Do you want to meet new cultures and learn about different traditions? Or maybe you’re looking to increase your income? You could also be looking for a flexible way to rent your house. Throughout this blog, you’ll learn how to turn your home into an Airbnb.
We will start by explaining the process of hosting step by step, providing tips and tricks, and explaining its benefits.
So, regardless of your goal, you’ve come to the right place!
What is Airbnb?
To begin with, Airbnb is the largest platform pioneering the short-term rentals market since 2007. It is interesting to highlight that there are listings from more than 220 countries and regions, including Egypt.
As a host on Airbnb Egypt, you could list various places to be shared with guests. The spaces could be one of the following:
- Your whole house
- Private or shared rooms
- Boats
- Penthouses
- Villas
- Serviced apartments
And basically any type of space that could be shared. A plus about hosting an Airbnb for rentals is the flexibility you gain from the timings, rules, and choosing the guests.
To add, if you’re an extrovert who likes to socialize, sharing your house allows you to meet new people. You could share your experience about the area, have company, and learn from travelers’ experiences and stories.
We know you are still wondering how to turn your home into an Airbnb. If you think the process is complicated, don’t stress, we’ve got you!
How To Turn Your Home Into an Airbnb
When you’ve decided to be a host, you’ll first want to begin by managing your Airbnb property. After that, you’ll create your account, then start listing the property following certain guidelines, and that’s it.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into each step.
Step 1- Manage Your Property:
Managing your Airbnb is a crucial step to ensure guest comfort and avoid conflicts. The better prepared you are, the more your guests will enjoy their stay, leading to positive reviews and a strong reputation. Such reviews make you a credible, trusted host.
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Legal requirements
You have to ensure that your property follows the legal regulations and tax payment of short-term rentals in Egypt. Take into account that some rules differ when renting to foreigners. Consult your legal advisor for full details.
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Regular maintenance
Regular maintenance saves you time and money. It also ensures your guests don’t face any discomfort during their stay. Revising the following points regularly will help you notice any issues earlier on:
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- Check the conditions of all electric appliances, including ACs, TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, and water heaters, to avoid any health risks and inconvenience.
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- Look for sewage issues.
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- Ensure that there’s no damage to doors and window locks for optimal security.
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- Schedule regular pest control.
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- Perform monthly maintenance of water filters (if available).
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- Keep a functional fire extinguisher.
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- Maintain good interior conditions (furniture, walls, ceiling, lights).
Also check out Modern Interior Design – Glamour Meets Practicality
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Cleaning service
Before guests’ arrival, the house or space should be spotless and thoroughly cleaned. To do so, it is best to assign a cleaning company to take care of this point.
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Inventory management
Keeping track of the availability of home essential supplies is one of the important aspects of Airbnb property management. You’ll need to regularly restock items such as:
- Bathroom essentials (toilet paper, soap, towels)
- Cleaning supplies (surface cleaners, trash bags, laundry detergent, paper towels)
Moreover, stocking the place with tea, coffee, and drinks is not mandatory. However, it is a kind gesture that makes the guests feel welcome.
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Manage bookings and cancellations
As a host, it is important to keep track of guests’ check-ins, check-outs, and cancellations. Communicate with your guests, and set the timings on a calendar for a smooth process.
In case you don’t have the time to manage your own home, you can hire a co-host or an Airbnb property manager. This will lessen your responsibilities and make the hosting process easier.
Learn More About Property Management
Step 2- Create Your Airbnb Account:
This step is very simple. All you have to do is create an account through the Airbnb website or mobile application. Next, you’ll be asked to verify it by providing your basic personal info. Noting that this info won’t be shared with other guests or hosts.
After you’re verified, let’s work on sharing your Airbnb with the world!
Step 3- List Your Property On Airbnb:
Now that you’ve prepared everything, listing your home on Airbnb should be easy. Listing is showing what you’re offering, your requirements, availability, and all the relevant details.
The first thing the viewer will see is the title. You should use a clear, simple, and attractive title. Try not to list several facilities in the title, since there’s a specific section for this.
The details section is where you provide all information. It contains the location of the Airbnb, nearby places, and a description of the rooms guests have access to. You can also speak more about the facilities in detail, even if you’ve already listed them.
Additionally, the ‘things to know’ section is the place to add all your requirements to avoid misunderstandings. In this section, you can add your rules, checking-in and out timings, and the number of guests you can host.
Have you listed all the relevant details for guests?
If yes, then you can start publishing!
Step 4- Prepare Airbnb Rental Agreement
One last step before you welcome your first guest is to ensure that the renter approves of your house rules and policies. The rental agreement serves as a protection for both parties and clarifies the guidelines.
You can customize your rental agreement, but some of the main points that need to be included are:
- Property details
- Contact info
- Stay duration
- Payment details
- Cancellation policy
- Check-in and check-out terms
- House rules such as smoking, pet restrictions, etc.
Finished stating all your Airbnb details? You are now ready to welcome your first guest!
Airbnb Hosting Tips & Tricks
If you’ve followed the previous steps, you are considered a registered host on Airbnb. But why settle? Let’s go through some tips and tricks to help you perform and market better and even become an Airbnb Superhost!
Airbnb Listing Hacks
- Make your Airbnb listing catchy and straight to the point. Good visuals easily attract people, so it’s advised to use high-quality pictures in good light settings.
- Include all the available amenities in your listing. Do not exclude any facility, even if you think it’s not major.
