Do your guests love checking out magazines and local guides to help plan their trips as much as I do?

Well, you’re in luck because Travel Oregon offers a variety of magazines, maps, and guides targeted to different areas of the state.

As a host, you are welcome to order several of them for your short-term rental. Order yours today!

We are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for you to show your support for a worthy cause while having a chance to win some fantastic prizes! Host2Host is organizing a raffle giveaway based on the Perfect Portland Picnic to raise funds to support our goals.

By entering our raffle, not only will you be contributing to the sustainability of Host2Host, but you also have the chance to win these fantastic prizes valued at $300:

• (1) $50 Gift Card - Blue Star Donuts: Satisfy your sweet tooth with artisanal, handcrafted donuts that are sure to elevate your taste buds to new heights of delight.
• (1) $50 Gift Card - Ruby Jewel Ice Cream: Dive into a world of delicious ice cream creations made with the finest ingredients and the passion for delivering pure joy.
• (2) $25 Gift Cards (Value $50) - Heroes American Cafe: Indulge in a delightful dining experience while supporting a local establishment that gives back to our community heroes.
• (3) Large Pizza Gift Cards (Value $100) - Escape From New York Pizza: Treat yourself and your loved ones to mouthwatering pizzas crafted with love and care by one of the most renowned pizzerias in town.
• (5) $10 Gift Cards (Value $50) - Caffé Umbria Coffee: Experience the rich flavors and enticing aromas of exceptional coffee beans, ethically sourced and expertly roasted for the perfect brew.

Imagine the delicious indulgence of these delectable treats, discovering new dining experiences, or savoring the perfect cup of coffee – in denominations perfect for your own use or to give as a gift to friends or even guests - all while knowing that your participation is directly contributing to the advancement of Host2Host's mission.

To enter the raffle, simply purchase one or more raffle tickets. Each ticket you buy not only enhances your chances of winning but helps Host2Host continue to provide valuable resources, educational programs, and networking opportunities.

Share this raffle opportunity with your friends, family, and colleagues - you don’t need to be a member to join the fun!

In June, we hosted another terrific meet-up and were delighted with the recommendations provided by our panelists, Board Members Kim Fitzpatrick with STR Source and Anthony Rallo with A+W Projects, Lorinda Taylor with Innstyle, and Kristy Olsen with Radious.



Thanks also to moderator Carlos Camarena for keeping the conversation light and the good recommendations flowing.

We talked about some of our favorite amenities to offer, those that guests really seemed to appreciate, and easy wins we could add to our rentals to keep the algorithms slurping up our listing improvements and serving us up in top results.

Check out our lists of recommendations from a variety of sources, including Amazon for which we may receive a commission:

• Amenities Under $10
• Amenities $10 - $50
• Amenities for Assistance
• Amenities for Safety
• Amenities for Bedrooms and Bathrooms
• Amenities for Kitchens
• Amenities for Children
• Amenities for Pets
• Bulk Amenities

If you want to watch the helpful video, check it out on YouTube. Host2Host members can always access all past meetup recordings anytime on the members-only section of our website.

Host2Host was named an expert in the vacation rental industry on Redfin. Check out the article we were featured in:  20 Tips on How to Maintain a 5-Star Vacation Rental | Redfin.

Host2Host’s very own past-president, co-owner of Summit Prairie, and our eagle-eyed newsletter editor, Alan Colley, provided an insightful suggestion that made the final cut.

Read all about it and come away with some useful suggestions of your own.

May’s monthly meetup, coordinated by the Education Committee was super inspiring and left attendees with the tips and tools they need to launch successful direct booking strategies. If you missed the event, you can watch the video here and enjoy my recap.

Host and Host2Host co-founder, Debi Hertert, asked lots of helpful questions of panelists Anthony Rallo, Kim Fitzpatrick, and David Boe who all offer the opportunity for guests to book directly with their properties in one way or another. She also made sure folks felt included and that everyone had the opportunity to participate in the casual, but educational conversation. 

Topics included key reasons to offer direct booking, how to accept money, minimizing your tax burden, reducing risk, cancellation policies, minimum age requirements, rental agreements, rate strategies, and direct-booking incentives. Whew!

