Investment

You can do this yourself. But first...

Is there an Ikea nearby?

Do you have any Grey Paint? (You're going to need lots of it)

Does the place have beautiful old wood floors? You're going to have to cover them up with LVP (Lousy Vinyl-like Phlooring) and while it's not necessarily expensive, it's going to give your new listing that sought-after look of thoughtlessness. Don't let anyone try and talk you out of LVP. Go Get Some.

Do you have extensive experience dealing with total strangers 24/7? You said you had a roommate that bullied another roommate and drove her off. You can't let bullies push you around any more if you're going to be a host. You're going to have to find yourself a set of cast-iron britches, and put them on. Don't go for cheap Chinese leggings. Get yourself a sturdy set of heavy-duty cast-iron britches and gird your loins for battle. Do NOT let guests bully you or other guests. If you let them pull that stuff off, the next thing you know you'll be looking for space at a homeless shelter, because your guests ripped your leggings to shreds when they kicked you out the door.

Also... How good are you at scrubbing toilets and pressing sheets? Those are skill-sets that you're going to need.

Do you have a washer and dryer? Do they work? Do you know how to use them?

What about your kitchen? Is it filled with everything a guest could possibly need to prepare a Christmas Dinner or a Festivus Feast? If your bully roommate took half the stuff in the kitchen claiming it was hers, you'd best head off to Macys or the Mikasa outlet store (While you're at it, you'd better visit the LeCruset store next door and stock up on new, good quality cookware) Zwilling and Henkles make some important cutlery that even the most basic of listings would be incomplete without.

You're going to need photos too. Do you have a cell-phone with a really good camera? Well... Please.... for the love of god... don't use it. Hire someone to take professional photographs, and make sure he uses a fish-eye lens. If he doesn't have a fish-eye lens, he's not a real photographer, so don't let him in. Just send him on his way, and find someone else.

There are many other things to consider, but I've given you a partial list of some of the most important things to consider before embarking on the AirBnB Gravy-Train to Fame, Fortune, permanent bliss.

/r/AirBnBHosts Thread