5 Steps to Success in Airbnb Investing for Beginners

Updated : Mar 13, 2025

Airbnb investing for beginners requires careful planning to choose the right location and then find the right property, which has to be equipped with the right amenities and priced appropriately to maximize occupancy and revenue. 

While the demand for Airbnb properties continues to flourish, entering the vacation rental investment market can feel like navigating a complex ecosystem. There are multiple markets to invest in, and identifying the right Airbnb investment property can be a daunting task. However, you can create a thriving Airbnb portfolio with the right hosting approach and data-driven insights.

What is Airbnb investing?

Airbnb investing refers to buying properties specifically to rent out as short-term rentals via Airbnb, aiming to generate income from travelers seeking accommodations either for the short term or the mid-term.

How Does Airbnb Investment Work?

Once you’ve decided to get into Airbnb investing for beginners, you should first research the market in which you want to invest. After you finalize the market, you should start looking at the kind of properties you want to buy in that market. While looking for properties, you should also try to understand the short-term rental restrictions of that locality. 

Once you have the property, you should:

1. Follow hosting tips and tricks to set your property up for success.
2. Stage the property to match the needs of your target guests. 
3. Create a listing on Airbnb that answers all your guests’ questions.
4. Market your property on social media and other platforms if necessary. 

The primary source of your ROI will be your rental income, which can be controlled through the right pricing strategy. If you’re in the rental arbitrage model, you would also benefit from the property’s appreciation over time.

Airbnb vs Long-Term Rentals: Which Offers Better Financial Stability?

Long-term traditional renting will provide consistent revenue and more stability. While Airbnb investing for beginners can generate substantial income during peak seasons, they will also experience low occupancy and lower income during the low seasons.

Generally, due to fixed monthly rents, traditional long-term renting will provide sustainable income. However, it is not necessary that you completely discount Airbnb short-term renting. The profit generated depends on your market. If you are in a market, where long-term renting is more common, then you would see more profit with long-term renting. If you’re in a mixed seasonality market, then you should consider short-term renting during the STR season, and long-term renting during the rest of the year.

A mix of both: Airbnb and long-term renting – might be a better option as it allows you to capitalize on the market during all seasons when you get into Airbnb investing for beginners.

How Do You Invest In Airbnb?

You’ve weighed the pros and cons of Airbnb, understood the potential of Airbnb investing for beginners, and now you are looking at getting started – we have detailed the entire process of getting started with Airbnb investing for beginners.

#1 Identify The Best Places To Invest In Airbnb

While getting started with Airbnb investing for beginners, you should find the right location. You will commit to that property for the long-term, so you should ensure it is the right fit! The first step is to brainstorm cities. 

Things you should consider when choosing a city:

1. Local regulations that might affect occupancy and renting period
2. Seasonality of that market
3. Rental demand in terms of the kind of stays
4. Types of properties that are in demand in that market

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, use market analytics tools like PriceLabs Market Dashboard to make informed decisions.

Remember that your chosen location should be appealing and convenient for guests. Think about what amenities you’d like near – a beach for a seaside escape or the bustling city center for an urban vibe. By choosing the right location, you’re setting yourself up for success in the vacation rental game.

#2 Identify Costs Associated With The Property

Airbnb investing for beginners involves various costs that can significantly impact profitability.

Initial Costs

1. Property Purchase: The most significant upfront cost is the purchase price of the property, which can vary widely based on location, size, and condition.
2. Renovations and Furnishings: Properties often need renovations and quality furnishings to attract guests. This includes beds, linens, kitchen appliances, and decor, which can add up quickly.
3. Legal Fees: Depending on the location, you may need to pay for legal advice to ensure compliance with local regulations regarding short-term rentals.

Ongoing Costs

1. Mortgage Payments: If the property is financed, monthly mortgage payments will be a significant ongoing expense.
2. Utilities: You must cover the costs of electricity, water, gas, internet, and other utilities, which are typically included in the rental price.
3. Cleaning and Maintenance: Regular cleaning between guest stays and ongoing property maintenance is essential for guest satisfaction. You should consider cleaning fees when you hire cleaning services. 
4. Insurance: Short-term rental insurance is important to protect against damages and liability. This can be more expensive than standard homeowner’s insurance.
5. Property Management Fees: If you opt to hire a property management company to handle bookings and guest interactions, this will incur a monthly fee, typically ranging from 10% to 30% of the rental income.

Airbnb Fees

1. Service Fees: Airbnb charges hosts a service fee for each booking, typically around 3% to 16%, depending on the cancellation policy and other factors. This fee is deducted from the host’s payout.
2. Guest Fees: Guests are also charged service fees, up to 14.2% of the booking subtotal. This fee varies based on the booking conditions and may increase for longer stays or cross-currency transactions.
3. Additional Fees: Hosts can add extra charges for cleaning, extra guests, or security deposits. These fees can help offset operational costs but should be communicated to guests. 

#3 Estimate Your Airbnb Investment Income

Once you’ve selected your target market and determined the ideal property size for Airbnb investing for beginners, it’s time to research available rentals for purchase. Zillow is an excellent starting point for browsing listings that match your criteria. It allows you to filter by budget and desired property attributes. Make a note of the addresses that pique your interest.

Next, utilize the PriceLabs Revenue Estimator Pro to project the potential income based on property type, location, and demand trends. Follow these steps:

1. Input the property addresses into PriceLabs to obtain potential rental data.
2. Compare the income potential to similar listings in the surrounding area.
3. Consider seasonal variations in demand and pricing.
4. Estimate operating expenses to calculate the net income.
5. Assess potential risks, including local regulations and market saturation.

