Post by High Priestess on May 27, 2016 21:25:52 GMT
Lawrence shared on Anecdotes group June 2014
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-90483
First inquiry to rent
So I've literally just received my first inquiry to rent my place. I'd like to get back to this person asap but thought I'd get on here and ask for some insight. Is there a typical first response back to a potential renter? In other words, I'm looking for some suggestions for my response. Are there some typical questions that you would include in a response or just a general "Thanks for the inquiry...the dates are open...go ahead an book it..."
Feeling a bit nervous so suggestions are welcomed!
Thanks, Lawerence
16 comments
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Leah
Leah2 years ago
Hi Lawrence, I usually say, Thank you for your inquiry to rent my space. Currently, the dates are available and I have preapproved your stay to reserve it. When the time gets closer, please let me know what time I can expect your arrival so that I can plan on being home to greet you. I will have the place ready by X time. If you have any questions, just let me know. However - lets say it is a person with a blank profile and no reviews, then I say instead: Thanks you inquiry. It looks like you are new to airbnb. Please take some time completing your profile, including a government ID. I always want to know more about guests staying in my home and airbnb is built on trust. All hosts want to know about potential guests prior to approval or declining a reservation. Thanks for understanding.
Reply Like 2 replies•2 likes
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Ask questions. Follow your gut. Why are they coming? Who are they traveling with? Did they read your house rules (hopefully you have them listed).
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach2 years ago
Luv it..Thanks Leah.
Leah
Leah2 years ago
And expect no common sense from people. Respecting one's house as if it were your own is naive. Spell it out clearly what that means. What is good for one person can be aggregating to you.
Reply Like 2 likes
Lee
Lee2 years ago
Leah couldn't have said it better. Definitely follow your gut. Be welcoming/friendly, but ask questions.
Reply Like
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
You guys are awesome. Thanks for the insight!
Reply Like
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
By the way, thank you so much, Leah. The person inquiring is new to Airbnb, so I'm thankful you included your specific response that that, as well.
Reply Like
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach2 years ago
Don't be nervous but responding quickly will give you a good score on your response rate ............. I always use thanks for your interests or inquiry and let them know that it is available,and you can also ask the inquirer the purpose of their visit and if the dates that they want is the definite date that they want it booked...so you can make sure that you will block it for them and at the same time to pre approve them in that matter. have a great time hosting.
Reply Like
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
Thank you!
Reply Like
Leah
Leah2 years ago
I have hosted lots of newbies. Just be very thorough in what you want, expect, and hope they will do while in your home. I also leave out an info sheet with customer service, my number, WiFi code, where to find stuff, and house rules.
Reply Like 1 like
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
That is a great suggestion. I have rented homes in the past and find an info sheet extremely helpful and, at times, we have treated it like a guide to follow. Do you do a rental agreement, per se, or just rely on very thorough "house rules?"
Reply Like 1 reply
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Just house rules but others do have written agreements. Your choice.
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
Thanks, Leah!
Reply Like
Salvia
Salvia2 years ago
In addition to Leah"s perfect phrases: to new Airbnb"ers I add a short explanation what "pre-approve" means (to avoid frustration and bad PR about the platform): "There is no rush at the moment but please bear in mind: The pre-approval enables the completion of your FINAL booking but your reservation is not held exclusively and might be affected by another upcoming booking. (A lot of people don't get it )
I do this because of experience and another advice: DO NOT WAIT (too long) for guests to make up their mind. First comes, first serve!!!
Reply Like 1 like
Rosemarie
Rosemarie2 years ago
Lawrence - Everyone pretty much said what I would have said. Welcome to the group and to hosting!
Reply Like
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
I just wanted to take a moment and thank you all again. Your comments and suggestions are perfect. It must be holiday booking weekend because I just had another inquiry. This time from someone who is new to Airbnb, so Leah and Salvia your suggestions were so timely and useful. It's a little awkward as a new host to not pre-approve everyone right away. As I gain experience and basically confidence in this process, that will come much easier.
Reply Like 1 like
Deborah
Deborah2 years ago
Lawrence
By browsing the forums you will gain a lot of insight.
Here are some things helpful for new hosts that I posted in the past:
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-78645
and
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-76121
Reply Like 1 reply•2 likes
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
Thanks, Deborah. Always really helpful to find previous posts!
Eleanor
Eleanor2 years ago
Typical first response. "Accept". If they have a fully filled out profile and at least one review accept is the way to go. No review respond back after reading their profile with a question.
Reply Like 1 like
Mehmet
Mehmet2 years ago
Make a .pdf and email it to them after they book, with house rules, nice place to eat nearby, wifi password, typical taxi rate from airport, your favorite sight-seeing spot, etc. Some people don't read deeply into the listing info, and this follow-up PDF is helpful.
