Houfy hosts

Unlike other platforms, Houfy encourages its hosts to know who is staying in their property. You are free to require a copy of ID and signed rental agreement from guests if you wish. It's entirely up to you!

A common misconception new hosts have, is the major platforms "screen" their guests for them. You'll often read forum comments like this:

"Airbnb will remove guests if they refuse to leave at check out."

"Airbnb will break up a party for me."

"Airbnb's attorneys will defend me in court if I have to sue a guest."

Unfortunately, none of this is true. Hosts often feel duped once they realize they have no ID information to provide the police, and Airbnb won't share the info with the host.

The name on the confirmation might say Paul Jones or Kermit.

Or it could just be the letter "Z."

But were Paul, Kermit, or Z–ever even at the property? Who knows..

Maybe their friend Beatrice stayed instead.

Surely Airbnb will help! After all, they "verify" IDs...right?

If you've ever called Airbnb to ask for your guest's ID information, you were likely declined the information due to "privacy" reasons.

Do your own due diligence and follow these best practices when accepting reservations.

1. Have a clear visitor policy

Travelers will often book, assuming they can invite over as many friends as they want. Include a visitor policy like this one in your rental agreement. Have the guest sign and acknowledge the visitor policy, in addition to signing the rental agreement.

2. Communicate and ask questions

Ask questions if you need more details before accepting a reservation. Just message or call the traveler! Click on your Houfy messaging inbox to pull up the booking inquiry/request. Or make a quick phone call–especially if the booking is time sensitive and another traveler can book the dates.

3. Make clear house rules

Travelers must agree to your house rules when sending an inquiry. Discourage partiers and event holders by placing rules like "no gatherings" etc. near the top of the list. Travelers who plan to party will likely skip over your listing.

3. Get a signed rental agreement

Hosts aren't required to upload an agreement, but if you have one, travelers must agree to it when sending an inquiry. I recommend putting the agreement in the credit card holder's name. Feel free to use any wording from these sample rental agreements. Here is a quick 2 minute read of why you should have guests sign a rental agreement.

4. Ask for ID

It's a good idea to collect ID and note it in your house rules if it's required. It's up to you how you want to go about collecting ID. I recommending requesting ID of the credit card holder. Some hosts only ask for ID of the guest who books, while others require ID of all group members. Here is an excellent blog post about why you should be asking for guest Id after booking.

But what about guest reviews?

While guest reviews can be very helpful, it's best not to blindly rely on them. A guest traveling with grandparents may be a 5 star angel, but with his college buddies, turns into a 1 star devil. The majority of platforms don't let hosts write guest reviews. Even Vrbo only allows a star rating with no written text. There's no shortage of Airbnb hosts who relied on previous 5 star reviews, only to discover the guest trashed their home.

It depends how badly you want to encourage travelers to book direct on Houfy. Keep in mind, one of the major reasons travelers are drawn to direct book is to bypass the high rates and fees charged on the other platforms.

Many hosts keep rates the same across all platforms: Airbnb, Vrbo, and Houfy. They prefer their most attractive rates to be on Houfy. And since they have to pay Airbnb and Vrbo 3%, they consider the 3% to Stripe or Square the cost of doing business. Not to mention, they get paid sooner when a traveler books on Houfy.

Here are some reasons why hosts choose to have the most attractive rates on Houfy:

1. Airbnb can refund guests on day of arrival, even after holding the calendar for months. Some hosts consider this policy too risky.
2. They prefer guests recommend Houfy to friends and family versus their Airbnb listing. When travelers book on Airbnb, it gives Airbnb even more leverage than they already have.
3. Airbnb bookings tend to be time-consuming. Navigating the red tape and dealing with runarounds is something they want to avoid if possible.
4. Airbnb is not host-friendly when it comes to allowing hosts to get signed rental agreements or ID. On Houfy, they can easily do this.
5. Hosts with pet-free listings worry about guests bringing emotional support cats.

Many hosts refuse to open their prime calendar weeks on Airbnb. Instead, they only list their shoulder weeks or off season dates. And they increase rates by at least 10%, just to make up for the hassles of Airbnb policies.

