Are you spending too much on your Airbnb? (2024)

This week, everything I ordered for my upcoming property maintenance check arrived…all $700 worth.

That massive total in my Amazon cart really got me thinking…are we spending too much on our Airbnbs?

If you’re checking out what other hosts are up to, it might not take long to convince yourself to buy makeup towels, tissue box holders, customized coasters…the list goes on and on.

The pressure to buy, buy, buy can feel never-ending.

As Airbnb hosts, we’re especially susceptible to convincing ourselves we need EVERYTHING because we never know what will go wrong at our property or what tiny detail our guests will call out in a less-than-glowing review.

But, if you let yourself worry about too much, you’ll quickly find that there’s nowhere to draw the line.

Whether you’re a first-time host trying to figure out what you need in every single room of your Airbnb, or have been hosting for a while and are trying to optimize your Airbnb, I encourage you to take a step back and ask yourself:

Do I really need that? Or am I just being paranoid?

To decide what’s truly worth investing in, start by weighing the pros and the cons: If you don’t buy that new shiny thing, what’s really the worst that could happen? What’s the likelihood of that happening?

Sometimes, you might decide buying that item is worth the investment–-like these bed bug mattress encasem*nts that, yes, are pricier than typical mattress protectors, but are way less expensive than throwing out all your mattresses in a worst-case bed bug scenario.

Read on for 10 non-essential Airbnb items truly worth investing in.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I’m not affiliated with Airbnb in any way (other than being an Airbnb host, of course). Read my full disclosure policy here.

10 non-essential Airbnb items worth the investment:

Are you spending too much on your Airbnb? (2)

Bed bug mattress protector / Fireplace guard / Furniture anchors / Code Names / Rummikub / High-quality coat rack / Extra coasters / Backup coffee maker / Keyless door handle / Kids’ dinnerware

Safety Gear

If I could turn back time, I would have made a bigger investment in safety gear as soon as I opened my Airbnb. Bed bug prevention, fireplace guards, and furniture anchors are all much less expensive than recovering from a full-blown bed bug infestation, someone falling on a hot fireplace, or a kid climbing your bookshelf and it toppling over. (Note: these are all in addition to any existing safety gear at your Airbnb, like this amazing built-in baby gate, child-proof cabinet locks, and fire extinguishers.)

Rental-friendly Games

Providing board games at your Airbnb isn’t a must-do, but it does as add a nice touch that can easily help guests have a more enjoyable time together. So, spending a few bucks on rental-friendly board games like Code Names and Rummikub is definitely worthwhile. Not only are Code Names and Rummikub super easy to learn and fun to play, but if guests lose a few pieces, they can still keep playing!

Keyless Door Handles

If you have any interior doors that require a key but need to stay unlocked for guests, don’t take any chances. Swap those handles for keyless doorknobs. There are so many people coming in and out of your Airbnb, even the most seemingly obvious doors will accidentally get locked and who knows where the key will end up. If something is lockable and you don’t want it locked, replace it with a keyless handle.

Backup Items

Certain things at your Airbnb are very likely to break or go missing. Coffee makers and remotes are some of the most susceptible. Don’t risk going weeks without a coffee maker because you have to wait for an Amazon delivery. Instead, store backups of these items in your supply closet–you’ll be happy you did when they inevitably need to be replaced.

Kids’ Dinnerware

As much as I love hosting families, I admittedly don’t supply many kids’ items at my Airbnb. Things like high-chairs and pack ‘n plays are hard to keep clean and can even become dangerous, so I don’t provide them. But, why not provide this inexpensive, dishwasher-safe kids’ dinnerware set? Guests traveling with kids will be happier and you’ll be happy that you have fewer broken plates. Win-win.

Pro tip: One of the best things you can do to increase your revenue is optimize your listing.

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Are you spending too much on your Airbnb? (2024)

FAQs

What is the downside of owning an Airbnb? ›

Higher expenses.

You'll also have to invest in high-quality furniture, decor, appliances, and popular amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for your guests. Additionally, Airbnb hosts must cover electricity, water, cable TV, and WiFi, costs of cleaning services, and perform regular property maintenance and repairs.

