The Treehouse available on Airbnb in Centre, France. A great choice for Design Travelers looking for authentic accommodations in unique locales. If you have a quirky place, consider listing it with Airbnb to earn extra income. Photo credit: Airbnb
You’ve no doubt seen the blissful treehouses, fairy-tale castles, and chic apartments available on Airbnb, and if you’re like me, you’ve probably bookmarked a few as travel inspiration. The home-sharing website is famous for inspiring fantasy vacations, but did you know it can also help you save for that dream trip?
The Gingerbread House available on Airbnb located in Geyersville, Ca. A great choice for Design Travelers looking for authentic accommodations in unique locales. If you have a quirky place, consider listing it with Airbnb to earn extra income. Photo credit: Airbnb
Getting started
Airbnb makes it simple to earn extra money by putting your extra space to work for you. You can share a spare room in your apartment, host your whole home the next time you’re out of town, or create a listing for a vacation house, if you have one. However you choose to host, Airbnb offers support that makes jumping into entrepreneurship unintimidating. The online process to create a listing is pretty quick and easy—you write descriptions of your space, upload photos, and mark dates your space is available to travelers. And it’s always free to create a listing.
The Tile House in Twentynine Palms CA hosts guests looking for unique accommodations on Airbnb. Full of quirky design inspiration, the home is an artist’s haven. Photo credit: Airbnb
Your earnings
So just how much could you make hosting on Airbnb? Find out what hosts in your area are making, and start imagining the possibilities. Besides saving for travel, Airbnb hosts use their extra income to pay off student loans, upgrade their home (kitchen remodel, anyone?), and pursue their passions. Airbnb makes the payment process simple, too. Guests are charged when a reservation is made, and funds are typically released to hosts 24 hours after check-in. How you’re paid is up to you: You can set up direct deposit, PayPal, or a number of other options.
The Mirror House in Pittsburgh, PA is designed by an artist who coaxes the reflectivity of glass into sculpture and decor throughout the home available on Airbnb. Photo credit: Airbnb
Host support
Once you’re a host, Airbnb has all kinds of cool tools to help you feel comfortable and confident welcoming guests. You can find hosting tips on the Airbnb blog and get your questions answered by experienced, successful hosts in the Community Center. Nervous about the safety of your home and belongings when you’re away? Airbnb’s got your back: In the rare event an accident happens, your property is covered up to a million dollars when you host—it’s peace of mind for you at no extra charge.
The living room of a celebrity home available on Airbnb owned by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, located in Kansas City. Photo credit: Airbnb
Outdoor living space of a celebrity home available on Airbnb owned by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, located in Kansas City. Photo credit: Airbnb
And as for the folks staying at your place, everyone who travels on Airbnb needs to submit a profile photo and confirmed phone number and email address. For extra assurance, you can also require your guests to submit a government-issued ID.
The Mirror House has quirky curb appeal making it an authentic choice for accommodations in Pittsburgh, PA. Available on Airbnb Photo credit: Airbnb
Hometown pride
Hosting can also help you show off what makes your city great. Nothing’s more frustrating than meeting a visitor on the last day of their trip and hearing that they only saw the tourist haunts. When you welcome travelers from around the world as a host on Airbnb, you get to introduce them to all that makes your neighborhood great—and drive more business to your favorite local mom-and-pop shops.
Cog Bark Inn located in Cottonwood, ID calls attention to this town with its attention-getting facade in the shape of a dog and its canine-inspired decor, available on Airbnb. Photo credit: Airbnb
Start hosting now, and you can start earning extra money toward your own adventure! Get started hosting on Airbnb