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The Best Airbnb Management Companies in America

Hiring one of the best Airbnb management companies for a rental can save homeowners time and headaches and unlock greater profits.

Best Overall

The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option Awning

Awning

Best for Large Properties

The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option AvantStay

AvantStay

Best Host Experience

The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option Rabbu

Rabbu

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Homeowners can sit back and earn revenue from their vacation rental while a property management company handles the day-to-day grind of operating it. Short-term rental management companies can act as watchful supervisors on behalf of the independent owners of the properties, helping to protect their investment. Airbnb property management often involves managing guest bookings, taking care of interior and exterior maintenance, marketing the property, coordinating housekeeping, and providing guest services during their stay.

But finding the perfect fit among home rental management companies can be stressful. There’s a growing list to choose from! Some rental management companies offer full-service management, while others offer half-service or more à la carte services in handling guest communications, marketing, cleaning services, maintenance, contracts, and more. Vacation rental management and condo management companies can also help price a rental property competitively to better the chances that the calendar remains full of guest bookings. A rental management company allows owners to more easily operate an Airbnb, even if they live miles away, as well as allows owners to more easily maintain a portfolio of revenue-feeding investment properties.

This guide identifies some of the best Airbnb management companies for outsourcing the many aspects of property management. Hiring a management company allows owners to take a step back from day-to-day operations and instead focus on the big picture—the revenues coming in from their investment.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Awning
  2. BEST FOR LARGE PROPERTIES: AvantStay
  3. BEST HOST EXPERIENCE: Rabbu
  4. BEST LUXURY SERVICES: Onefinestay
  5. BEST FOR INTERIOR DESIGN: Air Concierge
  6. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Evolve
  7. BEST LOCAL KNOWLEDGE: SkyRun Vacation Rentals
  8. BEST FOR LONG-TERM RENTALS: Casago
  9. ALSO CONSIDER: Vacasa
The Best Airbnb Management Companies Options
Photo: istockphoto.com

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best Airbnb Management Companies

With so many property management companies to choose from, owners will want to carefully consider the gamut of services each company offers as well as pricing and fees, cancellation contract options, and more as they narrow the list of Airbnb management companies to work with; some companies even offer interior design services, for example. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a management company.

Service Area

While the choices for nationally recognized property management companies are abundant, owners will find that many of these companies do not operate everywhere. First, to help narrow the list, owners will want to determine whether the management firm operates in their specific location. While companies may tout nationwide services, they may be limited in scope to a certain geographic area. For example, a company may have a presence in California, but it may only operate in the Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco metro areas, not other areas of the state. Also, owners may prefer to work with local property managers, who can be more in tune to the area’s regulations regarding short-term rentals as well as any seasonality changes that can influence pricing and bookings.

Company Experience and Presence

Owners will want to consider how long a company has been in business, which may serve as one indicator of its experience in this field. Owners may also want to know how many rentals the company manages. Smaller companies with fewer listings may have less experience, but they may be able to offer more focused or hands-on service. Owners can gauge the reputation of a company by reading online reviews from hosts to determine whether a particular firm may be a good fit for the types of services the owner is looking for.

Pricing and Fees

In general, Airbnb property management fees range from 15 to 35 percent of an owner’s monthly revenue. Half-service management—which may only include marketing the property and not other tasks like cleaning or maintenance—may offer lower service fees of about 10 percent. Some companies may operate on a commission-based structure, even taking up to 50 percent of the host revenue. Owners will want to carefully read and review the contract and be aware of any hidden fees.

Real Estate Services

Some Airbnb property management companies have real estate agents and brokers on their staff for assistance in identifying additional investment opportunities for their clients. Prospective owners—those who don’t even own one property yet—may find these companies helpful to identify properties as they begin their short-term rental pursuit. Others who already own a property may also desire to use these extra services to expand their rental portfolios. National companies also often offer these services, using proprietary data to pinpoint investment opportunities in communities. Local property management firms also may leverage their knowledge of a specific area to identify potential investment properties. These companies also may be more attuned to any seasonality changes and peak booking times of the area.

