How to Become an Airbnb Property Manager in 2026: Step-by-Step for Total Beginners

How to Start an Airbnb Property Management Business (Even With Zero Experience)

If you’ve been hosting on Airbnb for a while, you’ve probably felt the spark that feeling of, “I could totally do this for other people.” And you’re right. Becoming an Airbnb property manager is one of the lowest-risk, highest-reward business models in the entire short-term rental world.

But here’s the truth: it’s not just about handing over keys and answering messages. Successful Airbnb management requires systems, structure, and a clear Airbnb strategy, and most new hosts have no idea where to start.

At BNB Guardians, we’ve helped beginners turn their hosting experience into a real income stream using simple, scalable systems. If you’re dreaming of becoming a property manager (or co-host), this guide will show you the exact steps to get started confidently.

What Does an Airbnb Property Manager Actually Do?

Think of property management as running a hospitality business for someone else.

Your responsibilities typically include:

• Handling Airbnb guest communication

• Overseeing check-ins, check-outs, and turnovers

• Scheduling and managing cleaning and maintenance

• Managing Airbnb listing creation and optimization

• Setting Airbnb pricing and adjusting strategy as demand changes

• Distributing listings across multiple platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking, etc.)

It’s rewarding, but it requires intention and solid systems, which is why Airbnb coaching accelerates your success dramatically.

Step 1: Find Your First Co-Hosting Opportunities

Before becoming a property manager, you need your first clients. Here are simple ways to find them:

Tap into your network. Many successful co-hosts land their first doors through friends, coworkers, or local real estate connections.

Join local groups. Facebook groups, community boards, and real estate meetups are filled with homeowners who need Airbnb help.

Talk to your own hosts. If you travel often, ask the hosts you stay with many are overwhelmed and ready for support.

Inside our Airbnb Super Host Academy, we teach proven scripts and outreach templates that help beginners land their first property fast.

Step 2: Show Owners Why They Should Hire You

Homeowners want one thing: a manager who will protect their asset and maximize income.

This is where your Airbnb optimization skills matter. Your pitch should highlight:

• Your understanding of Airbnb SEO

• Your experience with Airbnb guest communication

• Your ability to increase occupancy with smart Airbnb pricing

• Your track record (or your mentors’ track record if you’re new)

If you’re starting without hosting experience, that’s okay, but you’ll need to invest time in learning STR systems. Many beginners start by taking Airbnb coaching to shorten the learning curve and build credibility fast.

Step 3: Build a Simple, Clear Business Plan

A professional property manager needs structure. Your plan should include:

Cleaning & maintenance workflows

— Will you hire cleaners? Use software? Build a checklist? (We teach automated systems for this inside BNB Guardians.)

Check-in strategy

— Will you use smart locks and self-check-in? (Say yes. Every time.)

Listing visibility & marketing

— How will you handle Airbnb listing creation, Airbnb SEO, and multi-channel distribution?

Your fee structure

— Most property managers charge 15%–35% depending on services.

A clear plan makes you look confident — even if you’re brand new.

Step 4: Automate Everything You Can

If you want to scale past 1–2 properties, automation is everything. You cannot grow without it.

Modern Airbnb management requires tools that handle:

• Automated guest messaging

• Smart pricing and revenue management

• Calendar syncing across multiple channels

• Cleaner notifications and turnover scheduling

• Smart lock automation

This is the exact workflow we teach our coaching students so they can scale quickly without burning out.

Do You Need a License to Manage Airbnbs?

In most states, no. But some areas require a real estate license to manage short-term rentals. Requirements vary, so always check your local regulations.

Still, many managers operate legally without a license, especially if they are offering co-hosting rather than long-term property management.

How Much Do Airbnb Property Managers Make?

The income potential is high. Most managers earn:

• 15%–35% commission per booking

• Plus cleaning coordination fees

• Plus add-on services depending on the market

Full-time managers often make $4k–$15k/month, depending on how many listings they oversee.

With a smart Airbnb strategy, even beginners can grow quickly.

Ready to Become an Airbnb Property Manager? Start Here.

If you want a business that gives you flexibility, financial freedom, and the ability to scale without owning property, Airbnb property management is one of the most powerful paths.

But you need the right systems, the right strategy, and the right guidance.

👉 Need help with Airbnb?

Join our Airbnb community or book a call with us at BNB Guardians. We’ll help you build a profitable, and scalable STR business.