5 Apps to Make Vacation Rental Business Easy as Pie

Featured article by Inna Shevchenko, Independent Technology Author

Ready to manage multiple Airbnb listings on the go? There’s an app for that. Do you manage your Airbnb listing as a sideline business? There’s an app for that, too. The beauty of the Airbnb model is its accessibility and the ease of booking from your phone or tablet, without frustrating reservation sites or the need for cumbersome, computer-only property management software. There are several apps available for Airbnb hosts, and while they may not solve all your problems, they easily save you valuable time. Using one or more of these five apps can help anyone manage their Airbnb listings remotely.

Smart Receipts

Never worry about reconciling your paper receipts again with Smart Receipts expense calculator. Simply photograph your paper receipts with your phone camera, and the app will compile a professional expense report for you. This is very handy at tax time, especially if you have more than one property.

If you’re managing multiple Airbnb properties, use Smart Receipts to track your mileage between locations. Hosts with properties in different parts of the country can generate expense breakdowns by location, or sort their expenses by each property. If you’re managing several Airbnb listings, you can also compile a different report of expense category – things like cleaning services and paper goods. As you’re tracking your expenses, you can see where you can save, or how much product you’re actually using.

AirGMS Vacation Rental App

This app is scalable, free for users with just one property, and a small fee for users with multiple properties. With capabilities to share access with other users on the owner’s team, AirGMS gives you a snapshot of your rental, allows you to manage your booking calendar, and facilitates team member use straight from your smartphone.

Managing multiple properties can be a challenge. AirGMS allows users to view their bookings at a glance, and respond to messages instantly. There are also auto-reply templates, customizable for a more personal touch. Another feature of AirGMS is the ability to merge all your Airbnb accounts into one organized platform – you can manage cleaning for all listings from one screen, as well as a multi-property bookings calendar. The app has the full functionalities of the web software and is available for both Andriod and iOS.

Houzz

The success of your Airbnb listing lies in its ambiance. Better curb appeal, more inviting spaces, and comfortable, functional furniture and accessories bring your Airbnb listing from good to great. Using the Houzz app, you can discover design ideas, shop online for your space, and even get in touch with local designers to help implement your new look.

There’s an active community on the app, with forums for finding ideas and discussing design problems and solutions. Many users are also Airbnb hosts, and several have reported finding inspiration for boosting their guest experience on this app. For bouncing ideas off like-minded users, or refreshing your properties on the go, Houzz has all your décor needs at your fingertips.

August Smart Lock

If you manage Airbnb properties remotely, or if you can’t physically be there to welcome every guest, using a remote access security feature like August Smart Lock can help you manage who has access, and when. With unique codes, programmable from your computer or the August app, you can determine when your guests have access to the listing, as well as the ability to end the validity of the code once the reservation has ended.

You can also allow housekeeping and maintenance into your property remotely, with specific codes that can either be used during certain times, like maid service, or one-time access, for a repairman. Using August Smart Lock in conjunction with the app on your phone allows you to see who enters and exits your property, and when. If there’s ever an issue with a guest at your Airbnb property, disabling their access code may be an option in an emergency.

Google Trips

If your guests are new to your city or don’t have an agenda set, Google Trips can help them plan their days, get inspired with new things to see and do, keep their Airbnb reservation handy, and even download maps and directions for offline use. Users can easily plan a trip to a new city – the app sets our a half-day or full day experience including sightseeing, restaurants, and other areas of interest.

As an Airbnb host, you can include links to your city’s Google Trips site, giving them suggestions to plan out full day or half day entertainments. If they don’t see anything that piques their interest on the front page, then they can simply tap a small icon, and more suggestions pop up.

Technology makes hosting Airbnb properties even easier, especially with apps that can help you streamline your business operations and enhance your guest experience.

Inna is an expert in vacation rental management business and is currently working as a marketing director at AirGMS, the vacation rental software company.  She is a dedicated marketer with over 11 years of experience and passion for content writing.