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So you’ve planned a retreat for entrepreneurs and booked the Airbnb, but lack of interest forced you to cancel the event. Now it’s time to get creative and find a way to recoup the money you spent on accommodations. What if you listed the space on Airbnb yourself, and sublet it out to get your money back?Chris Reynolds is the founder of Entrepreneur House, a business accelerator that holds events worldwide with the intent of creating a community where entrepreneurs can live together for four weeks, attending goal-setting and productivity workshops as well as taking part in advisor-led seminars and one-on-one coaching sessions. Chris has taken advantage of the Airbnb platform to book accommodations for Entrepreneur House retreats in Chiang Mai, Barcelona and Rio de Janeiro, and then sublet those bookings when they weren’t being used!Today, Chris shares the objectives of Entrepreneur House as well as his advice for Airbnb hosts. Listen in to learn how he was able to negotiate with a landlord who caught him subletting an Airbnb space illegally – and turn that potential conflict into a lucrative business partnership.Topics CoveredWhy Entrepreneur House was launched•Business accelerator for established entrepreneurs•Offers cultural experience through four-week retreats held all over the world•Provides community and sense of belonging•Leverage each other’s skills while mountain-biking, for example•More productive than regular environmentHow Chris employs Airbnb for Entrepreneur House•Uses platform to book accommodations for attendees (in advance and last minute)•Sublets Airbnb when event is canceled or doesn’t need space for entire booking periodHow Chris handled being caught by the landlord for subletting without permission•Landlord discovered Airbnb listing and called meeting•Chris explained intent to recoup loss as entrepreneur•Landlord altered contract to allow for short-term rentals•Chris partnered with owner of leasing company to book the following yearThe dynamic around illegal activity in Barcelona•Drinking on the street, graffiti and pot lounges are technically illegal, but rules not enforced•Short-term rentals are illegal, but people continue without much fear of retributionChris’s advice for Airbnb hosts•Include photos of all rooms (better pics = better bookings)•Offer a flat screen TV (almost always indicates better quality)•Put forth the time and effort to compose a thorough description for your listingChris’s guidance for dealing with a landlord if you’re listing your rental on Airbnb•Be clear about why you’re using the platform•Enter negotiations with a proposal that will benefit you both•If the landlord says ‘no,’ respect the fact that they control the propertyResourcesdnxcamp.comChiang Mai Event Details Connect with Christheentrepreneurhouse.comEntrepreneur House PodcastConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the more frustrating aspect of international travel is cell access. Wi-Fi isn’t always available, and additional data plans can be costly. What do you do without access to maps and information? It can make for a harrowing experience in an unfamiliar place where you may or may not be able to communicate with the locals. Just ask Jasper about his trip to Moscow!David Jacoby, Co-founder and President of Hostfully, joins Jasper to discuss all of the ways that Airbnb is trying to do the right thing. To start, the company is developing a solution to the cell access problem, and their patent application made headlines this week. Airbnb is also working to make things right with regard to racial discrimination on the platform, as well as host non-compliance with regulations in the city of San Francisco.In addition to those stories, David and Jasper cover an organization that is most decidedly not concerned with doing the right thing. Listen in and learn about the misleading anti-Airbnb ad sponsored by Share Better DC.Topics CoveredArticle #1: Airbnb is Trying to Solve This Irritating Problem for Travelers•Patent submission for device geared toward travelers with no Wi-Fi or cell network access•Would allow traveler to download trip info (i.e.: maps, messages, etc.)