By conducting thorough research and using tools like PriceLabs, you can make data-informed decisions about which Airbnb investment property has the best income potential and aligns with your financial goals for Airbnb investing for beginners. Remember to factor in operating costs and potential risks to ensure the investment remains profitable in the long run.

#4 Understand Hosting Tips and Tricks

Once you have a property finalized for Airbnb investing for beginners, you should decide how you want to host it. You should attend short-term rental conferences and events to network with influencers and podcasters and get their hosting tips and tricks.

To maximize your Airbnb property’s appeal and ensure a seamless guest experience, it’s essential to create a compelling listing while effectively managing guest interactions.

How to Create a Beautiful Listing?

1. Highlight Property Features: Clearly outline your property’s unique features, such as spacious living areas, modern appliances, outdoor spaces, or special amenities like a hot tub or pool. Use bullet points for easy readability.
2. Showcase Nearby Attractions: Provide information about local attractions, restaurants, parks, and activities guests can enjoy during their stay. To entice potential guests, mention unique experiences, such as local festivals or events.
3. Use High-Quality Photos: Use professional photography to capture your property in the best light. Include images of each room, outdoor spaces, and any special features. Ensure the photos are well-lit and showcase the property’s cleanliness and inviting atmosphere.
4. Write Engaging Descriptions: Craft a warm and inviting description that conveys the property’s charm and the experience guests can expect. Use descriptive language to paint a picture of the ambiance and lifestyle of staying at your property.
5. Optimize for Search: Incorporate relevant keywords in your listing title and description to improve visibility in Airbnb searches. Think about what potential guests might be searching for, such as “family-friendly,” “pet-friendly,” or “near downtown.”

How to Manage Guest Interactions?

1. Decide on Management Approach: Determine whether you will handle guest communications personally or hire a property manager through a property management company. If you choose to manage it yourself, be prepared to dedicate time to respond to inquiries promptly and professionally.
2. Set Clear Expectations: In your listing, outline house rules, check-in/check-out procedures, and additional fees (e.g., cleaning fees). Clear communication helps set expectations and reduces misunderstandings.
3. Provide Excellent Customer Service: Be responsive to guest inquiries before, during, and after their stay. Quick responses to questions or concerns can lead to positive reviews and repeat bookings. Consider using automated messaging tools to streamline communication.
4. Encourage Reviews: After each stay, kindly ask guests to leave a review. Positive feedback enhances your listing’s credibility and can significantly impact future bookings. Respond to positive and negative reviews to show that you value guest feedback.

Combining an attractive listing with effective guest management can create a welcoming environment that attracts potential guests and fosters positive relationships, leading to optimal occupancy rates and excellent reviews.

#5 Strategically Price Your Property

Optimizing your Airbnb pricing strategy requires a tailored approach in Airbnb investing for beginners. To succeed in the competitive short-term rental market, you should adapt your pricing to factors like property type, location, and seasonality. Using PriceLabs, you can automate your pricing and leverage data-driven insights. By adopting the right pricing strategy, you can maximize your Airbnb revenue and elevate your hosting business. 

You can price your property by any of the six approaches: 

1. Maximum Occupancy Strategy sets competitive prices to ensure bookings for every available night. You should monitor local competition and adjust rates to attract guests while maintaining profitability.
2. The “Get the Maximum Rate” Strategy aims to capitalize on high-demand periods by charging premium prices. You can leverage tools like PriceLabs to identify lucrative booking times, such as holidays or local events, to maximize profits.
3. Minimum Stay Strategy encourages longer bookings, especially during peak seasons, which can increase revenue. PriceLabs offers recommendations to optimize minimum stay requirements based on market data.
4. The Gap Nights Strategy addresses unbookable periods between longer bookings, known as gap nights. By adjusting minimum stay requirements during these gaps, you can ensure valuable nights go smoothly.
5. Long-term Rentals Pricing Strategy reduces the effort of securing frequent guests. While this may yield lower nightly rates, it provides a steady income stream with less management hassle.
6. Dynamic Pricing Strategy combines various pricing strategies to optimize revenue and occupancy rates. PriceLabs’ Dynamic Pricing tools analyze market demand and competitor pricing to adjust rates in real-time.

Learn From A Superhost PriceLabs User: Dolly Duran

A corporate professional, Dolly discovered Airbnb during a 2016 Napa Valley vacation. Inspired by the experience, she listed her Hollywood studio on Airbnb. Six years later, she expanded her short-term rental business, even purchasing a dedicated property during the pandemic. Now an Airbnb Host Ambassador and a Superhost, Dolly guides newcomers in the short-term rental industry, leveraging her experience as a community leader and co-host for others’ properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Airbnb a good investment option?

Yes! Airbnb is a good option. There are over 4 million active Airbnb hosts worldwide. The average host manages 1.65 listings, indicating that many investors operate multiple properties. About 1 million hosts have achieved Superhost status, reflecting a commitment to high-quality service. 

2. Do I Need To Live Near My Airbnb Investment Property?

You don’t need to live near your Airbnb investment, but proximity offers advantages like easier management and faster guest support. Being nearby allows for hands-on oversight and quicker issue resolution, improving the guest experience. However, remote management is also feasible with professional property management and smart home technology, and decisions are made based on personal preferences and resources.