Airbnb has become the leading site for homeowners - and sometimes tenants - to earn extra income by renting out their properties. But it's not your only option: depending on the type of property you have and the sort of setup you prefer, you may want to list your rental on another site instead of (or in addition to) Airbnb.
Here are six Airbnb alternatives (with listings in Atlanta) you should know about:
FlipKey is owned by TripAdvisor, the popular site that's primarily used for hotel bookings. If you're listing your property on FlipKey, it will also be listed on TripAdvisor's site, which gives you access to millions of potential renters.
The site lists all types of properties in the U.S. and abroad, from private rooms to more unusual accommodations such as houseboats. Property owners don't pay a fee to list but instead pay 3% of their guests' payments.
Tip: TripAdvisor's Rentals Resource Center, which has tips on everything from making your listing stand out to turning inquiries into bookings.
Credit: Courtesy of HomeAway.com
Credit: Courtesy of HomeAway.com
HomeAway accepts listings only for entire properties, so if you only want to rent a room, you'll have to look elsewhere. Listings can include studio apartments, townhomes and even boats.
The site has two pricing options for owners – an annual subscription which allows unlimited bookings, and a free listing option where you pay a commission fee per booking. An annual subscription costs $499, while the commission fee starts at 8%.
Tip: HomeAway says you'll generally save money with the annual subscription if your property is rented more than six weeks a year.
Booking.com is primarily known for hotel bookings, but has branched out into apartments, homes and other properties. The site says listing your property can take as little as 15 minutes.
Unlike many other Airbnb alternatives – as well as Airbnb itself – Booking.com doesn't charge a guest service fee, which it says makes it more attractive to renters. Property owners pay a 15% fee of the price paid by the renter.
Tip: Although other types of properties are offered, the greatest percentage of Airbnb-style listings on Booking.com are for apartments, so take care to make your listing stand out.
Innclusive has branded itself as a non-discriminatory site, and almost all of their listings can be booked and instantly approved. Names and photos aren't divulged until after the booking, so there's no opportunity for discrimination, and, as a host, you'll need to be welcoming to all types of people.
The site lists entire homes or apartments, private rooms and shared rooms and charges a percentage of the price that you charge guests.
Tip: Invite friends to travel or host with Innclusive and you'll get a $20 credit when they travel and $80 when they host.
With HomeExchange, you won't be making money directly by renting out your home. Instead, you'll be swapping homes for a fixed period of time with a host in a destination you'd like to visit. Over 65,000 properties are listed in more than 150 countries You pay a flat fee of $150 for 12 months and are able to exchange homes as many times as you like.
Tip: If you don't exchange homes in your first year, you can get a second year free if you contact the site before your renewal date.
With HomeStay, you'll rent out a room in your home while you're staying there. For some owners, this may sound awkward, but if you're the type who likes to meet new people and show or tell them about what there is to see and do in Atlanta, HomeStay may be what you're looking for.
You can offer a complimentary light breakfast if you'd like, and you're even free to offer additional meals for an extra charge.
Tip: Outline rules and preferences in your listing, such as whether smoking is allowed, and indicate whether you're a busy host who will leave guests to explore on their own or one who will gladly show them around the city.
About the Author
