4 hosting mistakes that make you lose money
...and how to fix them without lifting a finger
Managing your rental property yourself can seem like a smart way to save money. No management fees, full control, and a hands-on approach—what could go wrong?
While managing things yourself may seem cost-effective at first, it often ends up costing you more—in lost income, wasted time, and guest dissatisfaction.
In this article, we highlight the 4 most common mistakes private hosts make and explain how a more strategic, professional approach can turn things around.
Mistake #1
Leaving money on the table
Bad pricing management
Let’s be honest—pricing is tricky.
You might start off by setting rates based on the season and weekends, maybe even a few big holidays like Semana Santa. Then… you forget about it and hope for bookings.
This “set-it-and-forget-it” approach is incredibly common, but it leads to missed opportunities. It doesn’t account for:
- Local events and market demand
- Last-minute booking trends
- Mid-week vs. weekend variations
- Orphan dates
- Real-time competitor pricing
- Seasonal aggressiveness adjustments
- Occupancy-based adjustments
- Frequency of price updates
- Google Analytics trends
Even well-located properties underperform without smart pricing algorithms/tools. This is where dynamic pricing tools and active revenue monitoring make all the difference.
For example, at REMS, we use a proprietary algorithm that adjusts rates daily based on real-time market data—while our Revenue Manager manually oversees and fine-tunes those rates weekly. This hybrid method outperforms most automated systems and helps maximize your earnings.
Since 2021, properties using this model have averaged:
- +64% more income
- +30% higher occupancy
Missed booking opportunities
Less bookings mean less revenue: many owners (and even some agencies) set minimum stay rules—2, 3, or even 7 nights—to reduce their workload. But this often creates gaps between bookings that go unfilled.
Instead, your calendar should be optimized on a daily basis. With a coordinated operations team—cleaners, maintenance, guest service—you can welcome 1-night stays that plug calendar holes and boost income. Even 2-3 extra nights per month can significantly boost your bottom line.
REMS applies this strategy and has consistently achieved an average occupancy rate of 91.5% over the past 4 years—well above the market norm (71% according to AirDNA data).
Mistake #2
Underestimating the power of good design
It’s tempting to furnish a rental with whatever’s available—basic IKEA setups, minimal decoration, or leftover furniture. But here’s the truth:
Cheap design leads to cheap bookings.
QUICK TAKE: You’re not an interior designer, are you?
In high-competition markets like Málaga and Costa del Sol, with over 40,000 listings, properties that don’t stand out visually are forced to compete on price. That translates to lower nightly rates, reduced occupancy, and shrinking profits, especially in the off-season.
A high-quality, professionally designed space doesn’t just look better—it rents faster, books at higher rates, and performs better in the off-season.
We’ve observed a revenue boost of +40–60% after properties undergo professional design upgrades.
Mistake #3
Poor online presence and visual marketing
Marketing may sound simple, but it takes time, tools, and expertise. Let’s be honest:
You’re likely not a photographer, copywriter, or polyglot—and you probably don’t have a property management system (PMS) pushing your listing to dozens of platforms worldwide.
Common mistakes we see:
- Listings in only one language, published only on Airbnb or Booking.com
- Photos taken with a phone—often dark, vertical, or poorly staged
- Incomplete or bland property descriptions
- No brand identity or guest trust built over time
This significantly limits your exposure—and your revenue.
Guests are willing to pay more for a professional, trustworthy experience. Your online presence is the first impression. Make it count.
At a minimum, your listing should include:
- Descriptions in at least 3 languages
- Visibility on 10+ rental platforms
- Professional home staging
- High-quality photography
At REMS, we have an in-house photographer, designer, and property marketer for every listing. We’ve also built strong brand trust:
- Airbnb Superhost for 4+ years (12,000+ reviews, 4.77 avg.)
- Booking.com rating: 9.1/10
- Google Reviews: 700+ reviews, 4.8 avg.
- Direct booking engine with increasing reservations.
Mistake #4
Ignoring reviews and reputation
Let’s be honest: Are you really paying attention to your reviews? Are you replying to negative ones? Making improvements based on feedback?
If you’re a SuperHost—great job, you’re already on the right track. According to Airbnb, SuperHosts earn 22% more than average hosts with similar listings.
If not, this is a missed opportunity.
In one of our recent guest surveys, 30% said reviews were the deciding factor in booking. Your reputation matters—and not just for bookings. It affects the price you can charge, your visibility on platforms, and your future success.
Managing reputation includes:
- Replying to reviews (especially negative ones)
- Learning from guest feedback
- Improving your operations based on what guests say
- Being consistent with cleanliness, communication, and quality
And it’s not just about replying, it’s about delivering consistently great guest experiences.
REMS is ranked Number 1 in quality in Spain among the 100 largest property managers on Airbnb, according to guests' reviews.
Ready to earn more and stress less?
Managing your rental yourself can work—but only if you’re ready to take on pricing, design, marketing, and reputation management like a pro.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to do it all yourself. Stop juggling bookings, pricing, maintenance, guest questions, and late-night emergencies. There’s a better way to manage your rental—and it starts with the right support.
Want a no-obligation property performance forecast? Fill in the form below and discover your property’s true earning potential.