•Convenience for hosts of international travelers•Evidence of Airbnb’s intention to expand beyond home stays•Aligns with Chesky’s commitment to solve the problems of travelArticle #2: Airbnb, HomeAway Reach Deal with San Francisco Over Registering Hosts•Ends lawsuit filed in June over rules imposing steep fines for unregistered hosts•2,100 hosts registered, 8,000 listings in the city•Hosts will be able to register through the company websites (rather than in person)•Airbnb will share information with the city for verification•Goes into effect in eight months•A significant drop in the number of listings is likely•May have unintended consequences, e.g.: renters migrating to unregulated platforms, loss of tax revenueArticle #3: Woman in Anti-Airbnb Ad Showing Anacostia is an Actress•Misleading anti-Airbnb ad sponsored by Share Better DC•Woman in commercial is an actor from NYCArticle #4: Airbnb Will Let California Screen Some Hosts for Racial Bias•Agreement with California Department of Fair Employment and Housing•DFEH will create fake accounts to see if host is complying with fair housing laws•Screenings limited to hosts with three or more listings (6,000 of the 76,000 total)Resources MentionedArticle #1: refinery29.com/2017/04/152318/airbnb-problem-solving-wifi-for-travelersArticle #2: marketwatch.com/story/airbnb-homeaway-reach-deal-with-san-francisco-over-registering-hosts-2017-05-01Article #3: nbcwashington.com/news/local/Woman-in-Misleading-Anti-Airbnb-Ad-Showing-Anacostia-Is-An-Actress-420752283.htmlArticle #4: fortune.com/2017/04/29/airbnb-california-racial-bias/Harvard Study on "Racial Discrimination in the Sharing Economy"HSDC Trade ShowConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether you’re just getting started as an Airbnb host, or you’re looking to upgrade your status and pick up a few more five-star reviews, the Laptop Landlord is here to share some killer advice that will help you find the right guests for your property and provide high quality customer service during their stay.Tyler Knutzen is an Airbnb host in Chicago who runs the Laptop Landlord website. He utilized Airbnb for the first time in 2012 as a grad student in Eugene, Oregon, during the US Olympic Trials. He realized that local hotels were overloaded, and living only seven minutes from campus made his place prime real estate. Looking to make extra money, he and his fiancé listed their home on Airbnb and hosted two sets of guests during the course of the event.After a move to Chicago, Tyler forgot about Airbnb until he started looking for a side hustle to help pay off his student loans. He tried several other things before remembering just how easy it had been to set up a listing on Airbnb. Now he sets availability whenever he is going out of town, and his guests receive the benefit of his customer service background via clear communication. Today Tyler shares his best advice for Airbnb hosts, explaining how to identify your niche and why overcommunication is key in receiving five-star reviews.Topics CoveredHow a background in customer service helped Tyler as an Airbnb host•Quality communication with guests led to positive reviews early onTyler’s ‘opportunistic’ approach to Airbnb availability•Set availability when you already plan on being gone•Could also set availability for weekends, and do a free ‘staycation’ if listing is bookedWhy Tyler created the Laptop Landlord website•Compiled Airbnb hosting resources•Wanted to share info, help other hosts plug into Airbnb ecosystemTyler’s 4 best tips for Airbnb hosts•Figure out who you are as a host, and create a listing that attracts the right guests•Take time to set up your listing correctly with a specific headline and photo captions•Be proactive with customer service and overcommunicate before, during and after the stay•Perform hosting duties yourself before you delegate, outsource or automateConnect with Tylerlaptoplandlord.comConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conventional wisdom tells us to ‘expect the unexpected,’ and Airbnb news certainly delivered this week, most notably when a guest in Los Angeles received a surprise visit from a SWAT team!Margot Lee Shmorak, CEO and Co-founder of Hostfully, joins Jasper (our homeless host) to discuss that incident as well as the unexpected negative view of Airbnb presented by a few high-profile Democrats on the national stage in the US.They also cover the story of a couple who was pleasantly surprised by Airbnb’s new payment options as they planned their honeymoon trip, and an op-ed explaining why Airbnb’s growth in China is sluggish despite their best efforts. Listen in to understand why anything more than modest growth is unexpected in the Chinese market.Topics CoveredArticle #1: Hotel Industry Details Plans to Fight Airbnb•High-profile Democrats raised concerns about Airbnb•Questioned housing costs, racial discrimination, and consumer protection and safety w/ FTC•Accused Airbnb of evading local tax laws•First time issue raised at national level•Hotel lobby gave $1.3M to congressional candidates during past election cycle•Airbnb spent $485,000 on lobbying in 2016•Polarizing stance is surprisingArticle #2: Why Airbnb’s China Expansion is Stumbling•Name rebrand ‘Airbiying’ is awkward•Homesharing not part of Chinese culture•Only 19% motivated by social aspect•Only 6.5% of Chinese trust strangers•Price difference between Airbnb