I’m an Airbnb Superhost who’s had over 400 guests. Here are 5 things I wish visitors knew before checking in.

Booking an Airbnb can feel like going on a first date … but with a house. You might wonder, will it look like the photos? Did it overexaggerate its features? Will it satisfy your needs?

As a host, I feel similarly, though my perspective is more of a protective parent: Will you take care of my baby and return her on time?

When you send me a message to introduce yourself and explain why you’re visiting, I get a glimpse of your personality and feel more at ease about welcoming you.

Plus, learning more about you, your guests, and the purpose of your trip helps me to provide you with better recommendations. (More on that next.)

I spend a lot of time curating local recommendations

I’ve explored every corner of Bolton Landing (for Trout Landing) and Saratoga Springs (for Gallant Fox), visiting local restaurants, trails, shops, and more.

And as fun as it’s been, I did it because I want to give guests my personal recommendations. Anyone can Google, but as a host, I want to suggest places, tips, and tricks that a quick search won’t uncover.

When I know who’s staying at my Airbnb, I’m better able to curate my recommendations.

My rentals are a point of pride that I’ve spent months perfecting and testing

Think about your last Google search: How often do you venture past the first page of results?

Just as first impressions matter on search engines, they’re equally crucial on Airbnb, where listings with higher review scores rank higher in the algorithm.

Although four stars may seem commendable elsewhere — even the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “of a superior degree of excellence”— it doesn’t cut it on Airbnb.

The success of my business hinges on achieving five-star reviews.