To Self Manage or No?

Hey Rob Mob!

Let’s talk about the age-old Airbnb conundrum: Should you manage your property yourself, or let someone else take the reins? If you’re torn between being the captain of your own rental or delegating, you’re not alone. Now, my bread and butter is teaching you self-management (it’s rewarding, and who doesn’t like saving on fees?), but there’s definitely a place for co-hosting.

So, if you’re on the fence, let’s break down the pros and cons of each route—and maybe throw in a few things to consider if you’re weighing the option of partnering with a management team (like mine).

Option 1: Self-Management (aka “You’re the Boss”)

When you self-manage, you’re the CEO, COO, and Head of Guest Relations for your Airbnb. You’ll get all the glory when things go well—and all the 2 a.m. wake-up calls when things go... not-so-well.

Pros:

• You Keep All the Cash: No manager’s fee means every dollar earned goes straight into your pocket. Sounds nice, right?
• Full Control: You decide how everything runs, from the check-in process to the little mint on the pillow (if that’s your vibe).
• Learning Experience: Every booking, every review, every quirky request adds to your knowledge. Pretty soon, you’ll be that wise Airbnb host people ask for tips.

Cons:

• Time Vampire: Managing bookings, guest communications, turnovers... it adds up. Be ready for those “is it worth it?” moments when you’re re-explaining the check-in instructions that you just explained in your previous message. It’s all part of the host experience…and a reminder that maybe, just maybe, a little co-hosting help could be worth it!
• Complexity Overload: Pricing, taxes, insurance...suddenly it feels like you need a degree in Airbnb Science.
• Stress Central: Every plumbing emergency, last-minute cancellation, or “Where’s the Wi-Fi password?” is on you. It can turn into a full-time job—minus the weekends off.

Option 2: Hiring a Co-Host or Property Manager (aka “Let’s Make This Passive, Shall We?”)

If you’re ready to let someone else deal with the nitty-gritty, you can hire a pro to handle the heavy lifting. Just know that most co-hosts charge 20-30% of your gross revenue—a chunk of change, yes, but in return, you get your time and sanity back.

Pros:

• Freedom O’Clock: Someone else gets the 2 a.m. guest messages. You? You get sleep.
• Expertise on Autopilot: Pros know the ins and outs of pricing, listing optimization, and guest management, which can translate to more bookings (and fewer headaches).
• Definitely Stress-Reducing: You don’t have to worry about last-minute cleaning snafus or overbookings. That’s all on them.

Cons:

• The Price Tag: Yes, co-hosts charge for their services. And yes, it’s typically 20-30% of your revenue. Not pocket change.
• A Bit Less Control: You’re entrusting someone else to represent your property—which can be scary knowing that you’ll always be the person who cares the most about your property.
• Dependency Factor: A good co-host is like gold, but if they’re not great…that 20-30% might feel like a bit much.

What It All Boils Down To

Ask yourself: Do you enjoy the hands-on aspects of hosting, or are you ready to relax and let someone else take over? Self-management is fantastic for control and cost-saving, but hiring a manager is for those who are just over it and want to make their “passive income” actually, well…passive.

Speaking of Passive Income...

If you’re ready to take the plunge into the passive side of things, I’d love to help you out. That’s why I started Cocasa—to use my years of Airbnb management expertise to make sure short-term rentals actually deliver that elusive “hands-off” income. Head over to Cocasa.co, and let’s see how we can help turn your Airbnb into a stress-free income stream.

- Rob

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