and hotels is much smaller•Competition is much bigger•Tujia boasts 10 times the number of listings•Regulations make it difficult for foreign companies to do business•The city of Paris has roughly the same number of Airbnb listings as all of ChinaArticle #3: Airbnb Guest Surprised by SWAT Team Looking for Fugitive•New Yorker staying at Airbnb in Los Angeles•Overwhelmed by officers looking for ‘Ashley’•Shot video of the incident•Nervous that local regulations might prohibit Airbnb, he initially claimed to know the fugitive•Later admitted that he did notArticle #4: Airbnb is Quietly Testing Flexible Payment Plans for Guests•Airbnb is testing a feature that allows guests to put down a 50% deposit to reserve a luxury property•Remaining balance is due two weeks prior to arrival•Invented other systems in regions where paying with an international credit card isn’t an option, i.e.: Cuba and Brazil•Demonstrates Airbnb’s willingness to experimentResources MentionedArticle #1: thehill.com/policy/technology/329120-the-hotel-industry-is-planning-a-washington-showdown-with-airbnbArticle #2: techinasia.com/talk/airbnb-china-expansion-stumbleArticle #3: news.com.au/finance/business/travel/airbnb-guest-surprised-by-swat-team-looking-for-fugitive/news-story/0e0d2ee58092d045e8915466a30a59cbArticle #4: fastcompany.com/40410787/airbnb-is-quietly-testing-flexible-payment-options-for-guestsConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is there something you’ve always wanted to try? Maybe it’s surfing, or nature photography, or even burlesque? It can be intimidating to seek out experiences like that on your own if you don’t know anyone in the scene.Airbnb Experiences is designed to give guests an opportunity to try something extraordinary – with a welcoming expert host who can’t wait to share their city with you. Cat LaCohie, otherwise known as Vixen DeVille, is an Airbnb Experience host in Los Angeles who shares the world of burlesque with guests who are curious about the art form.Today Cat shares the process of developing an experience with Airbnb, the specifics of what’s involved in her one- and three-day experiences, and the advantages the program provides to travelers. And if you’re interested in becoming a host yourself, Cat offers invaluable advice regarding how to create a unique experience. Topics CoveredThe qualities the company is looking for in Airbnb Experience hosts•Welcoming•Willingness to meet and spend time with guestsWhy Airbnb approached Cat to serve as host•Her niche in burlesque fit the wide spectrum of interests Airbnb was going for•Cat’s Yelp reviews spoke to her approach in working with othersAirbnb’s initial approach in developing experiences•Provide a range of activities•Select interesting and fun hostsHow Airbnb provided support in developing each distinct experience•Marketing copy•Promotional photos, videos•Hosts paid for time during beta testing (though experiences offered for free)•Provided retainer for hosts to ensure availability during testing phase•Airbnb employees did experiences themselves to provide feedbackCat’s one-day experience•‘Pregame’ dress up and selfies•Burlesque showCat’s three-day immersion•Day One – attend burlesque show•Day Two – class with Cat to learn burlesque technique•Day Three – photo shoot with costumesThe benefits of Airbnb Experiences vs. a typical tourist experience•Extraordinary activities•Expert guidance•Part of a group – instantlyThe diverse guests Cat has hosted•Groups with genuine interest in pursuing burlesque•Individuals moving to LA and looking to make interesting friends•Older women looking to get a new lease on lifeCat’s advice to potential Airbnb Experience hosts•Develop an experience that is linked to your passion•Be sure you have an ‘in’ (share your world/network)•Be flexible and adapt to your guests’ requests•Interact and show interest in your guests•Choose activities that a visitor would NOT know about (rather than what’s ‘popular’)The financial aspects of hosting an experience•Cat’s one-day experience costs $99 for four hours•Airbnb receives 20%•Cat’s expenses include show tickets, drinks, photographer/makeup artist fees•The more people participating, the more lucrative•One person doing one-day experience, only $30 profit•Six people, as much as $500 profit in one nightResources Airbnb Experiences Hosting Info Connect with CatCat’s Airbnb Burlesque Experience‘Vixen DeVille’ WebsiteConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’ve got to keep ‘em regulated.This seems to be the hotel industry’s sentiment toward Airbnb, as revealed in documents obtained by the New York Times this week.Jasper is joined by Glenn Carter, Hostfully Marketing Specialist, to chat about the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s formal plan to rein in Airbnb, as well