Some of the links mentioned are affiliate links. if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Commissions come at no additional cost to you.
Dear hosts, it’s that time of the year…. the leaves are falling, there’s a chill in the air and we’re about to say thanks in the United States. We’re prepping for one of our biggest holidays and, most importantly, for the sales. Because the best times to update and stock-up on your Airbnb essentials are on Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2019.
Before I start the episode, I want to say thank you. Yes—to you, my dear hosts. I know you take time to listen while cleaning, driving or at the gym; and I want you to know that I appreciate you.
I hope you get value from everything I provide with this podcast, the Facebook Group. the products I create like the 5-Star House Manual and The Language of Welcome. I think of you all the time and I’m always thinking, “Ohh, I think my dear hosts will like this!” I don’t take you for granted, I value your time and you.
So thank you.
Now for what you really want to hear about… Time to go shopping!
Make a Plan:
It’s so easy to get swept away by the amazing sales this Black Friday and Cyber Monday and the “Ohh I want this, I want that.” It’s easy to get swept away by the shiny objects. It's easy to just say, “Look–a Rumba! I WANT it!!!” instead of asking, “Do I really need that Rumba?” Let’s remember Episode 52 Numbers that Matter: Is that Welcome Basket Really Worth It?
So hosts, make a shopping plan ahead of time.
I’m providing a couple of free lists:
- What do I Need?
- The Ultimate Room-to-Room Checklist
- Essentials for Your Airbnb
Some of the links mentioned are affiliate links. if you choose to make a purchase, I may earn a commission. Commissions come at no additional cost to you.
What do I Need? Checklist
Go room by room—for example: in your bathroom do you need
- New shower curtains?
- Liners?
- Do you have a plunger?
Yes, you’re gonna need one sooner than you think…
I was just in London and there was no plunger. And it was needed and that’s all I’m going to say about that. Whether it’s on sale or not, put that plunger at the top of your list.
The Esentials for Your Airbnb
One of the lists I’m giving you is the essentials you’ll need for starting out an Airbnb right. It’s a Google spreadsheet that you can download as a pdf with live links to the products I use. Yes, they’re affiliate links and I’ll get a commission if you use them. Thanks and you’re welcome.
But these are also products I use at my own Airbnb. After 9 years as a host, I have preferences I’ve developed from experience…from the sheets at Target to the cleaning products that work best.
You know I’m always talking about Target Threshold Performance sheets because I love those double corners that keep the sheets from riding up. Ohh…and they also have these tabs that say “side up” or “side down.” Look, when you’re making the bed, all you have to do is look at the tab and you know which way is what. Genius! It saves you minutes, people—minutes.
I still have Threshold sheet sets I purchased years ago, the quality is that good. Trust me. Just get them on sale, and those sales are about to happen.
The Bedroom:
- Do you need to upgrade your mattress?
- Is your matress protected?
- In your bedroom do you have enough of those sheets? (You need at least three.)
- What about a full-length mirror? Your guests need one.
- Is there anything that you want to upgrade, like new window treatments or blackout curtains? You know some guests don’t want to be awakened when the sun comes up.
Here are some great options for mattresses:
- Zinus Memory Foam 12 Inch Green Tea Mattress, Full
- HOFISH Medium Firm Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress – Ideal Support & Great Motion Isolation
- Nod by Tuft & Needle Full Mattress
You need to protect your mattress, even if it’s not on sale.
- Utopia Bedding Waterproof Zippered Mattress Encasement
-
Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement – Waterproof Mattress Protector
Podcast Episode all about Bed Bugs: Episode 12: How to Get Rid Of Bed Bugs: A Complete Guide For Your Airbnb
Kitchen:
- In your kitchen, how are the pots and pans?
- Do they need to be replaced?
- What about the plates? Is anything chipped?
- Are they mismatched? (Unless that’s your Airbnb’s eclectic style.)
- Do you have a tea kettle? (If my friend Heather stays there, she’s gonna need one.)
Here are some great options for your kitchen needs:
- Cook N Home NC-00250 12-Piece Stainless Steel Cookware Set, Silver
- AmazonBasics 8-Piece Non-Stick Kitchen Cookware Set, Pots and Pans
-
Stemless 12-Piece Wine Glass Party Set for Red and White Wines
Living Room:
Are you getting a new television?
Do you want a sofa bed means more heads in beds, but do you really want that?
Some great options for TVs:
Technology:
Do you want to upgrade technology?
Are you making your home a smart home?
The smart items that I updated this year for my house were:
Smartlock: Schlage Encode Smart WiFi Deadbolt
Thermostat: Ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat
Video Camera: Ring First Generation. Well, I’ve had it for a long time.
Podcast Episode about smartlock: Episode 79: The Ins and Outs of Using a Smart lock for Your Airbnb
Pro Tip:
Place the item in your online cart before the sales, so you’re ready.
Sales:
Are happening at:
Target, of course.They have Ring 2 on Sale for $130 Threshold Bath towels for $5. And of course, those lovely Threshold Performance sheets.
Remember, if you have a Target credit card you get an extra 5% off. Hey, it’s all about saving.
Here is a link to Target’s promotions so you can get a jump on their sales.
Like always, Amazon is having some big sales—especially for Cyber Monday. You can already take a peek at some of the sales on their website.
Your Accounting:
Like always, don’t forget to keep your purchases for your Airbnb listing separate from your personal items. Why? Because purchases for your business can be written off as a tax deduction. Better yet, if you can, use a separate credit card just use for those purchases and you won’t have to worry at the end of the year.
Ohh, and sign up for my newsletter and see what kind of surprise I’m going to give to my subscribers this Cyber Monday. But you’ve got to be in it to get it…
Shopping is one of the constants for us as Airbnb hosts, but let’s do it when we can save some money. Let’s take advantage of those Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
Your non-shopper,
Evelyn
