Tiny Homes on Airbnb: Unleashing the Potential of Small Space Rentals
Do you dream of earning a passive income by hosting interesting people from all over the world?
If so, you may be interested in putting a tiny house on your property and renting it out on Airbnb. A tiny house allows you to create a cozy rental unit, giving your guests privacy while being much less of a commitment than a full-sized house.
At Lancaster Log Cabins, we create beautiful park model cabins, which can be used as adorable tiny home Airbnbs where guests love to stay!
We’d love to share our knowledge with you and help you earn passive income with a tiny house Airbnb.
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What Is an Airbnb?
Airbnb is a website and app that allows individuals to rent out their properties or spare rooms to guests on a short-term basis.
Whether you own a vacation rental, a tiny home, or even a spare bedroom, you can rent it out for extra income. Guests can stay for one night, several days, or even longer if you’re open to that.
Tiny homes, in particular, make popular Airbnbs because of their affordability and charm.
Four Secrets to a Successful Airbnb
If you want your tiny home Airbnb to succeed, you’ll need to plan ahead and do plenty of research! Here are four things to keep in mind:
1 - Conduct market research
What type of people are renting Airbnbs in your area? What are they looking for? How much are they willing to spend?
To answer these questions, you need to conduct market research.
First, pay attention to the Airbnb listings in your area. What are people drawn to? What types of listings get booked quickly? What are the prices for units like yours?
Look at the reviews guests leave on other Airbnbs in your area, and use that feedback to inform your decisions.
Then, talk to as many people as are willing to give you advice! That includes other Airbnb owners or anyone who can provide insight into who is coming to your town and why.
2 - Work through the logistics
You may have lovely visions of wonderful people flocking to your Airbnb while the money pours in. But before you get to that point, there are a lot of logistics to work through.
Here are the main things to figure out before you can start renting your Airbnb:
- Permission: Airbnbs are heavily regulated in some areas, so research local laws to ensure you can legally rent out your space! If you want to put your tiny home Airbnb on a rented property, you’ll need your landlord’s permission, and if you’re part of a homeowner’s association or co-op, you’ll need to make sure they allow Airbnbs.
- Business license: In some areas, running a short-term rental may require a business license.
- Taxes: Talk to your accountant to ensure your Airbnb business complies with local tax laws. In some areas, your Airbnb may incur a specific extra tax, such as a transient occupancy tax.
- Insurance: Talk to your insurance provider to make sure you’re adequately covered for a short-term rental.
3 - Create a business plan
Once you’ve thoroughly researched the local market and laws, requirements, taxes, and insurance, it’s time to make a business plan.
Your business plan should be a comprehensive document that serves as a roadmap as you go on this venture. Use it to outline your goals and make financial projections.
For a more detailed explanation of creating a business plan for your Airbnb, read this related article: How to Write an Airbnb Business Plan.
A few tips:
- Carefully calculate what it will cost you to clean the Airbnb, and add a fee accordingly.
- Use local rates to inform what you charge.
- Consider charging a smaller amount until your business gets underway and you start collecting good reviews.
4 - Be creative and hospitable
Finally, remember that people don’t just want a place to sleep; they want an experience! Use your creativity to create a unique, hospitable home-away-from-home for your guests.
Here are some tips:
- Good communication. There’s nothing worse than having a problem with your Airbnb and being unable to get ahold of anyone who can help. That’s why it’s essential to prioritize good communication and make your guests feel heard and taken care of.
- Keep everything in working order. Perform regular inspections so your guests never have to experience a full-on plumbing or electrical disaster!
- Stay in your own Airbnb for a weekend. Are the beds comfortable? Are there enough towels and dishes? One way to assess potential issues in your Airbnb is to stay there yourself!
- Prioritize safety and security. It’s vital that your guests feel safe. In addition to smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, leave detailed instructions on what to do in an emergency, and install robust door chains.
- Put some heart into the decor. Remember that you are creating an experience that includes a beautifully designed space. If you want to save time or don’t have much design skills, consider hiring an interior designer.
Advantages Of Using Tiny Homes as Airbnbs
Tiny houses have exploded in popularity over the past ten years as people are increasingly drawn to minimalism and simple living.
But while it’s fun to dream about living in a tiny space, with a wee little stove and a cozy loft bed, most of us don’t want to give up our comfortably large houses.
That’s where tiny house Airbnbs come in. Staying in a tiny house short term allows people to experience the charm of small-space living without the inconvenience of a long term commitment.
Here are some reasons tiny homes make great Airbnbs:
- A tiny home is more affordable than buying a second home to rent out.
- A tiny home allows guests to have the entire unit to themselves, giving them space and privacy.
- Tiny houses are trendy and charming.
- A tiny home can be placed on your property, making it easier to maintain.
- With the right equipment, tiny homes are moveable. You can place it in one spot, and if it doesn’t work out or you purchase a more scenic piece of land, you can move it.
- Tiny homes are so small you can get creative with them, and it won’t break the bank.
How to style your tiny home Airbnb
Get creative with your tiny home! Staying in your Airbnb should be a unique experience your guests won’t get anywhere else.
You may already have a vision for your tiny house Airbnb, but if not, here are three style ideas!
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The Artsy Escape
People love to stay in unique pieces of art. One way to achieve this with your tiny Airbnb is to build it yourself in an unusual shape or use reclaimed items.
Even if you’re using a prefabricated tiny home, you can turn it into an artistic space by painting it in unique colors, and filling it with eclectic furniture and quirky decor.
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The Cozy Cottage
Small spaces are enticing because they are cozy. Here are some ways to lean into the cozy cottage aesthetic.
- Paint the walls white, or leave them as bare wood
- Add lots of throw pillows and cozy throws
- Use an old-fashioned fabric for curtains and pillow covers, such as a rose print or gingham
- Fill the kitchen with vintage cookware
- Look for cozy textures such as wicker, crocheted items, or eyelet lace.
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The Rustic Log Cabin
If you have a piece of land in the woods or next to a pond or stream, lean into the rustic aesthetic with a log cabin look!
With strategically placed windows that let in light, fresh air, and great views, and a large porch as a place to eat and hang out even when it rains, the rustic log cabin helps people feel connected with nature.
Remember: If you buy a prefabricated log cabin, make sure it’s made from real logs!
How Lancaster Log Cabins Can Help
If you’ve set your heart on a tiny house Airbnb, you may feel discouraged by the daunting task of building one and disappointed by the flimsy options on the market.
That’s where we come in!
At Lancaster Log Cabins, we create high-quality park model cabins made with real logs and fully set up to be used as tiny homes. Each cabin comes with:
- A bathroom with a toilet, vanity, and shower
- At least one bedroom
- Beds for at least four people
- A kitchen area with a sink, refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave
- An optional futon
- A table and stools
- At least one heating and cooling unit
Many models also include an optional porch and an optional loft.
Our cabins are made with the highest quality materials and are entirely turnkey. They come off the lot with a charming rustic log cabin look, but if you have a different vision, all you need is some paint and accessories to turn them into the unique Airbnb of your dreams!
Are you interested in knowing more?
Feel free to contact us today or visit our showroom in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to see the cabins for yourself!
We look forward to hearing from you.