as a new UBS report suggesting that regulations have slowed the growth of Airbnb in some of the company’s most popular markets.They also cover the lawsuit Airbnb is bringing against the city of Miami for targeting hosts who spoke at a city commission meeting, and corporate travel policies around homesharing. Listen in to find out what amenities attract business travelers and how corporations can benefit from allowing for the use of platforms like Airbnb when employees travel for work.Topics CoveredArticle #1: Inside the Hotel Industry’s Plan to Combat Airbnb•American Hotel and Lodging Association’s action plan to combat Airbnb revealed•Took credit for Federal Trade Commission’s housing cost investigation and steep fines in NY•Hotel industry argues that Airbnb drives up housing costs and hurts the middle class•The numbers disprove that claim as majority of hosts have only one listing•No proof of causal relationship between rising home prices and AirbnbArticle #2: Corporate Travel Still Doesn’t Get Homesharing Despite Business Traveler Use•A mere 17% of corporate travel policies allow business travelers to stay at homesharing properties•Some business travelers unaware of company policy, utilize homesharing regardless•Airbnb caters to business travelers with select amenities•Flexibility and affordability likely to attract more business travelers to Airbnb moving forwardArticle #3: Airbnb Sues Miami After City Targets Speakers at Recent Meeting•City of Miami targeted five Airbnb hosts who spoke at city commission meeting•Airbnb filed lawsuit against city for violation of First Amendment rights•Airbnb argues that hosts had the right to speak without fear of retribution•Airbnb has shown willingness to cooperate with other cities•Strange that Miami would instigate conflict and bring about negative PRArticle #4: Regulation is Slowing Growth in Some of Airbnb’s Most Popular Markets•UBS report suggests that regulations have had a negative impact on Airbnb’s business•Listings in Airbnb’s seven largest markets still grew 40% year over year•Declines noted in NYC and Barcelona, where strict legislation has been enacted•Airbnb looking to grow in other hospitality niches until revenue from homesharing accounts for less than half of the company’s totalResources MentionedGlenn’s GPFYP Podcast InterviewGPFYP Episode 47Article #1: nytimes.com/2017/04/16/technology/inside-the-hotel-industrys-plan-to-combat-airbnb.htmArticle #2: skift.com/2017/04/17/corporate-travel-still-doesnt-get-homesharing-despite-business-traveler-useArticle #3: local10.com/travel/airbnb-sues-miami-after-the-city-targeted-speakers-at-recent-meetingArticle #4: skift.com/2017/04/14/airbnbs-growth-slows-in-markets-where-it-faces-more-regulation Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone loves a good party… Unless of course, that party happens in your Airbnb without your knowledge or consent!We all hope that our guests will be respectful of our possessions and our space, and the vast majority of Airbnb users are good people who do just that. But every now and then a bad apple comes along, and it is a good idea to be aware of Airbnb’s resolution process and think through how you might handle a negative situation should it ever arise.Alice is an Airbnb Superhost who manages Talon Resort, a private mountain home in Tennessee, and lives there when it is not booked. After a weekend rental that was supposed to be for five people, she returned to find evidence that a keg party had taken place in her home. Worse yet, several of her possessions were missing.Listen in as Alice shares her story and offers advice regarding how to handle such difficult situations in a professional manner – and better yet, how to spot the warning signs in advance and avoid a problem altogether!Topics CoveredAlice’s Airbnb standing•Manages four properties•Superhost status•Lives at private mountain home in Tennessee when not bookedAlice’s communication with guest prior to stay•Guest was polite, planned ‘relaxing weekend in mountains’•Alice accepted two-night booking for five people despite lack of reviews•She intended to meet guest at afternoon check-in•Guest altered arrival time to 11pm at the last minuteWhat Alice discovered upon return•In breach of house rule, wood stove was used•Mink stole missing from closet•Bedspread, blanket and bottle of Sam Adams Utopias also missing•Shattered glass in bedroom, on porch and in yard•Bullet holes indicated that guests had destroyed stemware with pellet gun•Bloodstains in closet, vomit in every bathroom and outsideEvidence of alcohol consumed•177 used Solo cups•168 empty beer cans•5 empty bottles of wine•3 empty handles of liquorThe guest’s response when confronted•Didn’t take responsibility•Maintained that only five people were on property•Denied having taken any