AirBnB style home rentals

From lofts to luxury penthouses. From a castle in France, a bamboo hut in Indonesia to a floating house in Denmark. You can rent any of them through the Airbnb platform and stay there for a day, two or a month. An alternative to hotels and a way to get a little taste of local life!

In this respect, Airbnb is a true internet phenomenon. Founded in 2008 by three young men in California, today the site offers places to stay, given by private individuals, in over 191 countries around the world or through a total of over 3 million active offers.

The Airbnb craze has not passed Bulgaria by. And it's not just Bulgarians travelling abroad, but also those renting out their apartments online. There are over 1,000* homes registered on the site in Sofia alone. There are now also companies specialising solely in property management on AirBnb.

It is clear that the Bulgarian capital is not Rome, Paris or Vienna, but foreign tourist traffic passes through it as well. Attractive offers from low cost airlines and low prices by European standards in our country are proving to be a good motive for travellers looking for another new city to explore. A recent survey** even placed Sofia in the top 3 European cities with the highest growth of foreign tourists in the period 2009 - 2016.

Home for foreign tourists

photo : apartment Amazing view, close to the City Centre loft in Sofia

In Sofia, an apartment through Airbnb can be rented for an average of 70 leva per day. The rented properties are mostly one- and two-bedrooms and are mostly located in the city centre and more communicative points of the city.

If you own a one-bedroom apartment in Sofia, is it better to look for long-term landlords or foreign guests for short periods? It all depends on the occupancy of the apartment you are renting through Airbnb. There are a few basic things you need to know...

Booking is done online, payment is by debit or credit card. Airbnb deducts its own commission fees from the booking amount. For hosts it is 3%. Separately, hosts should think about the accommodation of their guests or at least the main point - the handover of the key to the home. And then for the cleaning of the property.

However, to be a preferred host, your commitments don't stop there!

How to be a really good host?

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Trust, a good experience and attitude are key to the success of an Airbnb host. And choosing which apartment to stay in is usually based on the reviews you've read about the property beforehand. The more positive reviews from previous guests, the more new renters! That's why hosts go to no small effort to earn all five of the five stars in reviews.

The Airbnb rental must be fully furnished and offer the comforts of a complete home. This includes extras like a fully equipped kitchen and a proper washing machine. As well as an iron, at least basic crockery, and why not a coffee maker.

Good Airbnb apartments are neat in terms of hygiene. And a sufficient number of

clean towels and sheets are simply a must. Disposable toothbrushes would be a useful bonus.

Often highly rated hosts also woo guests with various "bequeathed" gifts. Usually these are traditional products for the place, which only enhance the experience of tourists eager for new impressions. For example, staying in an Airbnb accommodation in Italy, you are likely to find a packet of spaghetti and tomato juice carefully left by the hosts in a kitchen cupboard. Or standard hospitality gifts like a bottle of wine in the fridge or biscuits for your morning coffee.

Before it all comes down to it, though, it's the photos of the property that catch the eye of anyone looking for their next new place on Airbnb. And here, the interior is the most important requirement!

Even if there are no written rules about it, Airbnb apartments seem to follow an unwritten code. They are bright and welcoming. Modern, but also traditional. Clean but full of character. And always - super functional.

• Bright and clean
  
  

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Experts would advise: go for neutral colours and clean style! The light background brings the feeling of cleanliness. And the ambience can be brightened up by a few colourful accents or even cushions. Lighting should not be underestimated, and a few strategically placed mirrors can play with the feeling of more spaciousness.

• Old and new
  

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Airbnb homes are usually rented by active, young people who embrace a more modern look. However, you don't necessarily have to furnish the place entirely with new furniture. Intertwine them with some vintage items and elements to make the atmosphere even more genuine, cozy and homey. For example - old wooden chairs, a slightly shabby desk or

an antique dressing table.

• Super functionality
  
  
  

Photo: apartment JAZZY off Vitosha Blvd Feel the Rhythm of Sofia

In most cases, the properties for rent are small in size, but they should offer the comforts of a well-equipped family apartment. Guests will stay here for two or three days or a week, but they will expect to get the feeling of living in someone's home for a short time. It should therefore offer maximum comfort and make the most of every nook and cranny. In this direction, Airbnb hosts often come up with ingenious solutions for zoning spaces.

• Add character
  
  
  

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Distinctive interior details are what will make an apartment shine among the hundreds of other offerings. It could be bold colour schemes (such as a sparkly painted front door) or multiple paintings on the walls. An Airbnb home doesn't have to show off your personal belongings, but it is important to show a personal touch. That's why decorations and items that carry the authentic spirit of the place will be what make your home stand out among the rest.

*1,853 active listings for apartments, private or shared rooms in Sofia on AirBnB as of October 2017, according to data from Air Data & Analytics.

**According to data from Mastercard's Global Most Visited Cities Index.