Here is one way some hosts reduce credit card costs:

Allow a small reservation deposit by credit card. Require the balance by check. The traveler won't worry about losing dates, and your calendar won't be blocked while waiting for payment to be made.

Checks need time to clear so this works best for properties that book at least 45 days in advance. Here is how to set this up on Houfy:

1. Go to Manage Listings > Settings > Payment & Policies.
2. Describe your policy in the Payment Policy section and note when the check payment is due. If you allow the balance to be paid by credit card (if the guest pays the fees), note this as well.
3. Select your reservation deposit amount. This can be a fixed $ amount, or a percentage of the total booking, such as 15%.
4. Set the final payment due date.
5. Update your rental agreement to reflect any changes. Consider reiterating the check payment in the cancellation policy and house rules as well.

The more places noted, the less chance your policies will be overlooked. If the person just left Airbnb, your Houfy listing might only be skimmed. Note: Always check your state's laws before charging consumers credit card fees. Some states make it illegal.

If you do want to charge more on Houfy, I highly suggest not charging a separate percentage fee, but increase your rates instead. Remember, the host still pays the credit card fee even if it's a separate line item. It's just semantics to say the guest pays it. The only time the guest pays the fee is when they have a choice to choose a lesser rate.

You can charge extra fees on your Houfy listing: Menu > Manage Listings > Edit > Pricing > Rates and Fees.

This comparison of Square and Stripe will save you hours of research.

Square vs Stripe: Which should you use?

Many of you are wondering whether Stripe or Square is better for your Houfy business. I've compiled a summary of the differences I've learned about each. Connecting Stripe or Square to your listing allows travelers to book and pay like they would on...

https://www.houfy.com

Listing your property for FREE on Houfy! - an innovative marketplace that allows members to book and connect directly, without paying service fees.

Here a few reasons why you should join Houfy:

1. Houfy does not charge owners or guests commissions nor listing fees for basic listings
2. Guest payments are not withheld. Connect with Stripe or Square on Houfy to receive payment at time of booking
3. Travelers do not pay booking fees.  Send departing guests your Houfy listing so they don't have to pay service fees on their next stay
4. To gain independence & maintain total control of your property
5. To communicate directly with your prospective renters via phone, text or email so you can vet them before they book and make sure your rental is a good fit for them
6. Houfy provides you with a search engine the way things used to be—with full transparency. Houfy shows exact pricing when searched with dates
7. You will not be penalized in search results for not having flexible policies or instant book 
8. Guests abide by your set policies; Houfy does not override your cancellation policies
9. Create local guides that you and your guests can share on social media.  You don't even have to list a property on Houfy in order to use these FREE tools
10. Houfy is a great tool in addition to your own website; we offer calendar, quote, reviews and pricing widgets as well!
11. Use your Houfy listing as a website to link to your Google Business Listing or Facebook page & be found on Houfy for travelers who google your property to avoid paying service fees

Adding your listing into Houfy is extremely simple! You can do this by using our import tool or by manually adding your listing.

• Import your listing from AirBnB or VRBO - use the import tool to add your listing to our network in less than 10 seconds. This will import you entire listing except for the Calendar and Rates.
• Set pricing - this is necessary to activate your listing and please complete the rates, seasons, booking cut off date, etc. 
• Import your Calendar & sync with the other sites. You will only import your calendar this one time.  Moving forward Houfy automatically syncs the calendars every 6 HRS. You can also manually sync, by clicking on the sync icon. Airbnb Video VRBO video
• Sync reviews - if you imported reviews from your ABB listing, then you may need to sync reviews with VRBO, and vice versa.  You will need to periodically click on the sync icon in order to update the review sync.  This is not automatic. - Video Link
• Set up Payments: Houfy has Stripe and Square options integrated.  Sign up with those or set up your own method of accepting payment
• Verify your listing is completed

Otherwise manually upload your listing.