Interior Design Services

Some Airbnb property management companies offer an optional service for interior design and furnishing. They’ll guide owners on design choices or offer full-service furnishing. These extra fees can vary substantially, depending on the extent of furnishings or guidance needed, and can range anywhere from $100 to even $45,000 or more. Owners will want to inquire about all fees when gathering price quotes. Interior design services, however, can help increase interest in the listing online as well as customer satisfaction by offering up professionally styled spaces.

Additional Services

Airbnb property management companies may offer a range of extra services, such as pool maintenance, lawn care, repairs, home stocking, and even serving as a concierge to guests. These additional services can make the owner’s job even more hands-off and generate more interest and positive reviews from guests, thereby increasing an owner’s profits.

Contract Cancellation Options

Before signing a contract, owners will want to understand the terms fully and ensure they have a way out, just in case they need to terminate the agreement for any reason. Having a termination clause within the contract may be needed if unforeseen circumstances arise or an owner has the desire to sell the property and is no longer in need of the company’s management services. Some companies allow property owners the option to get out of a contract whenever they want. Others may charge a fee for breaking a contract, which could amount to thousands of dollars. Owners will want to review contracts closely before signing and before jumping in, they’ll want to know how to jump out (just in case!).

Our Top Picks

Most property management companies offer a number of services, such as listing optimization online for marketing the property, data-backed pricing guidance, guest communications and support; many also offer cleaning services, property inspections, maintenance, and access to online performance tracking and reporting. Some Airbnb management companies offer additional services such as interior design and furnishing, short-term rental licenses and permits, tax collection and remittance services, and vacation rental insurance. This guide reviews several of the abundant choices in Airbnb property management services that owners have available to them.

Best Overall

Awning

 The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option Awning
Photo: awning.com

Pros

  • Relatively low 15 percent starting management fee
  • Effective implementation of web search best practices in advertising rental listings
  • Reported 10 to 30 percent increase of host revenue per year
  • Pool, hot tub, and lawn maintenance offered
  • Real estate investment services offered
  • Whole-home interior design services offered

Cons

  • Contract cancellation policy information not readily available

Why It Made the Cut:

Awning casts a wide net online to capture more bookings for its hosts and covers a large geographic service area with relatively low pricing to allow hosts to take advantage of its many services.

Awning is a full-service Airbnb property management company that gives owners confidence their property is being watched over closely. It not only offers general management for rentals, but also marketing, maintenance, design services, and even assistance in finding additional Airbnb properties to invest in to help owners expand their rental portfolios. Another standout of Awning’s service is that it uses search engine optimization to increase traffic to the rental listings it manages, generating extra visibility on search engines such as Google to help drive more guest bookings. Awning reports that its hosts, on average, see a 10 to 30 percent increase in revenue per year from using its service.

In comparison to competitors, Awning has a relatively low 15 percent starting management fee. However, because the company’s contract cancellation policy information is not readily available, hosts will want to inquire what they could be on the hook for in case they need to cancel services for any reason. Awning prides itself in having a quick guest communication response time—an average of 5 to 15 minutes from inquiry. Awning will handle the guest communications and support 24/7 as well as the property’s calendar management and cleaning. If needed, it can also take care of pool, hot tub, and lawn maintenance as well as whole-home interior design services for the property.

 

Specs

  • Service area: Nationwide
  • Management fee: Starting at 15 percent
  • Real estate services: Yes
  • Interior design services: Yes
  • Contract cancellation options: Not specified

Best for Large Properties

AvantStay

 The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option AvantStay
Photo: avantstay.com

Pros

  • Real estate investment services offered
  • Whole-home interior design services offered
  • Reported 20 percent increase of host revenue per year
  • Dedicated account manager per host

Cons

  • Contract cancellation policy information not readily available
  • Restrictive home criteria for management approval

Why It Made the Cut:

AvantStay is a full-service management company to help manage larger vacation homes or investment properties.

