Is Airbnb management worth it? Why the fees pay off

Let’s be honest. If you’re asking, “Is Airbnb management worth it?” you’re asking a smart question, not a naive one.

Whether you’re running a full-time short-term rental (STR) or just renting your holiday home a few times a year, the idea of paying someone else to do what you’ve been managing yourself can feel unnecessary, even wasteful. If you’ve done the math, you might think management fees can eat into your margins.

But what if the numbers you’re looking at don’t tell the full story?

What if STR management isn’t an added cost, but a lever for higher income, better reviews, and more peace of mind? This blog will address homeowners’ hesitations about investing in Airbnb management and communicate how Airbnb management, in fact, means better reviews, more bookings and increased revenue.

Why are homeowners hesitant to invest in Airbnb management?

Most STR hosts are reluctant to outsource their Airbnb management for good reason.

Perhaps you have:

• built your own listing,
• found a reliable cleaner,
• watched countless YouTube videos about dynamic pricing, and
• are proud of the setup.

Or maybe you’ve heard horror stories. A friend signed up with a management company and got locked into a clunky contract, with no visibility and little return. Or worse, the reviews dipped, and the earnings didn’t.

For some, the hesitation is financial. You might be wondering:

• “How much do Airbnb management companies charge?”
• “What if I don’t get enough bookings to make it worth it?”
• “Why pay for something I can just do myself?”

All fair points.

But often, these questions point to a deeper challenge: you’re doing all the work, but the returns are stalling. Reviews are inconsistent. Bookings aren’t as strong as they used to be. And the hours you’re spending are creeping higher every week.

At some point, you realise: something’s got to give.

Is Airbnb management worth it? The numbers don’t lie

If you’ve ever wondered whether Airbnb management is worth the fee, here’s what you might not know. According to AirDNA, from July 2024 to June 2025, professionally managed short-term rentals in Australia earn, on average, 39% more in monthly revenue and achieve 43% higher average daily rates (ADR) compared to self-managed listings. 

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That adds up to an annual revenue loss of $19.2k for a non-managed property. While paying property management fees might seem like a loss, it’s hard to ignore the financial gains. 

With Hometime, those gains go even further. Listings that meet Hometime’s optimisation standards see up to 36% more bookings. 

And it’s not just about earnings, it’s about time, too. Most DIY hosts spend hundreds of hours each year managing guests, pricing, cleaners, and maintenance. Hometime removes that workload completely, while only charging when bookings come in. You get better reviews, more income, and full visibility, minus the stress. For many homeowners, it’s not a question of whether they can afford to pay a management fee, but whether they can afford not to.

Hear from Hometime’s Melbourne homeowner 

A Melbourne short-term rental homeowner shared her experience working with Hometime, highlighting the difference it’s made in both guest satisfaction and her peace of mind.

“You’re not sure at first — you think it could just be the advertising. But I’ve found everyone’s been on board… There is that response to communications, and if they’ve [guests] had any issue, I can see they’re commenting on how appreciative they are of the response times.”

Since partnering with Hometime, she’s seen consistent presentation, stronger reviews, and better-than-expected earnings:

“There’s consistency in its presentation, and people provide positive feedback — that helps. I think [earnings] have actually exceeded expectations… The portal is very user-friendly too, which is great because I’m busy and don’t have time to analyse everything.”

She’s even recommended Hometime to neighbours:

She explains to her neighbour that managing your property yourself is “tricky to do if you don’t have the time. Sometimes it’s just better to hand it over… it just takes the load off if you’ve got an efficient team behind you.”

Time is money: the hidden cost of DIY

“How much do Airbnb managers charge?” is just part of the equation.

The real question is: What is your time worth?

Here’s a snapshot of what most DIY hosts are managing each week:

• answering guest messages,
• coordinating cleaning schedules and changeovers,
• Airbnb pricing strategy (often not optimally),
• managing reviews and complaints,
• updating listings with seasonal content,
• troubleshooting lockouts, lost keys, or Wi-Fi issues, and
• booking property maintenance services and handling invoices.

Even at 8 hours per week, that’s over 400 hours per year.

Hosts often say, “I’m saving money by doing it myself.” But if you're stretched thin, missing opportunities, or can’t grow beyond one property… are you?

With Hometime, the team only charges a fee when bookings come in. So, putting the paperwork in place doesn’t cost anything upfront. It just means they’re ready when you are.

What does an Airbnb manager do?

STR management fees can feel high until you see what’s included. So if you're wondering, “What does an Airbnb manager do?” with Hometime, it’s simpler to ask: “What don’t they do?”

Here’s what Hometime does as part of its all-inclusive Airbnb management service:

• Listing optimisation: Poor listings = fewer bookings and lower revenue. Hometime manages thousands of properties and knows better than anyone how to build high-performing listings that convert. Once live, listings are constantly managed and refreshed to keep your listing competitive. 
• Professional photography: Properties styled and photographed by Hometime’s standards are worth it, receiving, on average, 24% more bookings than those using non-professional imagery.
• Revenue management: Most competitors rely on automated pricing algorithms. Hometime’s local pricing experts, however, manually adjust for things algorithms miss, like local events, renovations, or unique property value. This increases your income and occupancy without you having to lift a finger, making ownership more passive and profitable. 
• Cleaning and restocking: Hometime partners with a reliable network of vetted cleaners. You can count on hotel-quality linen, replenished toiletries and avoid the stress of last-minute cancellations. 
• Guest communication and vetting: Hometime’s local hosts manage all messaging and guest vetting to make sure the right guests stay at your property. They’re rated 10% higher for communication than Airbnb competitors.
• Maintenance coordination: From leaking taps to restocking supplies, your property’s needs are managed quickly, cost-effectively, and without your direct involvement.
• Multi-channel listing distribution: Your property is listed on Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and more, widening your reach beyond a single platform so you can enjoy higher occupancy and more income. 
• Performance tracking via the Homeowner Portal: Gain real-time visibility into your bookings, earnings, maintenance, and guest reviews.

Unleash your property’s full potential with Hometime

If you’re searching online for “how to find someone to manage my house on Airbnb,” look no further. Hometime’s approach isn’t about charging for every interaction or pushing properties through a rigid system. It’s about providing full-service support, tailored to your property and your goals. And because Hometime only charges when bookings happen, there's no barrier to getting started.

You're already paying a fee, in your time, your missed bookings, your up-at-midnight messages. So, why not pay a fee that pays you back? Get your free earnings estimate at Hometime today.: