When I started hosting two plus years ago there were 5 other homes hosting in the general area - 3 mile radius. As of yesterday, Jan. 8, when I really sat down to look, there are 111. So if you are not getting bookings, start taking a look at all the listings in your area. airbnb is now featuring the HIGHEST priced properties first, usually entire homes or apartments, then come the "suites" comprised of one or two bedrooms with a bathroom and kitchenette or small fridge, microwave, etc. LASTLY come the original HOSTS of airbnb - people who rent a room in their home, the home in which THEY ACTUALLY LIVE, in a neighborhood they actually KNOW. airbnb is simply saturating every market and the higher priced listings which bring airbnb higher fees come up first. airbnb "suggested" I lower my price from $45 per night with breakfast included to $24 with INSTANT BOOK, the worst idea possible. My home is on the New York and Federal Registers of Historic Homes, I worked years to get it there and I actually CARE who stays in my HOME. The original concept of airbnb, home sharing, has been tossed to the wayside. It does not help when absentee landlords, rental companies, apartment complexes are all loading up their properties on airbnb. I live in a university town where many young people doing research, doctoral studies, etc. come to stay. There are listings in the WORST, most crime ridden, gang riddled areas we call "murder city", flops people bought up, painted, chucked out the roaches and rats and charge $18 a night. To young men and women coming from abroad, money is tight and they are staying in these places. airbnb needs to start classifying properties - RENTAL HOME, RENTAL APARTMENT, RENTAL ROOM IN PRIVATE HOME, etc. When people are renting out entire UNFURNISHED homes on airbnb - a futon on the floor with a lamp and table with chair - it's time to find another way to go.
