Should you list your home on Airbnb?

Listing your home on Airbnb or any other sharing website is a great way of making some extra money on the side. However, before jumping into such a situation, make sure that you are prepared for the work that it will entail and the risk that you will assume.
 
Firstly, check with the laws in your province to make sure that you are allowed to rent your home out as a short term holiday rental – in some places Airbnb has been banned.
 
Secondly, be sure that you organize yourself properly. Take good pictures of  your place. Good pictures will sell your rental quicker than mediocre ones. Make sure that your home is clean and looks attractive.
 
Next, sell your neighbourhood and the attractions of your city and your location. A good write up in a friendly, approachable manner will go a long way toward bringing renters calling.
 
It is a good idea to also invest in extra amenities including towels, pillows, blankets, linens, utensils, etc… it will save you the hassle of having to rush to clean everything before the next renters come in. Having extras on hand will mean that you can swap out the used items for clean stuff while you clean up.
 
Put together a little book containing a list of your house rules, how to use the local transportation and anything else that someone new to our city would need to know.
 
Another good idea is to include a small fee for laundry and cleaning as this will cover the extra costs you will incur for such items.
 
Lastly, remember that it is good to be friendly to the renters, but you don’t have to be their best friend. Let them know that if they need you, they can reach you, but otherwise let them explore and have fun on their own.