2024 is just around the corner, and we have a lot of new initiatives we can’t wait to share with you! But first, we want to take a moment to review the blog posts our readers enjoyed the most in 2023.
We kept busy this year, publishing and updating over 100 blogs! These included the latest industry news, emerging trends, interviews with vacation rental experts, and (of course) tips and resources. As always, our goal has been to empower you with the information and tools you need to grow your business.
On that note, let’s take a look at 2023’s most-loved blog posts.
Most popular blog posts of 2023
20. How to File a Damage Claim With Airbnb AirCover—and Succeed!
Accidents happen when you open your doors to guests. And when they do, it’s important to know that your property is covered.
This is where Airbnb AirCover, a free insurance program designed by Airbnb, comes in.
Whether you’re responding to an incident or simply want to prepare for the future, this blog walks you through how to file a damage claim with Airbnb AirCover and everything else you need to know.
19. Airbnb Host Fees: How Much Does Airbnb Take?
If you’re considering hosting on Airbnb, you probably know that Airbnb charges fees for using its platform to list properties. But it may be less than clear exactly how much will be coming out of your earnings.
This blog details the ins and outs of Airbnb service fees so you can set your business up for financial success.
18. How to Create the Perfect Vacation Rental Welcome Book for Your Guests
It’s important to make your guests feel immediately welcome when they get to your vacation rental. That means creating an inviting and comfortable environment with easy access to everything they need—including information.
We believe welcome books are the best way to strike the right chord, providing all the details a guest could want and even anticipating their needs. So, we’ve created this blog with tips on how to create an effective welcome book and a free template you can download to get started.
17. 48 Inspiring Women to Follow in the Vacation Rental Industry
We had a blast creating this blog on women in the vacation rental industry to celebrate International Women’s Day. Our list is made up of female-identifying business owners, influencers, and educators who play a key role in inspiring upcoming professionals in this sector.
There’s a lot we can learn from these impressive women, so check out the blog and give them a follow!
Ask any host or property manager what their biggest concerns are, and unauthorized parties are sure to make the list. And it’s no wonder: Unauthorized parties can cause property damage, costly repairs, loss of income, and even potential liability for hosts.
So how can you prevent them? To find out, we reached out to over 170 hosts and property managers to ask about their experiences. This blog shares the insights they’ve gained after having to pay a combined total of $270,000+ in damages.
15. Best Places to Buy a Beach House for Vacation Rentals in 2023
Beach houses make great vacation rental properties. But with so many beautiful beaches in the U.S. to choose from, deciding which location is the best investment can be overwhelming.
This piece covers the best places to buy a beachfront property—focusing specifically on California, Florida, and Texas—as well as tips to help you make a smart investment.
14. How to Write the Perfect Real Estate Offer Letter (Free Template)
Chances are, when you find the perfect vacation rental property to invest in, you won’t be the only one interested. So, aside from upping your budget, how do you make your offer stand out?
This is where a sincere offer letter comes in.
In this blog, we explain how to write an offer letter, share best practices, and provide a sample to get you started.
13. How to Use ChatGPT for Your Vacation Rental Business
ChatGPT took off in 2023, proving its usefulness to just about every industry—including vacation rental management. But what are the best ways to use it for your business?
This blog details everything you need to know.
12. Airbnb Essentials: 110 Ideas for a Great Guest Experience
Guests aren’t just renting out your Airbnb for the space itself: They also expect it to be stocked with all the essentials—and then some.
It’s absolutely crucial to ensure that your Airbnb meets all your target guests’ needs, from the basics (e.g., linens) to the more niche (e.g., a work-from-home setup for workationers). And if you want to snag repeat customers, you might even throw in some extras to delight your guests.
So, where should you start? With our Airbnb essentials checklist.
11. How to Prevent Airbnb Guests From Bringing Extra Visitors
One of property managers’ greatest challenges is preventing guests from bringing extra visitors without prior approval. Whether your guests organize an unauthorized party or simply exceed your guest policy without paying for an extra person, this is an obstacle without a simple solution.
Here we explore some effective measures to prevent guests from bringing extra visitors as well as tips on how to handle this situation should it arise.
