In the flourishing world of short-term rentals, platforms like HomeToGo have become beacons of opportunity for property owners. They may not be the biggest of the most advertised platforms, but they have a number of features and benefits that some of their larger counterparts don’t offer. Whether you’re a seasoned host or new to the game, HomeToGo can be the gateway to a global audience seeking a unique selection of vacation accommodation experiences. Here’s everything you need to know to thrive as a HomeToGo host.
What is HomeToGo?
Founded in 2014 in Berlin, Germany, HomeToGo is a vacation rental search engine and aggregator that helps travelers find the ideal vacation rental property by searching across multiple platforms, including Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, and more. Essentially, it’s a one-stop shop for travelers to discover and book short-term rental properties.
They have been successful as an OTA thanks to their user-friendly search functionality and extensive property listings. One of the platform’s key features is its comparison capability which lets travelers view properties side by side and make more informed decisions. Additionally, it offers multilingual and multi-currency support, traveler reviews, and is fully mobile-friendly.
Who are HomeToGo users?
HomeToGo caters to a wide range of users, though it’s primarily for short-term accommodation seekers looking for lodgings for a vacation or short business trip. People who use HomeToGo vary in age, budget, and preferences, from spending-conscious backpackers looking for affordable accommodation to families exploring spacious vacation homes and luxury-seeking individuals in the hunt for high-end rentals.
HomeToGo’s user demographic extends to vacation planners, holidaymakers, business travelers, and even property investors looking to explore the world of short-term rentals. Its versatility as a search aggregator is what makes it so appealing to everyone from novice travelers to seasoned explorers.
- Over 70% of HomeToGo users are over 35, which means they have high purchasing power.
- On average, HomeToGo guests book over 90 days in advance.
- HomeToGo users’ average length of stay is 7 days.
How do you become a HomeToGo host?
To become a HomeToGo host and list your vacation rental property on this platform, you’ll need to make sure you’re in line with their requirements. This includes ensuring your property is in good condition and ready to welcome guests by cleaning, organizing, and decorating the space to make it appealing and comfortable.
Next, you’ll need to complete their sign-up process. Make sure to provide all of the essential information about yourself and your property, such as its location, size, amenities, and pricing details.
Home to go has a couple of strict requirements when it comes to their hosts, including:
- You’ll need to keep your property information, availability, and pricing up to date.
- They expect all of their listings to be responsible hosts, addressing guests’ needs, providing clear instructions for check-in and check-out, and offering assistance during their stay if necessary.
- They ask that all hosts stay updated on HomeToGo’s host policies and guidelines.
Listing on HomeToGo
Once registered, you can create a detailed listing for your property. They’ll request that you include high-quality photos that showcase your space, write a compelling description, and highlight any unique features or amenities. You can then set your pricing and property’s availability, and sync with booking platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Consistency is key here, and HomeToGo is clear in their expectations that, as a host, you’ll need to ensure your prices and availability are consistent from Home to Go to any other platforms.
Respond to guest inquiries
As a HomeToGo lister, you’ll be expected to promptly respond to inquiries and booking requests from potential guests. Timely communication can help secure bookings and provide a positive guest experience. Of course, you can use Guesty’s CRM to make it easier on you and your team (see our guide below on how to do it).
Verify guest reviews
Another part of being a good host, whether on HomeToGo or any other platform, is encouraging guests to leave reviews after their stay. Positive reviews can boost your property’s appeal and ranking on HomeToGo and other booking platforms.
Make sure to list your house rules
The house rules section gives guests a visible and clear understanding of what you do and don’t allow. Be sure to list whether your property allows pets, whether it’s smoke-free, and if it’s child-friendly.
The nitty-gritty of listing on HomeToGo
Here are some of the unique factors you should know about HomeToGo:
- HomeToGo offers account support via phone, email, and chat and has excellent customer support. In fact, HomeToGo was awarded first place in the vacation rentals category by Newsweek and Statista for its excellent guest relations.
- They’ll cover guest communications until check-in – and for anything from that point on, you can use Guesty to streamline messages between you and your travelers.
Why choose HomeToGo?
- Global reach: HomeToGo is known for its wide reach, which means your property will be exposed to a large audience, increasing the likelihood of bookings.
- Diverse audience: From families to solo travelers, you have increased the chances of finding renters who are a good match for your property.
- User-friendly: HomeToGo is easy to use both for property owners and travelers. The HomeToGo app makes it even easier
- Flexible listing options: You have the flexibility to set your own rules, prices, and availability, giving you control over how your property is rented out.
- Customer support: HomeToGo’s amazing customer support for both property owners and guests means you’ll have assistance on demand for any issues or questions.
How to use GuestyCRM to streamline guest communication
While HomeToGo offers you great communication support with guests up until they check-in, there’s a lot more you’ll need to take responsibility for. From helping guests with the wifi password to handling their queries once they’re on your property, lean on GuestyCRM to save you time and make communication clearer.