How much does the average Airbnb owner make? ›

Airbnb Owner Salary
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$242,000$116
75th Percentile$125,000$60
Average$86,197$41
25th Percentile$26,500$13

Are Airbnb worth owning? ›

Make sure you do your research before committing to Airbnb investing. Based on a survey carried out on 1,000 people, “54% of those who own their own home said they'd consider renting it out through a service like Airbnb, and 82% believe this is a good money-making strategy”.

Can you really make a lot of money with Airbnb? ›

On average, hosts in the United States make more than $13,800 per year, according to Airbnb, but those numbers vary. Some hosts buy or lease a number of apartments or homes and rent them out full time. Your earning potential depends on: How much you charge for your space.

What Airbnbs make the most money? ›

Takeaways: Airbnb Full-Apartment Listings

For Airbnb hosts looking to make a living on the hospitality platform, full apartment rentals are the way to go. Rates for full apartments are significantly higher than those for single rooms and income after expenses ranged from $15,000 to $31,000 in our analysis.

How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month? ›

What Is the Average Airbnb Host Salary by State
StateAnnual SalaryMonthly Pay
California$37,509$3,125
North Carolina$37,432$3,119
Massachusetts$37,405$3,117
Oklahoma$37,372$3,114
46 more rows

Where do Airbnb hosts make the most money? ›

According to Tipalti's study, Hawaii is the US state with the highest average annual host earnings. There, Airbnb hosts make, on average, a whopping $73,247 per year. Tennessee hosts follow right after, with $67,510 per year thanks to the state's many gorgeous properties and attractions.

Can you make a living owning Airbnb? ›

According to online data, Airbnb business owners can make close to $100,000 per year, if not more, without owning any properties. From being a co-host to becoming a vacation rental consultant, we've compiled the top 10 ideas on how to make money with Airbnb without acquiring a property. Figure out the best fit for you.

What is the success rate of Airbnb? ›

While there are rare instances where rates reach around 75%, these are typically outliers. The nationwide average Airbnb occupancy rate, irrespective of full- or part-time properties, stands at 48%.

How many Airbnbs do you need to make a living? ›

To become a full-time Airbnb entrepreneur, you'll almost certainly need to grow beyond offering just one property for rent. It may take three or even 10 rentals, depending on how often you can rent out your properties and for how much, to become financially secure. Growing your property portfolio is not easy.

Why is Airbnb not profitable? ›

Unfortunately, some investors end up investing in an area that limits the amount you can make from Airbnb properties. Additionally, some investors get caught up in popular areas and end up in an oversaturated market, leaving them with fewer guests than they anticipated.

How to earn 6 figures in 6 months on Airbnb without owning property? ›

1. Follow to Airbnb rental arbitrage strategy. With Airbnb rental arbitrage, you can immediately start making money without buying a property. Rental arbitrage is the business model where you rent a property on a long-term basis and then offer it to guests for short term rental.

Is Airbnb business risky? ›

Hosts are paid out based on guest stays. Guests often find Airbnb is cheaper, has more character, and is homier than hotels. Risks of hosting include renting your place to rude guests, theft or damaged property, complaints from neighbors, and potential regulatory violations depending on your location.

How much can you make renting a room on Airbnb? ›

Average Annual Host Revenue by Room Count: 2021/2020
ROOM COUNTAVERAGE ANNUAL HOST EARNINGS 2021AVERAGE ANNUAL HOST EARNINGS 2020
1 Room$8,586$4,680
2 Rooms$13,067$7,482
3 Rooms$18,026$10,915
4+ Romss$28,143$17,808
1 more row

Is starting an Airbnb risky? ›

Hosts are paid out based on guest stays. Guests often find Airbnb is cheaper, has more character, and is homier than hotels. Risks of hosting include renting your place to rude guests, theft or damaged property, complaints from neighbors, and potential regulatory violations depending on your location.

What to know before owning an Airbnb? ›

Let's look at a few things you need to consider prior to setting out that welcome sign to your Airbnb home.
  • Familiarize yourself with your Local Laws and Regulations. ...
  • Keeping the Neighborhood Peace. ...
  • Know your Taxes! ...
  • Get Insured. ...
  • Set Up a Business Plan. ...
  • Understand the Mechanism behind Airbnb.

What happens if an Airbnb host sells a house? ›

Listing details, calendars, and reservations all go away when the property changes ownership. The good news is that all of your profile details including your reviews and stats stay with you. So all that hard work you did to become an amazing host moves with you.

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