Take Time to Find the Best Fit

Airbnb is a unique service from the perspective of crowdsourced review sites in that it offers the host not only the chance to manage reviews of the property but also offers the opportunity to review a guest they have welcomed into their home. In this way, Airbnb has created a unique method of building confidence and trust in the Airbnb community in a way that other review sites have not. When’s the last time you read an angry Yelp review written by a dissatisfied customer and wondered what the restaurateur might have to say?

Airbnb has altered the landscape for crowdsourced reviews in a way that will continue to evolve as more and more companies embrace the idea of community and transparency. The filters are robust allowing folks to filter for cable TV, wireless Internet, pets allowed and even hot tubs.This is a powerful parsing tool often overlooked by guests. In fact, what we’ve found is that the more time spent filtering for exactly what you need in a space, the less time spent cycling through endless charming property listings that can become overwhelming and lead to decision impotence. Our one key piece of guidance would be to rely heavily on the built-in filters provided by Airbnb or if looking for something very specific in a listing, use your favorite search engine (ours is Google) and search for specific keywords to reveal properties that meet your criteria.

As Airbnb Superhosts, we’ve been lucky enough to engage with a ton of travelers to help them find the perfect spot for their Portland experience. From the host’s own selfish perspective, it is important for guests to believe your spot is ideal to set yourself up for a positive review from the guest. This pre-qualification takes a little more upfront communication. Ask your guests the purpose of their trip if they don’t tell you themselves. Make sure it will be easy for the guests to get to their destinations from your home so they are satisfied with their experience. This back and forth consideration could take a little more time to ensure your spot will be the best fit for the guest, but it’s absolutely worth it!