Post by High Priestess on May 30, 2016 17:11:10 GMT
Pam shared on NHF Jan 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-102285
Pama year ago
First guests coming.. Scared!!!
Hello all! We listed my roommate's room as she traveled to the Philippines for 20 days and we got a request from a couple from Turkey and they actually made the reservation for the remaining available days (14 days to be exact). This is my first time hosting and my non-Airbnb friends are filling my head with all these horror stories..
The guests only have one review which is good and our messages have been pretty straight forward. I work during the day and they will have access to the whole apartment while I'm at work. Am i over thinking this letting other people's words get to my head?
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Nic and Rach
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Carolyn
Carolyna year ago
Hi Pam, don't be scared, do be smart! The great majority of Airbnb guests are really wonderful, sincere people. The rare horror stories are the stories that seem to get attention. Your guest has one good review; that's a good sign. You may indeed be over-thinking.
THAT SAID, however: you MUST have house rules in place. I see that you don't have any on your listing. You should write up some house rules immediately. The drawback is that your guests already booked, so they're unaware of any rules, unless you have some in the House Manual which the guest receives.
Are you able to get away from work long enough to greet your guests and show them in? Or, do you have a friend who can do this for you? Even if you've already set it up with the guest that they can let themselves in, it's fine to have someone there to greet them. They will appreciate the welcome, and it will put your mind at ease.
Since they're staying for two weeks, give them a copy of your house rules and go over it with them. They will probably be happy to do this, and will likely be lovely guests.
Do you have House Rules in your Manual, or posted in your home already?
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Nic and Rach
Nic and Racha year ago
I don't see you scared... you're smilin' j/k I really believe you can handle it dpn't over think the unthinkable and since your room mate will be gone for 20 days, then you can treat your guests your room mate but in a special way. Introduce yourself and greet them and show them your place, Show them where they have access and since you were not prepared including a house rule in your listing. Go ahead and type up a house rule that you want to lay out with your guests 1. No Smoking inside 2. No Illegal drugs or activities allowed. 3. Keep the place tidy and clean. and other things that you don't want your guests to do while in your home. Also, you have to check with them and if they need anything as far as supplies. that kind of thing..... I heard that the Turks smokes a lot. and drink a lot and cook spicy mediterranian foods and don't be surprise when you come home from work that your house smells...curry and cumin and other spices.. ok.. i'm exaggerating... all I'm saying is that " be prepared and hospitable " Have fun ok ? and if you need help we'll be here or join 911 forum as well. and by the way, Carolyn is right and I agree with her... totally!
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Pam
Pama year ago
Thank you Carolyn, Nic and Rach! Your kind words and encouragement has helped me a ton. I don't have any house rules or a home manual yet. I didn't think it would get booked so fast! I will write my rules tonight after work and make sure to print them out for them.
I will get off work a early tomorrow to greet them as they need to meet my dog as well.
Thank you!!!!
Reply Like 3 replies Delete
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
Keep in mind that the rules guests are held to are the rules listen onsite when they made the listing. Definitely still create a hard copy manual, but it's possible it won't help you in a dispute with these first guests, should one arise. Don't overthink it. Truly, I've never had a problem with any guest who had at least one good review. Have fun and good luck!
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
(listed, not listen. Sorry. )
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
(UGH when they made the BOOKING , not "made the listing". I'm really tired. )
Evelyn
Evelyna year ago
Congratulations and good luck. It's ok to feel insecure and a bit scared. It's your first time hosting and you're hearing horror stories. My recommendations are:
* House rules - are you ok with smoking? how do you want them to behave in your home? cooking? etc. Look at other hosts rules and adapt accordingly to your needs.
* Guide Book - it should include your house rules, your information (phone number, email), WIFI information, special things about your home and the appliances. Also, it's great to have the nearby train station, restaurants, pharmacy, etc. Places that you love and recommend. Remember they don't know your home and your neighborhood.
* If you have any paperwork or information you want to keep private, put it in your room.
*Provide enough storage space in the bedroom for their belongings. A luggage rack is a great thing if they need to live of their luggage. But closet and drawers space is even better. Especially because they're staying for 14 days.
Have fun. This will be a great experience.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Pam
Pama year ago
Thank you Evelyn! Great idea about looking at other hosts' house rules! I was drawing a blank for a second.
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Kim
Kima year ago
Hi Pam welcome. I think the scariest part is the unknown. I started hosting a few months back and it has all been wonderful positive experiences. I had a no kid rule but a couple contacted me that has a 2 year old and wanted to stay. I was really nervous because I don't have kids and have heard horror stories of kids pooping in the bathtub, peeing the bed, drawing on walls, crying all night... But they had good reviews and it's really slow here so I thought I would try just once. And it was awesome! The baby laughed all the time, was well behaved, played with the animals. So I amended my house rules, kids are ok (as long as they sleep on a pee pee pad). So I understand your nervousness, but most likely it's going to be better than you are imagining. And if you don't like hosting, remember it's only only for 2 weeks and you are making extra money
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Pam
Pama year ago
Thank you Kim. I agree, the anticipation is what kills.
My guests gave arrived and they have been great! We've has great conversations as well and I think they're enjoying their stay as well.
Thank you all for the support again!
Reply Like 1 like Delete
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-102285
Pama year ago
First guests coming.. Scared!!!
