So you own one or several Airbnb rental properties and maybe time isn’t on your side to manage them by yourself. What's the best solution?

Lucky for you, hiring a person who provides professional Airbnb property management services has become quite popular. Your properties will get all the attention they need, and you get to worry less and invest your time in something else.

Ideally, the person that you choose to hire will increase positive reviews, attract new guests, and make sure that everything runs smoothly. But how do you know whether the manager that you hire is qualified or not? Here are 10 tips for hiring vacation rentals and Airbnb managers who are qualified for the job: .

1. How many Airbnbs are they managing?

Always ask a potential Airbnb manager this question. If they aren’t managing any other vacation rental properties or Airbnbs, then you should avoid hiring them. It could mean that they don’t have any experience in the industry.

If they are managing more than 10 properties, then ask them whether they have other employees or not. You don’t want to hire someone who doesn’t have sufficient time to invest in your property.

2. Can they create attractive listings?

Hire an expert who can create attractive and engaging listings. They don’t have to have a degree in Marketing, but they do have to be able to create listings that will attract guests. These listings should include high-quality photos and a nice summary of the property.

Before hiring an Airbnb manager, ask to see some of their listings and make sure that they include:

• Professional photos of properties, from many different angles
• Details about the amenities and photos if necessary
• Well written, relevant, and engaging copy for each property

3. Do the properties managed by them have good reviews?

Always check if the properties that they manage have good reviews. If there are any negative reviews you should read them and try to see what the guests were unhappy about. If it’s something that does not depend on the property manager, you should take them into account, but if they complain about the manager’s services, then that’s a red flag.

4.  What makes them different?

Each vacation property manager should have a selling proposition that is unique and that will differentiate them from their competitors. What special services do they offer and how are they different from other Airbnb property managers?

Here are some examples of services that can make a manager stand out from the crowd:

• Offering current guides that guests can use to find local attractions.
• Giving small gifts to the guests that are practical and that will have a positive impact.
• Sending you emails with monthly status reports.

5. How much do they charge?

It's important to know beforehand what average fees do property managers in your area charge. You should also know what your budget limitations are and how much you are willing to pay for these services. You should expect to spend anywhere between 10% and 30% on a professional manager’s services.

You might be tempted to choose the cheapest option, but that is not recommended. An Airbnb manager who charges less might not offer all the services you require and might not be willing to invest as much time and effort as one who charges more.

6. People skills and communication

Only work with a manager who has great people skills and can communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.  Additionally, they must be willing to answer any questions that you have and listen to your concerns relating to your property. If you are not happy with the way in which the manager communicates, chances are your guests will feel the same way.

Make sure that the Airbnb manager or management company that you hire offers 24/7 assistance for your guests.

7.  What are their cleaning strategies?

Your vacation rental/Airbnb will probably be competing with numerous other resorts and hotels so cleaning standards must be excellent. For instance, hair in the shower or mold in the bathroom are things that shouldn't be overlooked and are potential threats to your business.

Ask your property manager how they deal with the cleaning process. Are they going to hire a professional cleaning company or an independent cleaner? Some managers might even do the cleaning themselves and that is fine as long as they do an impeccable job.

7. References

When hiring, it’s important to make sure they are the right person for the job. A good way to confirm this is by asking for references from their recent clients. Written references are not as valuable as verbal ones, so if a contractor refuses to offer you sever verbal references, then you should avoid hiring him.

Here are some of the most important questions that you should ask all Airbnb/VC managers before hiring them:

• Are you happy with your current property management options?
• Are you happy with their services?
• Is there something that you wish they would do but they don’t?
• What are the main reasons for working with them?

Hiring a property management expert for your vacation rental or for your Airbnb can help you maximise your return on investment (ROI) and you won’t have to spend a lot of time dealing with guests and time-consuming issues.

When issues arise, get the help you need. Bricks + Agent's property maintenance software connects property managers with trusted local trade professionals to help you get maintenance and repairs jobs done fast.

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