A GROWING number of Queenslanders are renting out their dream homes through Airbnb to help pay their mortgages.
New Brisbane research shows that 41 per cent of those who open up their houses on the peer-to-peer accommodation network say it is to help them afford the property dream.
Chantelle Subritzky moves out of her $720,000 cottage each week to accommodate strangers.
Thanks to Airbnb renters subsidising her mortgage, she has her sights set on becoming a property tycoon.
“My partner lives in Sydney and we are buying this Gold Coast property together,” she said. “Every week I prepare the house for new renters and I move into his Queensland place.
“It is a lot of work but it is a means to an end. I feel with Airbnb you have a lot of control about who turns up and so far it has been a positive experience.
“It is a beautiful property in Tallebudgera on a big block and one day I would like to turn it into a place where people can come and stay and bring their horses,” Ms Subritzky said.
University of Queensland Business School research professor Sara Dolnicar has just released her findings on the psychology of having people rent your home.
“Tourists can live with locals or in the houses of locals instead of staying in hotels,” she said. “Airbnb’s success points to high demand due to attractive prices. Every night of every year, half a million people stay in Airbnb accommodation.”
Ms Dolnicar said the research found that many hosts simply enjoyed meeting visitors and showing them their local attractions.
“They get to meet people from around the world without travelling,” she said.
The study found that just over 40 per cent of people opened up their homes to pay for their dream home, 46 per cent to raise extra cash, 31 per cent for the social interaction and 20 per cent for the love of it.
Why homeowners are letting strangers sleep in their homes
- 56 per cent say it’s because they have unused space
- 41 per cent say it’s to afford their dream home
- 46 per cent say it’s for the cash
- 31 per cent say it’s for the social interaction
- 20 per cent say it’s for the love of it
- 16 per cent say it’s to pay the bills
Source: University of Queensland Business School
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