- Highlight special facilities. If your Airbnb contains a coffee machine, air fryer, strong wifi, smart technology, Netflix subscription, accessibility features, or any other advantage, mention it.
- Follow SEO (search engine optimization) guidelines. Good SEO makes your short-term rental appear faster in search results and acts as a marketing strategy. Some ways are:
- Use a title limited to 32 characters for full visibility
- Include the exact location/area name in the title. For example, instead of referring to your Airbnb as “Apartment in Cairo”, say “Apartment in New Cairo”.
That way, your listing is more likely to be shown in a search or filter of New Cairo apartments.
- Limit descriptive words in your title and use them effectively. In the title, your goal is to describe as much as you can while following the character limit. Your title could be similar to: “ Cozy Maadi room, private garden”.
- Stress on keywords that are relevant to the area and the experience you are sharing.
- Add a visual description (alt text) to your photos. Describing briefly and clearly what is included in the photos leads to better accessibility.
Alt text not only improves SEO, but it also eases the process for guests with visual impairments. It is also useful when the internet connection is slow or images fail to load.
To avoid any confusion, follow our SEO checklist:
Hosting Tips
- Always maintain good communication with your guests. Be responsive to any concerns and reviews, both negative and positive.
- Equip the Airbnb with all kitchen essentials. A well-equipped kitchen is more convenient for a vacation stay, and is expected from the host. This includes appliances, dishes and tableware, utensils, cookware, and cooking essentials.
Provide the following, bearing in mind that the quantity depends on your budget and the number of guests you’re hosting:
- Appliances:
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- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- Toaster
- Coffee machine
- Oven
- Blender
- Electric kettle
- Refreigirator
- Dishes & tableware:
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- Plates
- Cups
- Mugs
- Bowls
- Cutlery
- Kids’ plates (if the Airbnb is kid-friendly)
- Utensils:
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- Cutting board
- Serving tools (whisk, ladle, tong)
- Can opener
- Scissors
- Oven mitts
- Cookware:
- Pots
- Pans
- Baking trays
- Cooking essentials:
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- Salt
- Pepper
- Spices (cumin, chili powder, paprika, etc.)
- Oil
- Vinegar
- Sugar
- Extras:
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- Sponge
- Dish soap
- Dish drying rack
- Hand sanitizer
When you market your home correctly and provide all the tools, you reach a wider and happier audience more effectively. Do you know what a happy audience leads you to? It makes you eligible to become an Airbnb Superhost.
Having this title gives guests a good impression that you are more reliable. It gives you the privilege of better visibility, as well as gaining rewards from Airbnb.
Aim for this title to make the most out of your hosting experience. Remember, it’s an effective way of making more money and building connections.
Airbnb VS Renting & Hotels
As you consider turning your home into an Airbnb, it’s important to understand what sets it apart from regular renting and hotel stays.
Difference Between Airbnb & Regular Renting
Renting out your property could be short-term or long-term, and each comes with its own advantages. The decision depends on your preferences, so let’s explore their differences.
| Factor | Airbnb | Renting |
| Duration | Short-term (days/weeks) | Long-term (months /years) |
| Availability | Depends on your schedule | Depends on the rental contract |
| Income | Unsteady income, more revenue | Steady income, less revenue |
| Management | Requires attention & constant communication | Less maintenance & day-to-day communication |
Difference Between Airbnb & Hotels
Airbnb and hotels both offer a short-term stay for guests. They both differ in experience and budget. People are more likely to choose an Airbnb for authenticity and experience.
An Airbnb offers a culturally-immersed experience since guests live in a home like any other local. It provides a personalized experience where guests choose their style of living and the services they need, making it more convenient than hotels.
Risks of Airbnb
Hosting an Airbnb in Egypt might come with risks, but all are manageable if you are prepared. Some of the risks include:
- Property damage: There will be several guests renting out your home, and not all guests comply with the rules as you would wish. These situations are where AirCover, the insurance program provided by Airbnb, comes in handy.
AirCover is automatically provided when you list your home. It offers both damage protection and host liability insurance.
- Irregular income: You can not 100% rely on Airbnb as a fixed income. There are days when you’ll not have any reservations. These are some ways that could help you reach more people:
Try to follow all the basics of hosting, including regular restocking and communication. You’ll also need to check if your guests leave positive reviews. Good reviews affect the visibility of your listing, making you gain more reservations.
Another way that helps your visibility and bookings is marketing your listing on social media. You could share your listing on your social media account and on Airbnb communities.
Final Thoughts
Since you’ve reached the end of the blog, you’ve now gone through a full guide on Airbnb. You’ve discovered the steps to start hosting an Airbnb and hacks for successful hosting. As well as exploring how Airbnb in Egypt differs from regular renting and hotels.
Nawy offers different types of properties in different areas in Egypt that you can check to make your hosting experience come to life.
Explore Properties For Sale On Nawy
FAQs
What is Airbnb?
Airbnb is the largest short-term rentals platform, where hosts can rent out their whole property or individual rooms.
What is the cancellation policy on Airbnb?
The host adds their preferred policy, but Airbnb offers standard policies that hosts can choose from.
How much money can you make on Airbnb in Egypt?
Rentals in Cairo range from 400-3k EGP per night. It varies depending on your location, facilities, and services.
How to list a property on Airbnb?
Create a unique title, include all relevant details in the details section, then add your rules and policies.