For larger Airbnb properties, AvantStay can be a good option. Eligible homes must have at least four bedrooms, and home prices of properties managed reportedly are often between $750,000 and $2 million. AvantStay streamlines communications for its hosts, offering one point of contact. This person becomes more familiar with the rental property, which can help minimize any potential confusion from owners having to work with multiple managers. As part of its services, AvantStay will vet guests and manage bookings. It will also take care of cleaning and maintenance, guest communications, and more. AvantStay uses smart-home technology, such as digital locks, security cameras, and noise sensors, to help in-field management and add convenience to guest experiences. It also uses technology for convenient online bookings.

Hosts will want to be aware that AvantStay’s contract cancellation policy is not readily available on its website. Therefore, owners will want to inquire about what happens if they need to terminate their contract for any reason, such as if they decide to sell the property.

AvantStay offers whole-home interior design services to help owners increase interest in their rental properties as well as improve customer satisfaction by providing a professionally styled space. AvantStay also gathers key data analytics to help owners identify additional Airbnb investment opportunities for those who are looking to purchase more rental properties.

 

Specs

  • Service area: 70 cities worldwide
  • Management fee: Fixed or percentage fee; custom quote required for exact fee
  • Real estate services: Yes
  • Interior design services: Yes
  • Contract cancellation options: Not specified

Best Host Experience

Rabbu

 The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option Rabbu
Photo: rabbu.com

Pros

  • Free 1-on-1 consulting appointments available for prospective hosts
  • Reports of attentive and prompt communication
  • Relatively generous contract cancellation policy

Cons

  • Relatively small property portfolio

Why It Made the Cut:

Rabbu is known for its extra attentiveness and quick response rates in its communications with owners regarding the rental properties it manages.

Whether it’s for a mom-and-pop investor or a large-scale private equity firm, Rabbu can help run their Airbnb as a business. The company assists with onboarding and getting a property ready to rent. It also uses smart-home appliances to help oversee the property from day-to-day, coordinates professional photography, optimizes rental listings for marketing, offers deep- cleaning services, and manages guests and bookings 24/7. Owners have access to a dedicated portal to view property performance metrics, upcoming stays, guest reviews, and financial statements from one dashboard. Rabbu not only helps owners manage their property but also helps them find and operate an entire short-term rental portfolio of properties. It can help investors sell their existing rentals to other investors within its network as well. Additionally, Rabbu’s site offers users an Airbnb calculator to gather projected revenue estimates.

Rabbu charges a 25 percent management fee and touts a “no hidden fees” contract agreement. The company also offers “at-will cancellation” to its contract, allowing owners to cancel their account at any time and with no penalty. Although Rabbu offers a nationwide service area, it manages a relatively small portfolio of properties. This may allow it to deliver more focused and individualized attention to its clients. Additionally, Rabbu offers free one-on-one consulting appointments so prospective hosts can schedule a video call to discuss their property and what Rabbu can offer them in terms of service.

 

Specs

  • Service area: Nationwide
  • Management fee: About 25 percent; custom quote required for exact fee
  • Real estate services: Not specified
  • Interior design services: Not specified
  • Contract cancellation options: At-will cancellation

Best Luxury Services

Onefinestay

 The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option Onefinestay
Photo: onefinestay.com

Pros

  • Specialty in luxury home management
  • Hands-on concierge service
  • Dedicated account manager per host
  • Property-condition monitoring and assurance measures implemented

Cons

  • Restrictive home criteria for management approval
  • Management fee information not readily available
  • Contract cancellation policy information not readily available

Why It Made the Cut:

Onefinestay specializes in luxury home management and offers a hands-on concierge service to ensure guests are happy with their stay.

Onefinestay specializes exclusively in high-end private homes, and it offers a keen level of detail to fit that luxury niche. Guests can have access to private chefs, drivers, childcare, and dedicated concierges, and guests are greeted in person by their concierge once they arrive. This pampering is aimed at increasing guest satisfaction, and homes that Onefinestay serves are typically located in high-end, exclusive neighborhoods. Because of this, some hosts may find it more restrictive for their homes to meet certain criteria to qualify for this management service.