It was packed with helpful information and a ton of useful tools for hosts to employ as they manage their businesses:

• Avalara - municipality tax filing assistance
• Beyond Pricing - rate strategies
• Houfy - no fee direct listing advertisement
• MarketMySTR - client relationship manager
• OwnerRez - channel manager for one-stop marketing edits
• PandaDoc - document signature tool for rental agreements
• RentalFormsCenter - state compliant rental agreements
• Safely - damage waiver and reimbursement service
• SignNow - document signature tool for rental agreements
• Stayfi - wifi access tool collects email addresses for all occupants in a rental

Hope to catch you at one of our next events!

Have you ever wanted to list your rental on a fab-u-lous, niche website? You’ll never have a better chance than now! Host2Host business affiliate, Fabstayz, is PROUD to offer an amazing opportunity to add your Airbnb, Vrbo or Booking listing to their advertising platform for as little as $5.99 per listing and be featured through the end of the year!

This latte-priced offer is being shared with Host2Host members first, ahead of Pride Month and the busy summer travel season. So create your listing with them today!

In addition to this super-discounted $5.99 listing rate, they are excited to announce their brand new Fab! Portland page is live and prominently features Host2Host properties!

To celebrate their launch in the Portland area and their recent partnership with Travel Portland, they’ll be sending engaging content creators like transgender influencer Jordyn Pollack @jojopollack to capture some of the fun, quirky sides of the city that visitors won’t want to miss and Fab! Sponsorships at Portland Pride and Seattle Pride!

Written by Alan Colley, Host2Host Founding Member, former President & co-host of the Summit Prairie Fire Lookout in Tiller, OR

Has the notion of “hospitality” once again been lost in the hustle to maximize our investment? Have we somehow been seduced to believe that hospitality is merely about our winning? Has that one element of what being a host means been lost in the drive to be a “successful business professional”? I don't think so, but I believe it’s important to keep a clear eye on the essence of hosting.

Changes in Short-term Rental Hospitality
Anyone who has been working in this field of short-term rental hospitality for any length of time knows how this segment of the industry has morphed from what I might call the “mom/pop” model to the grand corporate investment model. The primary metrics now seem to be about the number of bookings, maximizing income, and superior reviews.

None of these are bad. In fact, I believe they are essential to being good business people. Yet, I maintain that with all of those skills in your pocket, if you have somehow been seduced to regard them as your primary focus, you miss the most important ingredient - to surround your guests with welcome.

Welcoming and Embracing Hospitality
More than ever I believe that the world still yearns to feel welcomed, to feel that they can “belong anywhere”. In my view, the best hosts lead with caring.

Caring is the secret sauce for being a successful host.

“At its core, hospitality is about receiving guests, making them feel welcome, and providing them with food, shelter, comfort, and safety.”

Given where we are today, how could we do better at shining the light on this core ingredient? What role can those of us with some seasoning share that wisdom? How might we shine more light on what it truly means to embrace hospitality?

Engaging Guests with a Warm, Welcoming Embrace
It occurs to me that the warm embrace of welcome that one feels is a natural result of our caring for the humanity of each guest, no matter who they are. Being a professional business person is just the baseline for meeting a guest’s expectations. 

But, when we reach beyond that to anticipate and answer a particular guest’s unique questions and needs clearly signals our specific attention to them as individuals. How do we do that? By asking, by engaging them in conversation.

In our own hosting business, we make a point of calling each guest before they arrive to be sure they know how to get to our place, to share what they will find when they arrive, and to answer questions they might have. We try to greet them upon arrival and to say goodbye as they depart. And we make a point to do a follow-up call to say thank you for coming.

Appreciating Uniqueness and Variety
Just as the whole short-term rental phenomenon awakened travelers to the richness of meeting real people and experiencing the diversity of those encounters, in contrast to the vanilla sameness of hotels, so too, I believe we need to appreciate that we are not hosting vanilla one-size-fits-all guests. Recognizing and appreciating the uniqueness and variety of our guests, is one way to show attention and to welcome and embrace them.

How can we keep our focus on this essential element of our hosting?

