By Moisés Abreu
Short-term rentals are becoming increasingly popular among
real estate investors, thanks to the high demand for this type of
accommodation from tourists, business travelers, and locals who choose to use this type of lodging
for work or leisure. They opt for this rental method because of certain benefits
it offers, such as better prices compared to hotels, a variety of accommodations, and
greater time flexibility.
However, when you're the host of a short-term rental property, you'll likely have countless
questions, such as, "What can I do to streamline the entire process from guest arrival
to departure?"
Let's start with check-in, or arrival at the property. This is a crucial step, as it marks
the beginning of both the guest's and the host's experience. There are many ways to make this
arrival memorable, and I'll give you some examples of how to automate the check-in process.
- Install a smart lock that allows guests to access the
property upon arrival and throughout their stay using a unique code.
This prevents lost keys and avoids unpleasant experiences due to delays for both
guests and hosts. - Install a smart doorbell that is synchronized with the smart lock and can be
remotely controlled via an application to grant access to the client with just the push of a button. - Welcoming and giving instructions to guests through smart intercoms that allow you
to save personalized messages and thus receive them in a warmer way without being present,
for example: "Hello Pedro, thank you for coming to Casa Bonita. Enjoy!"
Once inside the home, there are many more challenges to overcome, such as energy conservation and
guest comfort.
Let's talk about one of the biggest headaches for hosts: the electricity consumption of
air conditioners and other electronic devices. It's no secret that
guests don't monitor their energy usage during their stay as they do
in their own homes. This problem can be solved today thanks to home automation and its
many technological solutions.
Through sensors and actuators, the host can remotely turn air conditioning units on and off, control the temperature,
humidity, and usage time. If the guest leaves the house, the host can
check all the information from the installed devices on their phone or tablet and take timely action
, resulting in energy savings.
There are many solutions to optimize every aspect of the home, from lighting and speakers to
security, entertainment, and cleaning, among others. If you're considering a new property for
short-term rentals, these are just some of the things home automation can do to save you time
and money.
Where would you start to automate your Airbnb?
The author is
Moises Abreu
Interior design
Technology lover
CEO Maraka Design Studio
Broker Owner Homfol real estate
Contact: 809 729 5211