Owners who use Onefinestay will have a dedicated account manager assigned to them. This offers a clear point of contact so the owner does not have to talk to multiple people at the company who may not be familiar with their property. Onefinestay property managers display their knowledge of the properties, offering property-condition monitoring and assurance. They photograph and audit the home after every visit to ensure it’s been properly maintained and hasn’t sustained any damage following each guest’s stay. Owners also will receive frequent updates on how their home is being maintained and will be alerted whenever any defects are found and how they will be promptly fixed. This can provide peace of mind to hosts who may live far away from their property and can’t check on it themselves. Interested hosts can inquire about fee structures and contract terms.

 

Specs

  • Service area: Select cities in U.S., Europe, Caribbean, Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia
  • Management fee: Not specified
  • Real estate services: Not specified
  • Interior design services: Not specified
  • Contract cancellation options: Not specified

Best for Interior Design

Air Concierge

 The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option Air Concierge
Photo: airconcierge.net

Pros

  • Whole-home interior design services offered
  • Real estate investment services offered
  • Lower management rates for long-term stays or higher-priced bookings

Cons

  • Relatively limited service area

Why It Made the Cut:

Air Concierge offers the perk of professional interior decorating for its short-term and vacation rentals that look made for TV.

Air Concierge was co-founded by HGTV co-hosts Ryan and Claire Danz of “My House Is Your House.” They believe well-designed spaces can translate to more guest bookings for their hosts. As such, Air Concierge stands ready to spruce up properties with whole-home professional interior design services. These professionally designed spaces could drum up greater interest in rental properties listed online as well as increase customer satisfaction during guest stays.

Besides design services, the company offers many other traditional property management services, such as helping with guest management, bookings, and maintaining calendars. Its management fee starts at 25 percent, but the company does offer lower management fees for guests who stay longer or for higher-priced bookings. Air Concierge offers additional services, too, such as real estate investment guidance in helping their hosts identify additional Airbnb properties to invest in and add to their property portfolios. One caveat with Air Concierge is that it does have a relatively limited service area, currently operating only in California and Washington state. But owners with rentals in those areas may find the company’s extra perks of professional interior design services and its other management offerings a strong option to fit their Airbnb management needs.

 

Specs

  • Service area: California, Washington state
  • Management fee: Starting at 25 percent; lower rates for long-term stays
  • Real estate services: Yes
  • Interior design services: Yes
  • Contract cancellation options: Contract-dependent cancellation after 90 days of site usage or 1 year

Best Bang for the Buck

Evolve

Photo: evolve.com

Pros

  • Relatively low management fee of 10 percent
  • Real estate investment services offered

Cons

  • Somewhat restrictive contract cancellation policy

Why It Made the Cut:

Evolve offers lower management fees with a commission-based pricing structure that covers some of the key services within property management.

Hosts may be drawn to Evolve for its lower management fees compared to many of its competitors. For a 10 percent management fee, hosts will still get Evolve’s help in managing calendar bookings and providing guests with 24/7 support. Evolve also will create a customized property listing of the home that features professional photography, allowing hosts a better presentation in marketing their rental online. Evolve will list rentals on the leading sites among short-term rental platforms. It can also help determine competitive pricing for the rental and even suggest rate adjustments daily when accounting for numerous factors such as occupancy, seasonality, and fluctuations in demand. This can help avoid lulls in guest bookings for the property.

Evolve is considered a half-service for Airbnb management, so owners will still have to handle cleaning and maintenance. However, Evolve offers a network of cleaning providers and can provide a list that hosts can choose from. It’s worth noting that the company has a more restrictive contract cancellation policy compared with some of its competitors. For example, .it will only grant a refund of its management fees to property owners after they’ve had an active property listing with Evolve for 6 months. Nevertheless, Evolve’s expansive nationwide network can offer property management solutions to hosts in many places across the country, including select cities in Mexico, and at a lower price than many other Airbnb management options.

