasper and David answer listener questions about attracting bookings during low season. Remember, you can email your questions to jasper@getpaidforyourpad.com!Topics CoveredArticle #1: Can Airbnb Professionalize Without Losing the Personal Touch?•Airbnb plays up ‘sha

Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite!As Airbnb hosts, we share concerns around uninvited guests. If those uninvited guests are of the bed bug variety, a whole host of additional problems arise. Today’s guest dealt with a bed bug infestation in his Airbnb and lived to tell the tale!Hostfully Featured Host Mike Clairmont is a professional musician who loves to surf. Two years ago, he got the idea to rent a place on Venice Beach and list the property on Airbnb when he was touring. Within two weeks of posting his listing, Mike had more than half of the summer booked.Mike discovered the Get Paid for Your Pad book and podcast a few months ago, and has since used those resources to take his Airbnb to the next level. Today he shares his journey as an Airbnb host, including the harrowing chapter in which a bed bug infestation temporarily sidelined his business. Listen and learn how to prevent those pesky creatures from infiltrating your Airbnb, and get tips on choosing prime locations for Airbnb property investmen

Welcome! Making people feel comfortable and accepted is a focus of Airbnb, and one of the initiatives aligned with this goal is the Open Homes platform. In an announcement this week, the company revealed its intention to house 100,000 refugees in the next five years – 35,000 in Greece alone.Jasper welcomes Glenn Carter, Director of Marketing at Hostfully, to discuss the Open Homes announcement as well as Airbnb’s rollout of a new in-app tool for check-in. They also cover several stories of governments welcoming the economic boost Airbnb provides, while setting parameters regarding its use. Recent headlines include the legalization of Airbnb in Japan, very positive data out of Michigan, and new rules around short-term rentals in Toronto.A new startup called Misterb&b specifically welcomes LBGTQ guests, and our co-hosts debate the pros and cons of niche players fragmenting the market. Jasper and Glenn wrap up with a new Q&A segment that welcomes questions from Airbnb hosts. Listen in to learn how you mi

If you are looking to rent a property with the intention of being an Airbnb host, the question then becomes, how do you convince a landlord to allow for short-term rentals in your contract? Today’s guest is a veteran Airbnb host who is ready to share his strategy for securing negotiating power with property-owners, as well as other lessons he’s learned in his lengthy Airbnb hosting career.Roger Lee moved to Taipei in 2010 to assist with a property renovation project, converting a family home into studio apartments for rental. His ability to speak English gave him leverage as a property manager, securing short-term rentals through sites like Craigslist. With that experience under his belt, Roger set out on his own, renting properties that were candidates for renovation from willing landlords for short-term rental on Airbnb. He has worked his way up to nine listings, including his hip Taipei bachelor pad.Today Roger takes us on his journey to successful property management, sharing his advice for aspiring hosts