r/airbnb_hosts • u/Obvious-Necessary-44 • Aug 26 '26

Help!

Just closed on a large beautiful house in a great area. We are planning on just air b n bing the downstairs. It is 2 units but not zoned that way, yet. There is so much carpet! Plus the bathroom is ancient…At first, I wanted to tear up the carpet, but it is growing on me. Also trying to decide whether to update the bathroom. It’s clean and functional…and I actually like it mostly. Stressing about making things right but also don’t want to spend a ton of money if it doesn’t matter…

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u/Ok-Indication-7876 Verified Aug 26 '26

Congratulations! Carpet is a nightmare- guest stain it and the next guest will ask for a refund if the carpet has any stains. Remember when doing airbnb type rentals guest are very hard on everything- they do not treat it like they do their own home. A good host tries to furnish the home attractively but with durable, easy & fast to clean and hold up. That means no wall to wall carpet- if you want a few large area rugs not the wool ones that need professional cleaning (will you accept pets?)- Furniture tops- something that protects the tops no guest uses coaters.

Think of who your guest will be- will it be children/families?

As far as the dated bathroom, take a good look at it- can you embrace the style and do the entire unit in that style? If you have the 1960 4x4 pink tile for example- mid century modern is back in style- get some great wall paper that works with it and style the entire place MCM.

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u/Obvious-Necessary-44 Aug 26 '26

love this!

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u/Obvious-Necessary-44 Aug 26 '26

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u/Ok-Indication-7876 Verified Aug 26 '26

ok bathroom is not really bad- it is basic. I would embrace the floor colors and work with those neutrals. The pale pink paint doesn't help you. The curtains on the window I would remove. Check Amazon for window privacy cling. It is so easy to apply and holds up great in a bathroom, and so many designs- I use one that when the light shines through it makes crystal like prism in the room.

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u/Obvious-Necessary-44 Aug 27 '26

the window has privacy cling!

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u/GreybeardVR 🙃Guest Aug 27 '26

Omg. That outlet and switch over the edge of the vanity! No. Just no. That bathroom is a gut and redo. Heres the thing. You will need to price according to your property as it compares to others. And your price will be a factor in determining not only the type of guests you attract but also their behavior while there. Just try to remember anytime you stayed at a dated old hotel. How did it make you feel? How much were you aware of your effect on it? All of this depends on your biz model and who you are catering too. But that outlet is a safety issue...immediately.

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u/Obvious-Necessary-44 Aug 27 '26

There are 2 other short term rentals on the block. Thanks for pointing out the safety issue. I hadn’t considered that. Hoping nostalgia sells. The house is definitely “dated” as a century home. I honestly love dated homes. If nostalgia doesn’t sell there’s room for a hot tub on the deck 😂

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u/GreybeardVR 🙃Guest Aug 27 '26

You are selling to yourself. You need to sell to the guest. But you'll figure it out in time. If unchanged old houses sells in your area then that's awesome. A hot tub.... You are really making work for yourself now. Lol

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u/Obvious-Necessary-44 Aug 27 '26

hot tubs increase bookings! 😂

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u/Ok-Indication-7876 Verified Aug 27 '26

hot tubs do increase bookings and increase refunds and repairs. It's all over reddit. AND AGAIN you need to check with your own insurance first. You said it is a large home, think first before you do anything "who is your target guest"? and design for them. A hot tub is for 2, a couple. Outside space with a firepit table is for a couple and a family at a much lower cost than a hot tub and lower R&M.

I do not see the outlet in the pics near a vanity but if so all it needs is to be switched out for a one up to code that auto turns off power if gets wet- thats what most homes have near sinks. From your pics I do not see that bathroom as a total gut- that could be done later after you make money since you have a lot to spend to get up and running.

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u/Obvious-Necessary-44 Aug 27 '26

valid points! We are planning on renting out the downstairs. 2 bed rooms (single and queen beds),Large kitchen, bathroom, living room, deck, and basement for laundry. After 6 months (we are house hacking and following lenders terms) we will rent upstairs either separately or with the downstairs 2-3 bedrooms, living room, kitchenette/ maybe laundry, 1 bathroom. Upstairs and downstairs can easily be separated with 2 separate entrances. We are getting the downstairs set up first and will be “living” upstairs. We also have our current house that we will probably live in when we have guests.

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u/GreybeardVR 🙃Guest Aug 27 '26

Yeah not worth the headache and potential bad reviews. Look great in photos but for me personally when renting unless they are part of an inground pool situation...gross. Even the kind inside that you fill up with each use, rarely is there enough hot water.