10. Vacation Rental House Rules Template to Avoid Guest Trouble
No matter how often you rent out your vacation home, house rules are crucial to let guests know what to expect and protect your investment. After all, you won’t be there to tell guests what they can and cannot do, so it needs to be established from the beginning.
So, what do you need to include? And how much detail should you go into? This blog covers everything you need to know.
9. 57 Must-Have Amenities for Every Vacation Rental Home
Clearly, our readers understand the importance of amenities!
If you’ve already taken a look at the blog on Airbnb essentials above but you don’t rent through Airbnb, you might want to give this blog a read as well. This amenities checklist covers 57 items to consider including in your vacation rental to meet guests’ every want and need.
8. Lodgify Report: Occupancy Cools in 2023 Summer Slumber
The summer is a peak season for most property managers in the U.S. But the fact that demand is typically higher for these months doesn’t necessarily guarantee you success.
To give property managers an idea of what to expect, we analyzed more than 740,000 bookings to identify key changes in last summer’s short-term rental industry. This blog provides key insights and recommendations based on our findings, which may prove helpful for next summer as well. (That’s right, 2024 summer bookings are just six months away!)
7. Airbnb Co-Host Agreement: Free Template for Vacation Rental Owners
We could all use a little help sometimes, especially when it comes to managing vacation rentals. Luckily, Airbnb allows vacation rental owners to have a co-host assist them in taking care of their home and guests.
If this sounds like just the lifeline you need, check out this blog to learn more and download a co-host agreement to get started.
6. Vacation Rental Business Plan: 15 Steps for Success (Free Template)
A vacation rental business plan is absolutely essential to the success of your business. By making you nail down specifics such as your goals, target customers, and plans for operating, a business plan ensures you move in the right direction.
If the thought of crafting a business plan is overwhelming, this blog is for you. We review everything from why a business plan is important to best practices for writing one (plus, there’s a free template you can download!).
5. Airbnb Property Management Contract (Free Template)
It’s generally best practice to sign a contract anytime you go into business with someone, and that includes Airbnb property managers.
Having an Airbnb property management contract in place can save you big down the road, so it’s well worth your time to create the document—especially since we’ve given you a head start with this guide and free template!
4. USA’s 10 Best Places to Buy Vacation Rental Property in 2023
When it comes to vacation rentals, location matters—and not just for guests.
Location is one of the biggest determinants of whether a vacation rental property is a good investment or not. So, if you’re looking to purchase a property, your first step should be determining where.
This blog walks you through the 10 best U.S. places to buy in 2023 for a great return on your investment.
3. Short-Term Rental Expense Spreadsheet (Free Template)
How often are you stressed at the end of the month because of expense management? If you ever find yourself overwhelmed by bills, mortgage payments, taxes, or other expenses, you probably need a short-term rental expense spreadsheet.
Luckily, that’s just what this blog provides! This is such a common concern that this blog always ranks in our top five.
2. Short-Term Vacation Rental Agreement: Free Template for Hosts
A short-term rental agreement outlines expectations and responsibilities for both hosts and guests. It covers you both in case of a discrepancy or dispute, and gives you extra confidence when opening your doors to strangers.
So, it won’t come as a surprise that rental agreements are absolutely essential to have in place!
This blog, which provides a free vacation rental agreement template for download, is always popular for that very reason.
1. Lodgify Turns 10: A Decade of Innovation
We still can’t believe that 2023 marked 10 years of being in business.
Lodgify launched in 2013 with a team of just four people and a dream to revolutionize the vacation rental industry. Today, we’ve grown to a global team of 300 members. And what’s more, we’ve remained true to and followed through on our mission to empower independent hosts and property managers everywhere.
Check out this blog to relive the major milestones from our incredible 10-year journey!
New blogs for a new year
We hope these blogs have helped you navigate the ups and downs of short-term rental management in 2023, and want to say thank you for taking the time to read them. This industry is constantly evolving and introducing new challenges, and being prepared with the necessary knowledge and resources is the best way to confront it.
On that note, here’s to even more success in 2024—and more blogs to help you along the way!