items•Suggested that glass bottle dropping out of trash bag caused debris in yardHow Alice responded•Called Airbnb right away•Customer service agent advised her to call police•Initiated Airbnb resolution processAirbnb’s resolution process•Must report dispute before arrival of next guest•Host submits request for specific amount of money•Guest has three days to…•Approve and send payment•Decline with explanation•Negotiate via dialogue•If guest fails to respond, Airbnb gets involvedAlice’s experience with the Resolution Center to date•Sent request for return of stolen items and $685•Guest failed to respond•Alice had to write additional report and get estimates of damage•After three weeks, she has yet to hear from Trust and Safety DepartmentWhat Alice is doing differently to prevent future incidents•No remote check-in•Photo of guest’s government ID•Higher security deposit•Qualifiers added to house rules (e.g.: no shooting of any kind)•No alcohol left out moving forwardWarning signs Alice noticed in retrospect•No bio on profile•Change in check-in time to avoid meetingAlice’s advice regarding how to handle similar situations•Be sure to document with before/after photos•Pay attention to detail•Stay calm and organized•Communicate with guests through Airbnb siteResources Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Airbnb was in the headlines for the wrong reasons this week, as an Asian-American guest was stranded by a vicious host who offered race as the reason for the last-minute cancellation. Despite Airbnb’s best efforts to combat discrimination via changes to the platform, the issue continues to plague the company.Today Jasper chats with Nicole Prentice Williams, VP of Strategic Partnerships at Hostfully, about the adjustments Airbnb has made to create an unbiased environment and whether those changes go far enough. They also cover the governor’s race in California, and the big donations Airbnb employees are making to a certain candidate.Listen and learn about the currency conversion fee Airbnb guests are facing as well as the gear you need to outfit your vacation rental. Want that coveted five-star review? Provide your Airbnb guests with these amenities!Topics CoveredArticle #1: ‘One Word Says It All – Asian’: Airbnb Host Reportedly Leaves Guest Stranded Because of Her Race•Guest booked property near Big Bear, California, for ski trip•Reservation canceled upon arrival•Host texted outrageous, racist comments as explanation•Emotional guest interviewed by local news crew•Host banned from the platform•Timing of video release (six weeks later) seems oddArticle #2: How Airbnb’s Redesign Aims to Combat Discrimination on the Service•Instant Book feature•Removal of host pics in search results•Profile photos of guests and hosts minimized•Critics suggest suppression of photos until booking is complete•Airbnb counters that photos are important for security, culture•Hosts rely on photos to help make informed decisionsArticle #3: The Best Gear to Outfit a Vacation Rental or Airbnb•Offers 24-item checklist•Provide better experience for guests (comparable to hotel)•Includes mattress and pillow protectors for the bedroom•Recommends quality towels, hair dryer and clean shower liner for bath•Suggests Wi-Fi extender•Little things like a bottle opener and better toilet paper make a big differenceArticle #4: Newsom Raises Most for Governor’s Race, With Boost from Airbnb•Progressive former mayor of San Francisco•Airbnb employees have donated more than $200,000 to his campaign•Other candidates report largest single-source contributions under $100,000Article #5: People are Really Annoyed About Airbnb’s ‘Hidden’ 3% Conversion Fee•Guests who book in a country with a different currency must pay 3% fee•Credit card company typically charges this conversion fee•Airbnb likely saw an opportunity to make money by doing conversion themselvesResources MentionedArticle #1: washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/04/07/one-word-says-it-all-asian-airbnb-host-reportedly-leaves-guest-stranded-because-of-her-raceArticle #2: cnbc.com/2017/04/07/airbnb-experimenting-with-site-design-to-fight-discriminationAirbnb Open Doors PolicyArticle #3: thesweethome.com/reviews/best-gear-to-outfit-a-vacation-rental-or-airbnbAirbnb News Facebook GroupGPFYP Email NewsletterArticle #4: sfchronicle.com/politics/article/Newsom-raises-most-for-governor-s-race-with-11060806.phpArticle #5: businessinsider.com/airbnb-charges-a-sneaky-3-per-cent-conversion-fee-on-bookings-2017-4Airbnb’s Currency Conversion FeeConnect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The beauty of Airbnb is the trust people place in each other, allowing strangers to stay in their homes and sharing their space – and often their lives. Comedians are in the business of studying people and