I still enjoy this reminder from esteemed poet and author, Maya Angelou, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”The 

The cancellation policy you select can have a big impact on a host’s ability to earn income since cancellations result in lost revenue and the potential for unfilled bookings.

In this article, we’ll review the policies offered by Airbnb. Obviously, you will want to read the specifics carefully before choosing the right option for your listing.

Airbnb Cancellation Policies

• Flexible: This policy allows guests to cancel up to 24 hours before check-in to receive a full refund. If they cancel after that, you’ll be paid for each night they stay plus one night.
• Moderate: This policy allows guests to cancel up to 5 days before check-in for a full refund. If they cancel after that, you’ll be paid for each night they stay, plus 1 additional night, and 50% for all unspent nights.
• Firm: To receive a full refund, guests must cancel at least 30 days before check-in. If they cancel between 7 and 30 days before check-in, you’ll be paid 50% for all nights reserved. If they cancel less than 7 days before check-in, you’ll be paid 100% for all nights reserved. Guests can also receive a full refund if they cancel within 48 hours of booking, if the cancellation occurs at least 14 days before check-in.
• Strict: To receive a full refund, guests must cancel within 48 hours of booking, and the cancellation must occur at least 14 days before check-in. If a guest cancels between 7 and 14 days before check-in, you’ll be paid 50% for all nights reserved. If they cancel after that, you’ll be paid 100% for all nights.
• Non-Refundable: Under this scheme, hosts must offer at least a 10% discount off of the base price. At checkout, guests select the standard rate subject to the chosen cancellation policy or the discounted, non-refundable rate. If a guest cancels after selecting the non-refundable rate, the host keeps the entire payout for all nights reserved but not the cleaning fee. Generally this applies to reservations with a checkout date taking place within the next 60 days as long as the reservation is not made with a pre-approval or special offer. 

There are also specific, stricter policies for long-term rentals lasting more than 30 days which are offered to hosts by invitation only.

It is important to note that under each of the cancellation policies above, the Airbnb service fee is non-refundable. 

A Blessing in Disguise
Consider also, how easy it is to fill gaps in your calendar. If you offer a smaller, more urban property, a last-minute cancellation can turn into a blessing in disguise. Suppose a guest cancels at the last minute. In that case, it’s an opportunity for you to raise the rate for those available nights by 20-30% since you will be one of the few remaining hosts with availability, especially during the high season for your area.

Which Approach Should I Take?
It’s important to choose a cancellation policy that balances the need to protect your revenue with a desire to attract bookings. A more lenient policy may be attractive but could result in more cancellations and lost revenue. A stricter policy could deter some bookings but can help protect revenue in case of cancellations. 

You will want to read and understand the specifics carefully before choosing the right option for your listing and review the policies periodically since they are constantly being updated. Whatever policy you choose, make sure it’s clear on the booking platform so guests understand the cancellation constraints and be prepared to address requests from guests with extenuating circumstances. 

Host2Host can’t be responsible for policy changes that may happen or any errors or omissions that might have occurred in the creation of this article. As one of my favorite marketing gurus says, “Y'all are grown folks and need to make your own decisions.”

The answer to this potentially controversial question is undoubtedly, Yes. And probably even better than you can. To test this theory, I asked ChatGPT to create a compelling listing description for a hypothetical short-term rental property using the following, mediocre prompt:

Are you able to write a compelling listing description for an Airbnb property with two bedrooms and one bathroom? It is a whole house with a front porch facing a beautiful lake. Features include a hot tub, lakeview, large TV, family gameroom, and chef's kitchen.

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This is what it delivered, in just a few seconds:

Welcome to your serene lakeside escape, a stunning two-bedroom, one-bathroom retreat designed for relaxation and entertainment! This enchanting, privately-accessed whole house boasts an array of luxurious amenities to elevate your stay, nestled amidst breathtaking lake views that promise to captivate you from the moment you arrive.

As you step through the front door, let your gaze be drawn to the mesmerizing view of the lake from the cozy front porch. Unwind with your morning coffee or evening wine as you revel in the tranquility of the surrounding nature.

Inside, the spacious and inviting family game room is the perfect spot for making cherished memories with your loved ones. Enjoy endless entertainment options with our large TV, a diverse board game collection, and comfortable seating for everyone to gather and relax.