 

Specs

  • Service area: Nationwide; select cities in Mexico
  • Management fee: 10 percent
  • Real estate services: Yes
  • Interior design services: Not specified
  • Contract cancellation options: Cancellation and refund of management fees after 6 months of having an active property listing

Best in-Person Management

SkyRun Vacation Rentals

 The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option SkyRun Vacation Rentals
Photo: skyrun.com

Pros

  • Locally operated management branches
  • Relatively low starting management fee of 15 percent

Cons

  • Relatively small property portfolio
  • No vacation rental insurance offered

Why It Made the Cut:

SkyRun Vacation Rentals features local-operated management branches in each city where it operates, offering a hands-on approach and deep familiarity with its property management services.

SkyRun Vacation Rentals offers owners and guests the benefit of having a local team’s knowledge of the area. On-site staff may be able to keep a closer watch over the properties in its management portfolio and be responsive if any problems arise. Also, they may be more aware of any local short-term rental restrictions, which can help keep their hosts in compliance.

SkyRun Vacation Rentals does not offer vacation rental insurance, which is a common tendency among Airbnb management companies. That means hosts will need to seek out a policy to make sure their rental properties are properly covered to protect them from liability exposure and the house contents from certain perils.

Due to its in-person roots, SkyRun Vacation Rentals does maintain a relatively small property portfolio. But that may allow it to deliver more focused and individualized support to its hosts. It offers a relatively low starting management fee of 15 percent, which tends to be on the lower side when compared with other Airbnb property management companies.

 

Specs

  • Service area: 10 states
  • Management fee: Starting at 15 percent
  • Real estate services: Not specified
  • Interior design services: Not specified
  • Contract cancellation options: Varies by owner

Best for Long-Term Rentals

Casago

 The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option Casago Vacation Rentals Logo
Photo: casago.com

Pros

  • Specialized long-term rental management services
  • Relatively generous contract cancellation policy

Cons

  • No vacation rental insurance offered
  • Somewhat user-unfriendly website

Why It Made the Cut:

Casago specializes in long-term rental management services for owners who prefer guest bookings of month-long stays or even longer.

Casago helps owners arrange and manage longer stays among guests, which can come with procedures that are different from short-term rentals of a week or less. In addition to being attentive to guest communications, Casago can also provide professional housekeeping services. It also can work with vendors to accommodate pool service, landscaping maintenance, and general maintenance or repairs when needed. Casago has a generous contract cancellation policy, allowing owners to go in and out of its vacation rental program as they need to. It only requires owners to provide a 30-day notice when choosing to have their property unlisted.

Offering 24/7 customer support, Casago handles all the details of renting out properties, including professional photography, writing and marketing the property listing, and coordinating guest bookings and stays. Casago does not offer vacation rental insurance, which is not uncommon among Airbnb management companies, so owners will need to seek out their own policies to limit their liability exposure from guest stays and to protect the home and the owner’s personal property from certain perils. Additionally, Casago’s website is not the most user-friendly; the small text on top of photo backgrounds is difficult to read, meaning users may miss some of the information provided on the site. The company operates in 12 states, as well as in Washington, D.C., and Mexico.

 

Specs

  • Service area: 12 states; Washington, D.C.; Mexico
  • Management fee: 18 percent
  • Real estate services: Not specified
  • Interior design services: Not specified
  • Contract cancellation options: At-will cancellation; requested 30-day notice

Also Consider

Vacasa

 The Best Airbnb Management Companies Option Vacasa
Photo: vacasa.com

Pros

  • Robust property portfolio of over 35,000 homes
  • Real estate investment services offered

Cons

  • Reports of hidden fees

Why It Made the Cut:

Vacasa is an international vacation rental management company that maintains a portfolio of more than 35,000 vacation rentals.

