In the run-up to the Republican National Convention (July 15-18), one group excited about the surge of travelers to Milwaukee is short-term rental hosts. But if you’re thinking about renting out your home or apartment on Airbnb or Vrbo for eye-popping sums, there are considerations you may not be taking into account.
Airbnb Superhost Jake Dehne, who operates 17 listings and has hosted on Airbnb since 2017 – including for the much-scaled-down Democratic National Convention in 2020 – is amping up for the RNC. “Everything is so far seeming like it’s another version of that,” he says of the attention Milwaukee listings are attracting on the site.
But one thing is different: there are more local Airbnbs on the site than in 2020. “The market has gotten extremely flooded,” he says, which means hosts have no choice but to offer spic-and-span rentals with high-quality photos and be available for questions before and during the booking. But even with the increase in Airbnb hosts, “they’re already going to be at the bottom of that list,” says Dehne, as it takes time to reach Superhost level.
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“A lot of people think, ‘I just collect the money and give them the keys,’” says Dehne. Turns out that’s not the case at all. There is actual work involved in being an Airbnb host—particularly during such a high-profile event that’s attracting VIPs to the destination.
Here are a few tips from Dehne if you’re considering jumping into the short-term rental game for the convention:
Choose the right platform
“A CEO is going to use a program outside of Airbnb. They’re booking for a week through Vrbo, whereas Airbnb tends to be short-term. News media are 14-day rentals. Families want the kitchen; no family wants to sit in a hotel room for seven days. [Short-term rentals] booked [for the DNC)]outside of the security zone were CEOs who wanted to be with their families.”
Renters expect hotel service
“If someone’s paying thousands of dollars a night, you better be a concierge. This isn’t Summerfest people coming to see a concert. You’re dealing with people with super-high standards. You have to have the fastest internet ever because if they miss phone calls or emails, they are going to scream bloody murder. You can’t just go on vacation while someone is at your place. The air conditioner has to work. The toilet has to be unclogged.”
Price accordingly
Factor cleaning fees and insurance coverage into your rate. “It took us years to figure out how not to have bad guests who throw parties and break stuff. The pricing will help with that.”
Stranger-proof your home
“People are super nosy. It’s a small group that ruins it for everyone. Be ready to lock stuff and have wear and tear on your personal stuff. Do you need to move everything out?”
Research the competition
“See what’s around you and what the pricing is. It’s all about uniqueness and what you have to offer. Everyone has a two-bedroom apartment and a four-bedroom house. How are you going to catch their eye? It’s a lot harder than loading up pictures.”
This story is part of Milwaukee Magazine’s February issue.
Find it on newsstands or buy a copy at milwaukeemag.com/shop.
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