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-90483
First inquiry to rent
So I've literally just received my first inquiry to rent my place. I'd like to get back to this person asap but thought I'd get on here and ask for some insight. Is there a typical first response back to a potential renter? In other words, I'm looking for some suggestions for my response. Are there some typical questions that you would include in a response or just a general "Thanks for the inquiry...the dates are open...go ahead an book it..."
Feeling a bit nervous so suggestions are welcomed!
Thanks, Lawerence
16 comments
Following
Like
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Hi Lawrence, I usually say, Thank you for your inquiry to rent my space. Currently, the dates are available and I have preapproved your stay to reserve it. When the time gets closer, please let me know what time I can expect your arrival so that I can plan on being home to greet you. I will have the place ready by X time. If you have any questions, just let me know. However - lets say it is a person with a blank profile and no reviews, then I say instead: Thanks you inquiry. It looks like you are new to airbnb. Please take some time completing your profile, including a government ID. I always want to know more about guests staying in my home and airbnb is built on trust. All hosts want to know about potential guests prior to approval or declining a reservation. Thanks for understanding.
Reply Like 2 replies•2 likes
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Ask questions. Follow your gut. Why are they coming? Who are they traveling with? Did they read your house rules (hopefully you have them listed).
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach2 years ago
Luv it..Thanks Leah.
Leah
Leah2 years ago
And expect no common sense from people. Respecting one's house as if it were your own is naive. Spell it out clearly what that means. What is good for one person can be aggregating to you.
Reply Like 2 likes
Lee
Lee2 years ago
Leah couldn't have said it better. Definitely follow your gut. Be welcoming/friendly, but ask questions.
Reply Like
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
You guys are awesome. Thanks for the insight!
Reply Like
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
By the way, thank you so much, Leah. The person inquiring is new to Airbnb, so I'm thankful you included your specific response that that, as well.
Reply Like
Nic and Rach
Nic and Rach2 years ago
Don't be nervous but responding quickly will give you a good score on your response rate ............. I always use thanks for your interests or inquiry and let them know that it is available,and you can also ask the inquirer the purpose of their visit and if the dates that they want is the definite date that they want it booked...so you can make sure that you will block it for them and at the same time to pre approve them in that matter. have a great time hosting.
Reply Like
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
Thank you!
Reply Like
Leah
Leah2 years ago
I have hosted lots of newbies. Just be very thorough in what you want, expect, and hope they will do while in your home. I also leave out an info sheet with customer service, my number, WiFi code, where to find stuff, and house rules.
Reply Like 1 like
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
That is a great suggestion. I have rented homes in the past and find an info sheet extremely helpful and, at times, we have treated it like a guide to follow. Do you do a rental agreement, per se, or just rely on very thorough "house rules?"
Reply Like 1 reply
Leah
Leah2 years ago
Just house rules but others do have written agreements. Your choice.
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
Thanks, Leah!
Reply Like
Salvia
Salvia2 years ago
In addition to Leah"s perfect phrases: to new Airbnb"ers I add a short explanation what "pre-approve" means (to avoid frustration and bad PR about the platform): "There is no rush at the moment but please bear in mind: The pre-approval enables the completion of your FINAL booking but your reservation is not held exclusively and might be affected by another upcoming booking. (A lot of people don't get it )
I do this because of experience and another advice: DO NOT WAIT (too long) for guests to make up their mind. First comes, first serve!!!
Reply Like 1 like
Rosemarie
Rosemarie2 years ago
Lawrence - Everyone pretty much said what I would have said. Welcome to the group and to hosting!
Reply Like
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
I just wanted to take a moment and thank you all again. Your comments and suggestions are perfect. It must be holiday booking weekend because I just had another inquiry. This time from someone who is new to Airbnb, so Leah and Salvia your suggestions were so timely and useful. It's a little awkward as a new host to not pre-approve everyone right away. As I gain experience and basically confidence in this process, that will come much easier.
Reply Like 1 like
Deborah
Deborah2 years ago
Lawrence
By browsing the forums you will gain a lot of insight.
Here are some things helpful for new hosts that I posted in the past:
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-78645
and
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-76121
Reply Like 1 reply•2 likes
Lawrence
Lawrence2 years ago
Thanks, Deborah. Always really helpful to find previous posts!
Eleanor
Eleanor2 years ago
Typical first response. "Accept". If they have a fully filled out profile and at least one review accept is the way to go. No review respond back after reading their profile with a question.
Reply Like 1 like
Mehmet
Mehmet2 years ago
Make a .pdf and email it to them after they book, with house rules, nice place to eat nearby, wifi password, typical taxi rate from airport, your favorite sight-seeing spot, etc. Some people don't read deeply into the listing info, and this follow-up PDF is helpful.