Your local team is your secret weapon. They’re the unsung heroes keeping your operation running smoothly. At the very least, you’ll need:
- Two Cleaners One primary, one backup. Because life happens, and guests don’t wait
- One Handyman: for those “surprise” repairs
- One Runner: Your go-to for quick fixes and emergencies—Wi-Fi resets, replacing batteries, or grabbing mail.
But here’s the million-dollar question: How do you find people you can actually rely on?
Here’s the playbook for assembling your dream team without spending a dime:
1. Tap into Referrals
Referrals are gold. Why? Because people don’t recommend someone unless they’ve had a great experience.
Start with your local network:
- Ask your realtor. Realtors are ridiculously well-connected and often have a list of go-to people for every situation. The person who sold you your property might just know the perfect cleaner or handyman.
- Lean on your local circle. Whether it’s friends, family, or neighbors, someone knows someone.
2. Make Friends With Other Real Estate Pros
Here’s the move:
- Join local Airbnb host meetups, property management groups, or real estate groups. These folks have already done the legwork and are usually open to sharing contacts for their star team members.
- Build relationships first. No one wants to hand over their A-team to a stranger. A little rapport goes a long way.
3. Dive into Online Communities
Facebook is where local recommendations thrive. Most cities have niche groups that can save you hours of Googling:
- City-specific Airbnb/VRBO groups. Hosts swap tips and share resources regularly.
- Cleaner-focused groups. Many cleaners have dedicated Facebook groups where they promote their services.
- Mom groups. Moms don’t play around when it comes to recommendations. If they vouch for someone, you know they’re legit.
Pro Tip: Search for Facebook groups with names like:
- “[City Name] Airbnb Hosts”
- “[City Name] Short Term Rental Cleaners”
- “[City Name] Moms Group”
4. Post on Local Platforms
When all else fails, take it to the streets (digitally):
- Facebook Marketplace. A quick job post can attract a lot of local talent.
- Craigslist. It’s old-school, but it works.
- Nextdoor. Hyper-local and perfect for finding people in your neighborhood.
Write a clear and compelling post with the details of what you’re looking for, and you’ll be surprised by the quality of responses.
Bottom line:
Building a reliable team doesn’t have to cost you a penny. Start local, tap into communities, and leverage referrals. With the right approach, you’ll have a dream team that keeps your Airbnb running like a well-oiled machine.