• Overview - Room Details - Location - Amenities - Suitability - Verifications
• Photos - Please view this article about moving your photos
• Pricing - Please be advised, we need a price to be activated on our marketplace. For more information: click here
• Reviews: You can import/export reviews
• Activities - Please select the activities which are available to your guests near your property
• Calendar - Please sync your calendar

Adding Profile details

• Verify phone number, email, and upload a profile pic

Why is all of this necessary?  Because Houfy isn't going to allow outdated listings, unverified profiles etc. You need to be prepared to accept a booking request.  Starting around April 1st, incomplete listings will be hidden from the marketplace.

Join our Facebook group:

Be part of the solution: Join our Facebook Member Group and get the latest insights and updates. Houfy uses powerful programs which can easily be changed to any of your wishes/suggestions.

And join our Houfy Vacation rentals group:

Houfy Vacation Rentals

This group is for Guest to find Vacation Rentals from HOUFY *** Book directly without any listing service fees. GUEST: Post your destination, number of Guest, and Dates Owners and Managers: post...

https://www.facebook.com

Wonderful Houfies are hosts on Houfy who actively participate in the growth of our platform and the bookdirect movement with perfectly updated listings and profiles.

What are the requirements?

Updated Listing(s):

• Completed Listing(s): Description/Location/Photo & Base Price
• Room Details/Sleeping arrangements filled in
• Added Amenities
• Added Suitability
• Double Verification (All listings on Houfy are being re-verified)
• Minimum of 5 Photos
• Pricing: Booking Cut Off date at least 1 year out
• Updated pricing for seasons/dates/weekends etc.
• 5 Quality Reviews (from Airbnb/Homeaway sites)
• Synced/Updated Calendar

Updated Profile: (Most new members had to verify e-mail/phone)

• Full first name & Last name (We hide last names on Houfy)
• Verified e-mail (You can hide this information at Settings)
• Verified phone (You can hide at Settings)
• Profile picture
• Where you are from
• Profile text about yourself

Please make sure all the above information is filled in and corrected before requesting the Wonderful Houfie badge for your profile!

To request:

Please join Say Yes to Houfy on Facebook and search for "Wonderful Houfie" - add your listing number or Houfy listing url and we will review your profile.

Alternatively: Please send us an e-mail with Subject Wonderful Houfie with your Houfy listing number/url to: info@houfy.com

To remain a "Wonderful Houfie" in the future you will need:

• At least 20 views on your listing per month (counted per new IP) starting June 1, 2020 (This to keep promoting the bookdirect movement)

What do you get out of this?

• "Wonderful Houfies" will be able to participate in Houfy contests and win fantastic prices. (Amazon Gift certificates and Houfy gear) - The first contest of 2020 is expected later in May or in June
• Listings of "Wonderful Houfies" will be ranked higher in search results
• Listings of "Wonderful Houfies" will be shown on our home pages and destination pages

Thanks T & S

• Your response time is the median time you took to respond to new messages in the last 3 messages.
  
• Your response rate is the percentage of new messages you responded of the last 3 messages.

You can improve your response time and response rate by replying to new customer messages on Houfy or from the email notification as soon as possible.

• Edit listing -> Contact person
• Click Add a co-host
• Enter the email address which your co-host used while creating an account on Houfy or will use to create an account on Houfy

• Your co-host will receive an email from Houfy to sign up or log in to become a co-host.

• Once they sign up or log in to Houfy, they see the link to accept co-host invitation on Houfy.

• Once you accept the invite, you become a co-host.

Co-host can see co-hosted listings at Right menu > Listings > Co-hosted listings.

Ask yourself this:

"What percentage of bookings will be generated solely by my own website in one year, two years, three years?" Only a handful of hosts can truthfully say 100% of bookings will come from their own website. The majority will continue to rely upon the OTAs (online travel agencies).

Airbnb will likely move hosts to a 15% commission model–and we all know Vrbo follows whatever Airbnb does. Booking.com charges a minimum of 15%; that doesn't even include the host's credit card fees.

TripAdvisor quietly adds up to 16% extra to the owner's nightly rates. Expect the major OTAs (online travel agencies) to eliminate traveler service fees altogether, with all of them charging a minimum of 18% (to include credit card processing).

Now, think about this...

