Episode 60: Farmhouse Hosting, Pet Policies, and Pro Styling on a Budget with Lis

Welcome to Superhost Down Under! In this week's episode, Silvia and Ray tackle the great pet debate: to host or not to host furry friends? We are then joined by Lis, a former magazine decorating editor turned successful farmhouse Airbnb host. Lis shares her origin story of turning an investment property into a highly sought-after rural retreat, the power of professional photography, and her top cleaning hacks for managing large properties.

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Silvia and Ray discuss their differing views and personal experiences regarding pet-friendly short-term rentals:

• ​The City Apartment (Silvia): Does not allow pets due to space and building constraints. Silvia shares a cautionary tale from a fellow host involving a dog and a hallway wall.
• ​The Traveling Pet Owner (Ray): Traveling with a large Greyhound is tough. While Ray seeks pet-friendly spots on the road, his studio apartment isn't durable or large enough to host pets.
• ​The Farmhouse Approach (Lis): Welcomes pets with a sliding doggy door. She mitigates risks by checking for flea treatments, ensuring current vaccinations, and charging an extra cleaning fee.

From Magazine Editor to Host

Lis turned an investment property in Wairala into a thriving retreat known as the Big Sunny Farmhouse. After dealing with a nightmare long-term tenant, she pivoted to short-term rentals, outfitting the large space with spare furniture to attract families and working teams.

Styling & Photography Insights

Drawing from her career as a decorating editor, Lis emphasizes that styling for the camera is everything.

• ​Ditch the iPhone: Professional lighting and photography are non-negotiable for making your listing stand out.
• ​Budget-Friendly Upgrades: Paint old pine furniture white and incorporate cotton tablecloths with distinct accent colors.
• ​Unique Touches: To help rural guests find the driveway, Lis creates custom, arty letterboxes through Letterbox Art.

Pricing and Technology

• ​Manual Pricing: Lis found that dynamic pricing tools didn't work for her rural market. She prefers firm cancellation policies and manual pricing.
• ​Direct Websites: Instead of relying entirely on OTAs, Lis built a custom direct booking website to host local maps and provide added value to guests.

Cleaning a massive farmhouse is time-consuming. Here is how Lis streamlines the process:

• ​Ditch the Long Checklist: Lis created a hidden page on her website with photos showing cleaners exactly how to arrange towels and set up rooms.
• ​Furniture Sliders: Put sliders under heavy furniture so cleaners can easily push them back to vacuum underneath.
• ​Robo-Vac: Invest in a robot vacuum to clean under beds while human cleaners tackle other tasks.
• ​Color-Coded Linens: Keep three sets of sheets on hand, color-coded by bed size.
• ​BBQ Fees: Leave a polite note with cleaning tips for the BBQ, including a warning that a small fee applies if left excessively dirty.

Connect with Lis:

• ​Direct Booking Website: Big Sunny Farmhouse
• ​Airbnb Listing: Lis's Farmhouse Retreat
• ​Custom Letterboxes: Letterbox Art
• ​Instagram: @bigsunnyfarmhouse

Other Resources:

• ​Ray's Direct Booking Sites: raymondyee.com.au & lanestay.com.au
• ​Silvia's Airbnb⁠