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10 Avoidable Mistakes I Made as a New Airbnb Host (and What They Taught Me)
I’ll be honest — my Airbnb journey as a host started with high hopes and a whole lot of naivety. Well, that’s where the first shock hit me — hosting on Airbnb is a lot harder than it looks.
Although, like many, my journey on this wonderful platform began on the other side — as a guest. I’ve always been an avid traveler, drawn to the charm and comfort of unique stays over impersonal hotels. But it was during a quiet retreat in the hills, sitting by a window with a view that felt like a painting, when something clicked. This cozy little rental, with handwritten notes from the host and towels that felt like clouds, sparked a realization. I, Vinita, thought, “I can totally do this!” How hard could it be, right?
That one thought set the wheels in motion. Hosting seemed like a fun side project — welcoming guests, sharing my space, and earning a bit of extra income. But, oh, how quickly things shifted! My dreamy Airbnb vision soon collided with the reality of being a host, and the learning curve was steeper than I had ever imagined.
What followed was a series of unexpected lessons, some that shocked me, others that taught me more than I ever thought possible. In the beginning, I wasn’t just clueless — I was clueless and overconfident. What I thought would be a fun side…