Hello all! We listed my roommate's room as she traveled to the Philippines for 20 days and we got a request from a couple from Turkey and they actually made the reservation for the remaining available days (14 days to be exact). This is my first time hosting and my non-Airbnb friends are filling my head with all these horror stories..
The guests only have one review which is good and our messages have been pretty straight forward. I work during the day and they will have access to the whole apartment while I'm at work. Am i over thinking this letting other people's words get to my head?
7 comments•1 like
Follow
Like
Nic and Rach
Delete
Hide
Carolyn
Carolyna year ago
Hi Pam, don't be scared, do be smart! The great majority of Airbnb guests are really wonderful, sincere people. The rare horror stories are the stories that seem to get attention. Your guest has one good review; that's a good sign. You may indeed be over-thinking.
THAT SAID, however: you MUST have house rules in place. I see that you don't have any on your listing. You should write up some house rules immediately. The drawback is that your guests already booked, so they're unaware of any rules, unless you have some in the House Manual which the guest receives.
Are you able to get away from work long enough to greet your guests and show them in? Or, do you have a friend who can do this for you? Even if you've already set it up with the guest that they can let themselves in, it's fine to have someone there to greet them. They will appreciate the welcome, and it will put your mind at ease.
Since they're staying for two weeks, give them a copy of your house rules and go over it with them. They will probably be happy to do this, and will likely be lovely guests.
Do you have House Rules in your Manual, or posted in your home already?
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Nic and Rach
Nic and Racha year ago
I don't see you scared... you're smilin' j/k I really believe you can handle it dpn't over think the unthinkable and since your room mate will be gone for 20 days, then you can treat your guests your room mate but in a special way. Introduce yourself and greet them and show them your place, Show them where they have access and since you were not prepared including a house rule in your listing. Go ahead and type up a house rule that you want to lay out with your guests 1. No Smoking inside 2. No Illegal drugs or activities allowed. 3. Keep the place tidy and clean. and other things that you don't want your guests to do while in your home. Also, you have to check with them and if they need anything as far as supplies. that kind of thing..... I heard that the Turks smokes a lot. and drink a lot and cook spicy mediterranian foods and don't be surprise when you come home from work that your house smells...curry and cumin and other spices.. ok.. i'm exaggerating... all I'm saying is that " be prepared and hospitable " Have fun ok ? and if you need help we'll be here or join 911 forum as well. and by the way, Carolyn is right and I agree with her... totally!
Reply Like Delete
Pam
Pama year ago
Thank you Carolyn, Nic and Rach! Your kind words and encouragement has helped me a ton. I don't have any house rules or a home manual yet. I didn't think it would get booked so fast! I will write my rules tonight after work and make sure to print them out for them.
I will get off work a early tomorrow to greet them as they need to meet my dog as well.
Thank you!!!!
Reply Like 3 replies Delete
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
Keep in mind that the rules guests are held to are the rules listen onsite when they made the listing. Definitely still create a hard copy manual, but it's possible it won't help you in a dispute with these first guests, should one arise. Don't overthink it. Truly, I've never had a problem with any guest who had at least one good review. Have fun and good luck!
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
(listed, not listen. Sorry. )
Bekah and Brian
Bekah and Briana year ago
(UGH when they made the BOOKING , not "made the listing". I'm really tired. )
Evelyn
Evelyna year ago
Congratulations and good luck. It's ok to feel insecure and a bit scared. It's your first time hosting and you're hearing horror stories. My recommendations are:
* House rules - are you ok with smoking? how do you want them to behave in your home? cooking? etc. Look at other hosts rules and adapt accordingly to your needs.
* Guide Book - it should include your house rules, your information (phone number, email), WIFI information, special things about your home and the appliances. Also, it's great to have the nearby train station, restaurants, pharmacy, etc. Places that you love and recommend. Remember they don't know your home and your neighborhood.
* If you have any paperwork or information you want to keep private, put it in your room.
*Provide enough storage space in the bedroom for their belongings. A luggage rack is a great thing if they need to live of their luggage. But closet and drawers space is even better. Especially because they're staying for 14 days.
Have fun. This will be a great experience.
Reply Like 1 like Delete
Pam
Pama year ago
Thank you Evelyn! Great idea about looking at other hosts' house rules! I was drawing a blank for a second.
Reply Like Delete
Kim
Kima year ago
Hi Pam welcome. I think the scariest part is the unknown. I started hosting a few months back and it has all been wonderful positive experiences. I had a no kid rule but a couple contacted me that has a 2 year old and wanted to stay. I was really nervous because I don't have kids and have heard horror stories of kids pooping in the bathtub, peeing the bed, drawing on walls, crying all night... But they had good reviews and it's really slow here so I thought I would try just once. And it was awesome! The baby laughed all the time, was well behaved, played with the animals. So I amended my house rules, kids are ok (as long as they sleep on a pee pee pad). So I understand your nervousness, but most likely it's going to be better than you are imagining. And if you don't like hosting, remember it's only only for 2 weeks and you are making extra money
Reply Like Delete
Pam
Pama year ago
Thank you Kim. I agree, the anticipation is what kills.
My guests gave arrived and they have been great! We've has great conversations as well and I think they're enjoying their stay as well.
Thank you all for the support again!
Reply Like 1 like Delete