New host - a couple of questions!

[Kris60]

I have listed a spare bedrm and spare bathroom for my condo, hoping to get a reservation or two while its busy here with Spring Training. I am getting on board a little late but didnt really know what AirBnb was until this past year.  I work FT, pretty busy, have house rules in place, and dont plan on being home alot. It says on my ad I am happy to answer questions but will not be doing a ton of interaction with guests. I assume I will be giving them a spare key and getting it back when they leave? How do you feel about strangers being in your home while youre not there? With as cheap as AirBnB is, I dont feel I should be entertaining and cooking for guests, I am not sure what a majority of hosts that rent out rooms do. Im just looking to provide a quiet, clean place for guests to stay. And Ive already had my first inquiry and attempted reservation-her English was not good and she said she was booking for her BF and his friend.I declined,,sounds like a scam already. Sigh. I dont think its appropriate to book for someone else and she was brand new and had no ratings. What else should I be leary of?? Thanks 

[Alice-and-Jeff0]

@Kris60 - Welcome to Airbnb.  You are asking alot of good, and common, questions.  You are right, the woman booking for someone else is not allowed on Airbnb.  You can read more about Third Party reservations in the Help Center. Yes, you will need to give access to your property for your guest during their stay.  It can be a key, security code, or otherwise.  There are a lot of threads in the Community Forums about safety that will provide information.  Airbnb doesn't have to be "cheap".  You get to set your price.  Or you can turn on Smart Pricing to let Airbnb help you set daily prices. If you haven't done so already, as a new host, I'd recommend: 

1. Complete the tutorials here: https://www.airbnb-toolkits.com/my_toolkits

2. Read all the big topics here: https://www.airbnb.com/help

Home | Airbnb Help Center www.airbnb.com How does Airbnb handle security deposits? How do I cancel my reservation? I Still Need Help

3. Join the Community Forums and read as much as you can, specifically regarding bookings, cancellations, and getting paid: https://community.airbnb.com/t5/New-Hosts/What-tips-would-you-give-to-a-new-host/m-p/215615/highligh...

 4. Bookmark this: https://community.airbnb.com/t5/Community-Help/Contact-Airbnb-A-Community-Help-Guide/m-p/16165#M2339...

 5. Then take a mental inventory of your own personality and determine if you actually can handle people in your space, touching and ruining your things without being sorry (because it will happen) and how you will resolve conflict as it arises in your dealings with guests. It's different dealing with "guest-pectations" and people on vacation than it is with friends staying with you. Being an "on site" host means that guests will come to your door occassionally when they are in need of something.  You get to decide how much of yourself you'd like to give to your guests - it's what makes hosting so invigorating.  Check out other properties of people listing just a room rental (like mine - hover over my face, click the view profile option, the go to my profile, click through to my listing).  Lots of hosts share their space with their guests in this way and provide a variety of amenities and services.  

As for your listing - take more pictures with natural light.  Yours come across pretty dark.  Take out of your profile description that you are new.  This is a red flag to both guests and to potential scammers who will target you for not realizing the ins and outs of how Airbnb works.  Rethink about extra person fees - if you have two beds, you will have twice the linen as only one guest who sleeps in only one bed.  These are just my suggestions.  

Good luck to you! 

[Kirstie]

Great advice @Alice-and-Jeff0! Thanks 🙂