Vacasa is a full-service vacation rental property management company that spans a wide geographic area, operating in 34 states as well as in Canada, Mexico, Belize, and Costa Rica. Its large portfolio of vacation properties signals a high level of experience and shows its longevity in the industry; Vacasa has operated in this space since 2009.

The company helps hosts handle the main tasks of property management, including calendars and bookings, 24/7 guest support, and the marketing of properties, including using search engine optimization to boost the visibility of listings within search engine results. Vacasa uses 3D virtual home tours and vacation rental copywriters and photographers to attract greater visibility for the rental listings it manages. The company touts a “Vacasa Premium Clean” service after each guest stay, which consists of a hyper-focus on hospital-grade, EPA-approved disinfection and sanitization of all high-touch surfaces throughout the property. Vacasa also offers real estate investment services to its hosts who are looking to expand their rental property portfolios and find additional investment opportunities. However, Vacasa reviewers warn that the company charges some additional fees on top of its management fees that are not clearly outlined. Hosts who are considering using Vacasa are encouraged to gather a custom quote and to watch for any hidden fees.

 

Specs

  • Service area: 34 states, Canada, Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica
  • Management fee: 20 to 25 percent; custom quote required for exact fee
  • Real estate services: Yes
  • Interior design services: Not specified
  • Contract cancellation options: Cancellation with 90 days’ notice

Our Verdict

Awning is a standout in this class of full-service Airbnb property management companies because of the wide net it casts online in generating bookings for its hosts as well as its expansive nationwide service area. Owners with larger homes may be interested in AvantStay, which is a company that specializes in properties with four or more bedrooms.

How We Chose the Best Airbnb Management Companies

The best Airbnb management companies featured in this guide were selected after extensive research. We factored in brand reputation and customer reviews as well as the scope of each company’s services, costs, geographic coverage, and more. This guide aimed to include a variety of options, from management offerings for large-scale host operators to owners that may only have one or two properties in their portfolios. The options also contain a variety of price points, ranging from management fees of 10 percent to 25 percent. We also considered contract cancellation policies so owners aren’t stuck in unfavorable contracts if they need to end the services.

Before You Use One of the Best Airbnb Management Companies

Using a management company is not a requirement for operating an Airbnb. In fact, most property owners actually choose to manage and operate their rentals themselves. However, this may be more common if the owners live near the property and can keep a close eye on it day-to-day. There’s a lot that goes into managing a property, however, including overseeing the marketing, bookings, guest stays and communications, guest screenings, maintenance and repairs, fee collection, and more.

As such, some owners may want to hire a property management company that is skilled in these tasks. There are several categories of property management firms available. Full-service companies can take care of everything involved in the rental, from the marketing, bookings, and guests’ stays to the cleaning, maintenance, and more. Property managers may offer flexible contracts and help mainly with the marketing and communication aspects involved in the rental. They may offer help in getting the property promoted on multiple sites in addition to providing 24/7 customer service for guests. Some property management companies may offer on-site or virtual service. Virtual managers handle management remotely. They may offer lower fees, but owners may have to handle cleaning, maintenance, and repairs themselves.

Cost of Using One of the Best Airbnb Management Companies

The cost of using an Airbnb management company varies considerably, just as service offerings can vary among companies. Airbnb property managers charge a fee for their services, which typically spans anywhere from 15 to 35 percent of the monthly host revenue—although sometimes management fees can even stretch up to 50 percent. Within these fees, most property managers will include marketing and listing optimization for promoting the rental online, pricing expertise, guest communication, and support. They may also include cleaning and property inspections. Some management firms may charge less, but they may only offer owners help with marketing, for example, and won’t handle the cleaning of the property or guest communication.

Besides the standard Airbnb management fee advertised, some companies may charge additional fees. For example, companies may charge an onboarding fee, which covers the initial setup for using their service. Additionally, some may charge fees for vacancy, cleaning, pets, restocking, lawn care, swimming pool or hot tub maintenance, or repairs. It’s possible that some of these fees may be passed on to guests.