IF your website only generates 50% of your bookings, which platform do you want to supplement the other 50%? One that wants a 15% cut of your revenue and overrides your own policies?

It's always been touted to never send a traveler to a 3rd party site, only to book your competition instead. But Houfy is different. It's not just a listing site–it's a movement.

Think long term. Start promoting your preferred booking channel in tandem with your own website brand.

Unlike the OTAs, Houfy isn't out to exploit owners. Instead, Houfy has given us the freedom to take back control of our properties. Align yourself with others who share a similar vision and goals.

Each new person (traveler or host) who joins Houfy, brings us all one step closer to breaking free of the OTA chains. Collective efforts always outperform individual ones. But in order for people to use and add their inventory to Houfy, they first need to know it exists.

Tell Both Hosts and Travelers About Houfy

Talking about Houfy shouldn't be reserved for just your hosting groups. In order for Houfy to succeed, it needs the inventory...right? 

The more inventory, the more travelers will shop on the site. And the more likely they will use the site again in the future.

With the recent industry explosion, almost everyone knows of a friend, family member, or co-worker who is also a host. You never know when a traveler inquiring through your own website is also a host themselves. Or maybe your incoming guest lists their property on another platform.

Many hosts advertise their availability in facebook book direct groups. Imagine if all of us posted something like this:

Book Great Retreat Cabin directly on our website or on Houfy's book direct market network. SAVE BIG and skip the excessive traveler fees from those other sites.

Other owners and travelers would repeatedly hear the name Houfy and eventually check out the site. This is the quickest way to help add inventory to Houfy, while simultaneously promoting your own brand. It's a win-win!

Start to view each traveler and guest as a potential opportunity for another property to be listed on Houfy. And who knows–that next traveler may be a realtor with 50 properties to add.

Houfy Members Are Not the Competition  

Begin to think of other Houfy members as your allies. The real competition is the OTAs–not each other.

A traveler has already found your website and was interested enough to send an inquiry. What are the chances your property perfectly meets the needs of their group? I don't know about you, but I don't always hear back from travelers after answering their questions. 

Maybe my place wasn't in their budget, they needed more bedrooms, or just preferred a location closer to downtown. 

By not providing travelers options, they'll likely find their way to one of the listing sites you don't want to be using in the future. Wouldn't you rather a Houfy member receive the booking, versus a host on Airbnb?

And even if your property is the perfect match, most people still shop around just to see what else is out there.

Don't be afraid to direct your website inquirers to shop around on Houfy in case your property doesn't meet their needs. Chances are they'll return to book your place anyway. Plus, they'll appreciate you shared helpful tips of how they can save money–even if they didn't choose your property this time.

Introduce Departing Guests to Houfy

Have you ever had a repeat guest contact you but the dates were already taken? I have. But often repeat guests don't reach out once they see the dates are not available. Or, maybe their group is larger this time, and they need an extra bedroom you can't provide anyway.

Travelers often book multiple vacation rentals throughout the year and use the same platform they booked through last time.

When thanking your departing guests for choosing your property, tell them they can save money by either booking directly on your website, or directly on Houfy. This conveys that Houfy is a marketplace to find other properties as well.

When they go to book their next vacation, hopefully they'll remember you mentioned Houfy doesn't charge traveler fees. I don't get many repeat guests, so my departing guests' "next" time may be a booking for your property on Houfy.

What Goes Around Comes Around

All of us will have our turn benefiting from another member who recommended Houfy. You may receive a booking because of me. And vice versa, I will one day receive a booking because of you.

But if I only promote my own website, and my neighbors only promote theirs, the only people hearing about Houfy are those in online forums and friend circles.

Promoting Houfy alongside your own website, in no way takes away from you building your own unique brand. There's room for both. And travelers will remember both brands!

But no one benefits (except the OTAs), when we keep Houfy a secret for fear a traveler might book our competition.

Easy Tips for Marketing Your Houfy Listing

Once you've completed your rates and syncronized calendars, it's time to get started on promoting Houfy! This is a simple step-by-step guide in basic marketing of your Houfy listing. First Things First : Before marketing, be sure you are actually ready to accept a booking.

https://www.houfy.com