The open-concept, chef's kitchen is a true culinary delight, fully equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and a generous selection of cookware. Unleash your inner gourmet and create delectable meals that can be savored around the elegant dining table while basking in the panoramic lake view.

Both bedrooms are meticulously designed to provide the utmost comfort, featuring plush beds and premium linens that guarantee a restful night's sleep. The stylishly appointed bathroom offers a pristine environment for freshening up after a day of lakeside adventures.

Your stay wouldn't be complete without indulging in the private hot tub, where you can soak your cares away under a canopy of stars. The outdoor area also features a BBQ grill and patio furniture, making it the perfect spot for alfresco dining and soaking up the serene ambiance.

Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a fun-filled family vacation, our enchanting lakeside haven offers the perfect blend of comfort, entertainment, and natural beauty. Book your unforgettable stay now, and let the magic of the lake whisk you away!

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If you’re not already using a program like ChatGPT to help with your marketing, what are you waiting for? Get started and enhance your listing description today!

Host2Host business affiliates and interested hosts gathered last week at the 3rd Annual Vendor Showcase to connect with one another, share information about their services, and learn more about how we can help each other be successful. 

Board Member, Anthony Rallo, kept the conversation flowing and gave each speaker plenty of time to talk about their offerings. We were excited to hear from several new business affiliates as well as some who have supported us from the very beginning. 

Speakers included:

• Kim Fitzpatrick, Host2Host Board Member with STRSource discussed her STR consulting and co-hosting business as well as her properties located in Oregon, Florida and even the lovely Lakeside Lodge in Montana, launching this month and generously donated as a raffle item. Kim can help you get started or uplevel your hosting game with design, setup, and guest services support. SPECIAL OFFER: FREE initial consultation to discuss your STR.

 

• Kristy Olsen represented Radious and let us know how flexible and easy it can be to offer your listing for daytime rentals. Save on laundry and maximize earnings. If you have an outdoor space, it can become the perfect summer retreat for small, local businesses. SPECIAL OFFER: FREE photography for the first 100 hosts - but hurry since they’ve only got a few more spots available for this fantastic offer!

 

• Aviva Llorens with PriceLabs helped us understand all the different ways that we can optimize our earnings by using the analytics pulled from their over 200,000 listings around the world. With daily price adjustments, you can create loads of different rules to help you effectively manage your listing and increase occupancy. Customer service agents are always available and they offer loads of helpful tools to support you as a host. SPECIAL OFFER:  Use code H2HPL15 when signing up for a new account to get 15% off your first 3 months of service (expires July 30).

 

• Carlos Camarena, Community and Education Committee member, offered his photography services to hosts and so many people expressed their thanks for his amazing photos. As Anthony pointed out, well-done photos are the key to a successful rental. It’s worth the investment you make, so take advantage of Carlos’s photography skills today! SPECIAL OFFER: H2H Members receive 10% off!

 

• Jessy Culp with Be Our Guest Property Management gave us a great overview of her variety of ala carte services. She can help hosts get started with a new listing, improve their existing offerings, or even just help out on a temporary basis while you go on vacation! SPECIAL OFFER: Referrals leading to a new client onboarding will receive $100! H2H members who sign up directly for co-hosting will receive no set-up fees or 50% off the first month's management fees.

 

• Darlene Kimball was a fantastic representative of iTrip and their boutique property management service offering. With a focus on asset retention and guest satisfaction, they take care of the little details so you don't have to. Their combination of the latest in hosting technology coupled with world-class guest service providers allows them to ensure repeat stays and happy guests. SPECIAL OFFER: H2H members that refer a new client receive no marketing fees, no credit card fees, and free linen service. This offer applies to both the member and their referral.

 

• Lastly, Charity Kuahiwinui spoke on behalf of A Serious Production with a quick overview of their website building and optimization services. From portfolio sites to the installation of Google Analytics or algorithm optimization, we can help you get rolling with a website of your very own! SPECIAL OFFER: H2H Members get 10% off your first project!

 

We launched a poll at the end of the meetup to learn more about how people feel about in-person activities. We found that 80% of those on the call would have attended if it were held in-person. Look for lots more in-person opportunities to connect in the near future.