How to Manage an Airbnb: Self-Management Pros & Cons

Explore different ways on how to manage an Airbnb: from the pros and cons of self-managing an Airbnb to property management services like Hometime.

Are you looking into owning an Airbnb rental property? If yes, one of the first and biggest questions you'll ask yourself is how to manage an Airbnb — after all, there's so many things to think about: from Airbnb cleaning, guest communication, maintenance checks, and more.

You’ll also need to think about whether or not you want to manage your Airbnb yourself, or if you want to try anchoring it with an Airbnb management company. This decision will have a huge impact on your hosting experience, since it influences your earnings and affects your day-to-day life. In this article, we'll talk you through the pros and cons of self-managing your Airbnb property so you can make an educated decision on which is right for you.

Is it hard to manage an Airbnb?

While many think of Airbnb hosting as a source of passive income, it's actually a lot more involved than it seems. Day-to-day tasks of Airbnb hosts include:

  • Managing your Airbnb listing
  • Responding to guest inquiries and reviews
  • Coordinating guest check-ins and check-outs
  • Scheduling Airbnb cleans, property turnovers, and managing maintenance
  • Property inspection for any damage in-between guests

Because managing an Airbnb in yourself is very hands-on, you typically need to be near your property for personal inspections and to respond to any urgent guest concerns. Depending on your proximity to your property and how many you manage, you can spend as much as 40 hours a week on managing your Airbnb.

How to Manage an Airbnb: Pros and Cons of Self-Management

The Pros of Self-Managing an Airbnb

  • Personal control and high involvement: Self-management means you're involved in every step. You're on call for every decision, big or small. This includes greeting your guests and organising help with issues or maintenance that may come up. For those who relish this direct interaction and the autonomy it brings, self-managing can be quite rewarding.
  • Control over pricing: Setting your nightly rate is more than just numbers; it's about valuing your property on your terms. Self-managing gives you the freedom to adjust your pricing as you see fit, tailoring it to market demands or personal preferences.
  • No extra management fees: By choosing self-management, you can bypass the fees typically associated with professional Airbnb management services. This can be financially beneficial, as it potentially increases net earnings from the rental property.

The Cons of Self-Managing an Airbnb

  • The hidden cost of time: While self-managing keeps your profits undiluted, it demands something equally valuable – your time. Managing bookings can be a full-time job is itself, which is particularly challenging for those who actually have a full-time job or if you have multiple properties.
  • Guest management and communication: You'll also be the one to talk to guests and handle their concerns during the trip. You have to be on-call 24/7 for any guest concerns: if they want a personal key exchange, for example, or if anything gets broken during their trip. Though automated Airbnb messages can save you a fair bit of time, it's still easy to miss out on messages.
  • Dynamic pricing: While dynamic pricing is a benefit of short-term property rentals, understanding and implementing dynamic pricing can be a steep learning curve. It's a strategic game, balancing what you believe your property is worth against the market's fluctuations. Without the right tools or expertise, you might find yourself either undercharging or missing out on potential bookings. 
  • Geographic spread and upkeep: If you have multiple properties across different regions, keeping an eye on each can be daunting. Ensuring consistent quality and addressing maintenance issues promptly becomes more challenging when distance is involved.
  • Airbnb cleaning and property maintenance: While some property owners like the responsibility of keeping their spaces clean, meeting the high standards of cleanliness expected by Airbnb guests requires a lot of time and effort. This includes everything from deep cleaning to ensuring fresh linens – tasks that can become overwhelming, especially after back-to-back bookings.

Self-Management vs Airbnb Property Management


Feature Self-Management Hometime Property Management
Property Styling & Photography Responsible for furnishing, styling, and organising professional photography yourself. Expert Hometime hosts help furnish and style your property beautifully, ensuring high-quality professional photography.
Listing Creation and Management Write and optimise your own listing using AI tools or personal research. Hometime’s Portfolio Optimisation team crafts a high-performing listing following Airbnb SEO best practices.
Pricing Strategy Set and adjust pricing manually based on market trends or third-party tools. Our Revenue Management team dynamically prices your property for maximum earnings.
Guest Management
Manage guest communication, check-ins, and key exchanges.

Hometime local hosts take care of the entire guest experience, including:
- Check-ins & check-outs
- Key exchanges
- Guest support

Cleaning & Maintenance Arrange cleaning either personally or by hiring contractors in between guest stays.

Hometime hosts schedule:
- Hotel-quality cleaning
- Linen replacement
- Restocking, with cleaning fees covered by the guest.

Property Maintenance Conduct regular inspections and organise repairs when needed. Hometime hosts proactively inspect and coordinate maintenance as required.
Property Management Tools Use third-party tools or manage everything or manually through Airbnb.

Gain access to the Hometime Homeowner Portal for:
- Real-time income tracking
- Detailed financial statements
- Calendar & bookings

The Hometime team has extensive knowledge on how to manage an Airbnb to maximise occupancy and increase your revenue. Reach out to Hometime for hands-free STR management.

Learn more about Hometime's Airbnb management services

Can Airbnb manage my property?

No, Airbnb cannot manage your short-term rental property. Airbnb owners are responsible for managing their own properties, unless they choose to work with an Airbnb cohost or an Airbnb manager.

Where can I get someone to manage my Airbnb?

While the benefits of managing your property yourself are strong, the reality involves balancing various factors mentioned above. If you find that the demands seem too taxing, remember that you can reach out to Airbnb property managers like Hometime for help. Hometime's property management services include:

  • Property onboarding:
    We’ll help you set up your short-term rental as quickly as we can so you can start getting bookings ASAP.
  • Listing optimisation:
    Our team constantly works on improving your Airbnb listing through great content, showcasing the best of your property with high-quality professional photos and detailed guides for your guests. This also includes property styling and photography to make your Airbnb stand out and to maximise its appeal.
  • Multi-channel management:
    We list your property on Hometime, Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo to maximise bookings. Calendars between each platform are synced, so there's no risk of double-booking.
  • Dynamic pricing strategy:
    Hometime’s pricing analysts and market experts will help optimise your revenue while increasing occupancy at the same time.
  • Airbnb cleaning services:
    We’ll find the best cleaners to look after your home, whether it’s for regular cleans, deep cleans ready for peak season, or even restocking essentials. We use the built-in cleaning fee from the booking, so there’ll be no need to pay for it out of pocket.
  • Guest vetting, communication, and management:
    We go the extra mile to ensure your guests enjoy every part of their stay, from making the booking, checking in, checking out, and everything in between. This includes taking care of maintenance issues quickly, providing alternatives for late-night arrivals, and even meeting them in person when needed!
  • Property maintenance:
    Hometime’s local Airbnb experts will sort out all your maintenance needs to make both you and your guests happy. We’ll also do our best to get you the best rates for services in the area due to our close relationships with local businesses.
  • Homeowner Portal access: Easily monitor your property's performance at a glance, view detailed breakdowns of your earnings, and view a detailed calendar of guest bookings.
  • Exclusive Hometime partnerships: We have a range of supplier partners across categories such as cleaning, furniture, and consumables to provide high-quality amenities in your property for a great price.

Your choice in how to manage an Airbnb, whether it's to self-manage or partner with a service like Hometime, is a personal decision influenced by your time, resources, and aspirations as an Airbnb host. Whichever path you choose, it's about what works best for you and your goals.

Get help managing your Airbnb by listing on Hometime.
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