learning their stories, and today’s guest was fascinated by the concept of home sharing and curious to understand why people choose to host.Jasper is chatting with Greg Schwem, a business humorist, corporate comedian, and syndicated columnist. He often travels for work, so Greg started adding an extra day to his trips and booking an Airbnb with an interesting profile. With their permission, he films a segment with each host and posts to his YouTube channel, A Comedian Walks into an Airbnb.Listen in as Greg shares his unique Airbnb experiences, including a stay on an air mattress in a Volkswagen van and a trip to Miami Beach hosted by a ‘stripper turned house flipper.’Topics CoveredHow Greg chooses an Airbnb•Interesting profile•Extraordinary location/circumstancesGreg’s unique experiences•Row house in DC•Volkswagen van in Vail•Carriage house in Tulsa•Trendy loft in ChicagoGreg’s extraordinary host in Miami Beach•Former exotic dancer•Hosts property in Miami Beach•Career in real estate led to Airbnb•Owned rock and roll paraphernalia store•Very open about her pastHow Greg approaches video production•Airbnb host is the star•His job is to get them talkingWhy Greg is particularly suited to host an Airbnb-themed channel•Background in television news•Open to staying anywhere•Age adds a degree of humor (at 54, he’s often out of his element)•Interest in people and their storiesGreg’s plans for his channel moving forward•Continue to seek out interesting Airbnb hosts/experiences (i.e.: flea market shopping in Texas)•Pursue slot on a streaming video or network channelResources “My Daughter’s Room Would Look Great on Airbnb” by Greg SchwemConnect with Gregwww.gregschwem.comA Comedian Walks Into an Airbnb YouTube Channel Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Hostfully.com where you can create a custom digital guidebook for your guests! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the trend toward instant bookings continues, the Airbnb platform becomes more user-friendly for guests. But what does that mean for you as a host? The policies around cancellations can be confusing, and hosts who prefer the strict cancellation policy operate under a different set of rules.Hostfully President David Jacoby joins Jasper this week to cover the pros and cons of using Instant Book as Airbnb steers its hosts toward that option. They also chat about the recent incidence of theft in Toronto and Airbnb’s response, as well as the latest news about Airbnb’s growth – which may not be as disruptive as people think!Listen and learn about upcoming home-sharing trade shows and conferences on the west coast and the different types of insurance policies you may want to consider – if you are using platforms other than Airbnb. And if you didn’t catch Airbnb’s April Fool’s joke, David and Jasper will hook you up.Topics CoveredArticle #1: Instant Booking Becomes the Big Metric for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals•Airbnb instant booking availability has grown from 460,000 in the first quarter of 2016 to nearly 1M today•Hosts who use Instant Book may cancel penalty-free three times•All Booking.com listings are instantly bookable•New Airbnb system currently being tested in Italy•Service fees higher for hosts using strict cancellation policy•Instant Book seeks to decrease discrimination on the platformArticle #2: Airbnb Fully Reimburses Man Who Had $21K Worth of Items Stolen by Guests•An iPad and two iPhones were among the stolen items•Airbnb does have insurance, but other platforms do not•Select policies carefully, considering both liability and coverage for contents/damages•Deliberate between replacing your current policy or adding a riderArticle #3: Airbnb’s Growth Soars: Senior Women are Fastest-Rising Demographic of Home-Sharing Hosts•151% growth in Nevada•Despite growth, hospitality industry doing well•Affordability of Airbnb creates additional travel demandArticle #4: Airbnb Might Not Be So Disruptive After All•HomeAway is keeping up•Many hosts list on multiple platforms•Allowing short-term rentals can benefit landlords•Hosts willing to pay extra•Property well-maintained•Less turnoverResources MentionedSmartbnbArticle #1: tnooz.com/article/instant-booking-big-metric-airbnb-vacation-rentalsHumanless Host VideoArticle #2: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/airbnb-update-1.4049429CBIZ InsuranceComet InsuranceProper InsurancePropel InsuranceArticle #3: vegasinc.com/business/2017/apr/03/airbnbs-growth-soars-senior-women-are-fastest-risiArticle #4: barrons.com/articles/airbnb-might-not-be-so-disruptive-after-all-1490993239Jasper’s Airbnb Listing QuizHSDC Trade Fair (Bay Area)Host2Host Conference (Portland)Connect with JasperEmail: jasper@getpaidforyourpad.comTwitter: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.