Although it’s not a given, some property management companies may offer vacation rental insurance, which is likely an added fee but would protect hosts from any liability in having guests stay on their property as well as to protect the property and the host’s personal property from certain perils. Companies also may charge extra for damage protection coverage and even bed bug coverage. Owners can shop around and gather quotes from multiple insurance companies.

The Advantages of Using One of the Best Airbnb Management Companies

Employing the services of a property management company can be a way to take some of the hassles off owners in managing their short-term or vacation properties. This can offer several benefits to property owners, including:

  • Time savings: The management company will handle renting out the property, the marketing, guest inquiries, fee collection, cleaning, and maintenance to free up the owner’s time so they can focus elsewhere.
  • Outreach and support: Most management firms will handle all guest communications, often with 24/7 availability, so that queries are promptly responded to. They’ll also take care of bookings, guest screenings, and even post-stay follow-up.
  • Increased rental income: Property management companies have the know-how in rental management to optimize pricing and occupancy rates and increase guest satisfaction. This often translates to higher rental income and can help owners expand their rental portfolios to include additional properties.

FAQs

With so many choices, Airbnb owners have a lot to consider when searching for a property management company for their short-term or long-term rental. The following are some common questions to consider before making a decision.

Q. What do Airbnb property management companies do?

They handle all the day-to-day operational tasks so property owners don’t have to. Airbnb property management companies can manage bookings, guest communications, cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. They also can market the property and help increase its visibility online and conduct guest screenings and offer support during their stay. This frees up the owner’s time and resources.

Q. What is the best way to manage an Airbnb?

It’s best to treat it like a business. In managing an Airbnb, one needs to oversee bookings and guest communications and respond to all inquiries. It’s also necessary to organize and track maintenance, arrange for guest stays, and handle fee collection, cleanings, marketing, and more. Hosts also need to ensure they’re complying with all local regulations that apply to short-term rentals. Owners who believe this sounds like more than they’re willing to do may want to look into having a company do this for them and choose to hire an Airbnb property management company.

Q. How much do Airbnb property managers charge?

This can vary depending on the location, the company, and the extent of services the company is offering. The average cost of an Airbnb property management company is between 15 to 35 percent of the host’s monthly revenue. But some may charge much more, even up to 50 percent, or much less, such as a 10 percent fee, but it may come with less management assistance.

Q. Is managing an Airbnb easy?

Not really, especially for those who don’t have the skillset. Owners can’t just post a listing on Airbnb or sites like Vrbo or Expedia and expect it to be booked up overnight. Hosts need to focus on not just the marketing of the property but all the prep of the Airbnb property that’s involved too. There’s also maintenance, house cleaning, pricing optimization, professional photography, guest communications, contracts, fee collection, and so much more. All of these aspects mean there’s a lot to consider before becoming an Airbnb host.

Q. How do I increase traffic to my Airbnb listing?

Search engine optimization can help increase the visibility of a listing. When an Airbnb does not land high in online search results, potential guests likely will miss seeing it. This can lead to fewer bookings and, ultimately, lower earnings for the host. Many of the best Airbnb property management companies offer assistance with marketing and optimization techniques—like generating more guest reviews—to increase the visibility of the rental.

Q. Can someone else manage my Airbnb?

Yes. A property management company can handle all the day-to-day tasks on the owner’s behalf, including marketing, guest communications and support, property maintenance, and bookings. Owners will have to pay a fee to use a property management company, which are typically anywhere between 15 to 35 percent of an owner’s monthly revenue. However, many find the cost is worth it.

 
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Melissa Tracey

Contributing Writer

Melissa Dittmann Tracey has been writing about the real estate and home improvement industry for 15 years. She covers the latest real estate news as a long-time contributor to the National Association of Realtors’ publications and other real estate media. She is obsessed with other people’s homes (but in a non-creepy way) and loves to talk about the latest home design trends each week on the syndicated radio show Real Estate Today.

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