Alex Chen
Airbnb Hosting Expert & Real Estate Investor
Alex Chen is a data-driven Real Estate Investor and Airbnb Superhost with a proven track record of optimizing short-term rental performance. With over 7 years of hands-on experience and a portfolio of 12+ high-performing properties, Alex specializes in advanced pricing algorithms, tax efficiency strategies, and automated guest experience systems. His insights are grounded in real-world application, helping hosts achieve sustainable revenue growth.
Areas of Expertise
Articles by Alex Chen
39 Articles
Best Places to Airbnb in London: 2026 Neighborhood Guide
Comprehensive guide to the best London neighborhoods for Airbnb in 2026. Analysis of Shoreditch, Kensington, and Camden based on ROI, occupancy regulations, and risk.
Airbnb Host FAQ: Answers to Your Top 50 Burning Questions (2026)
The ultimate Airbnb FAQ hub. We answer the most common questions about pricing, safety, cleaning, taxes, and difficult guests, updated for 2026 policies.
Airbnb Instant Book: Pros, Cons & Should You Enable It? (2026 Guide)
Should you enable Instant Book on Airbnb? I break down the real pros and cons based on managing 12 properties, including the 15-20% booking increase and the risks you need to know.
Airbnb Self Check-In Guide: 7 Steps to a Seamless Guest Experience
Learn how to set up a foolproof self check-in system for your Airbnb. From smart locks to backup codes, I share my exact process that eliminated 95% of check-in issues.
PriceLabs vs Beyond Pricing: Which Dynamic Pricing Tool Wins in 2026?
I tested both PriceLabs and Beyond Pricing on the same properties for 6 months. Here's my honest comparison of pricing accuracy, features, and ROI.
The 25 Best Airbnb Tools for Hosts in 2026
I tested 50+ tools so you don't have to. Here is my curated list of the best Airbnb pricing tools, channel managers, and guest experience software for 2025.
How to Become an Airbnb Superhost in 2026 (+23% More Bookings)
I share my exact strategy for becoming and maintaining Airbnb Superhost status. Learn the 4 requirements, common pitfalls, and how Superhost increased my bookings by 23% and rates by 12%.
Airbnb Photography Guide 2026
I share my complete Airbnb photography guide based on $15,000 in additional revenue from professional photos. Learn camera settings, lighting, staging, and editing techniques that get bookings.
Airbnb Cancellation Policy Guide 2026
I break down all 6 Airbnb cancellation policies with real data from my portfolio. Learn which policy protects your income while staying competitive, plus my property-by-property strategy.
Airbnb Pricing Strategy 2026: How I Made $18,000 Extra with Dynamic Pricing
I share my complete Airbnb pricing strategy based on a $18,000 experiment. Learn static vs dynamic pricing, day-of-week adjustments, and how to maximize revenue with real data from my portfolio.
Airbnb Host Tax Guide 2026: What You Need to Know (US)
I break down how Airbnb income is taxed in the US, what expenses you can deduct, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Learn about self-employment tax, depreciation, and quarterly estimated taxes.
Airbnb vs Booking.com 2026
I compare Airbnb vs Booking.com based on 18 months of real data from my portfolio. Learn which platform performs better in your market, plus my multi-platform strategy.
How to Respond to Bad Airbnb Reviews 2026
I share my exact playbook for responding to bad Airbnb reviews, with real examples and templates. Learn how to turn negative reviews into trust-building opportunities.
How to Write an Airbnb Listing Description That Converts ...
I share the exact framework I used to rewrite my listing description and increase bookings by 87%. Learn the 5-part structure that converts browsers into bookers.
Airbnb Cleaning Fee Guide 2026
The definitive 2025 guide to Airbnb cleaning fees. I break down the true cost of turnover, compare pricing strategies, and share my exact templates for managing cleaners and disputes.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Rental Analysis (2026): Which is More Profitable?
I compare short-term vs long-term rentals with real numbers from my 12-property portfolio. Learn which strategy generates more income, requires less time, and fits your market.
Automated Airbnb Messages: My Time-Saving Guide for Hosts...
The 7-step automated message sequence that saves me 10 hours a week. Includes copy-paste templates for check-in, crisis management, and review generation.
My Perfect Airbnb Welcome Message (Copy-Paste Examples)
The complete guide to the 'First 5 Minutes' of a guest stay. Includes copy-paste templates, digital guidebook reviews, and the 'Welcome Basket' strategy.
Airbnb Host Service Fee Explained (2026)
Stop losing bookings to 'hidden fees.' I explain the difference between Split-Fee and Host-Only models, and show you the math to switch without losing profit.
Best Mattresses for Airbnb Guests 2026: My Unfiltered Guide
The 2025 guide to the best mattresses for Airbnb hosts. I rank the top 5 brands, explain the 'King Bed' ROI, and share my 3-layer protection system.
Airbnb Host Insurance 2026
My no-BS guide to Airbnb host insurance in 2025. Learn the 3-layer system you need to stay covered, what 'loss of income' really means, and how to win claims.
Best Coffee Makers for Airbnb 2026
Don't let bad coffee ruin a 5-star review. I review the best coffee makers for Airbnb, from Keurig to Nespresso, and show you how to set up the perfect coffee station.
How to Get Direct Bookings for Airbnb 2026
Stop paying high commissions. Learn how to build your own direct booking website, market your brand, and safely process payments off-platform.
The Perfect Airbnb Checkout Instructions (Free Template
My proven, battle-tested Airbnb checkout instructions template. Reduce confusion, protect your property, and help your cleaners with this free, customizable guide.
The Ultimate Airbnb Host Checklist: 50+ Must-Have Items for Success
My personal checklist of 50+ essential items every Airbnb host needs for 5-star reviews. Learn from my mistakes and see my real-world budget.
A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Remove a Listing from 2026
My complete guide on how to remove an Airbnb listing. Learn the critical difference between snoozing, deactivating, and deleting to avoid my $15,000 mistake.
10 Proven Ways to Get More Airbnb Bookings (+40% Revenue Increase)
My 10 proven strategies to increase your Airbnb bookings by 40% or more. Learn the data-driven tactics for photos, pricing, and SEO that I used to build my business.
The Ultimate Guide to Airbnb Accounting Software (2026)
Stop running Airbnb finances in spreadsheets. I compare Stessa, QuickBooks, and Wave so you can capture every deduction and stay audit-ready.
Hostaway vs Airbnb for Hosts: Why You Need Both (2026)
The definitive comparison: Why you need both Airbnb (the marketplace) and Hostaway (the operations engine). Includes a migration guide and ROI analysis.
PriceLabs Review 2026: Can It Really Maximize Your Income?
My unfiltered review of PriceLabs after 3 years. I share my exact configuration settings, ROI data (+3,525%), and why I chose it over Beyond Pricing.
VRBO vs Airbnb
What is an Airbnb Channel Manager and Do You Need One?
The beginner's guide to Channel Managers. I explain the difference between iCal and API sync, review the top 3 tools (Hospitable vs Hostaway vs Guesty), and help you decide if you need one.
The 7 Best Pricing Tools for Airbnb Hosts in 2026
Discover the 7 best pricing tools for Airbnb hosts in 2025. Compare PriceLabs, Beyond Pricing, Wheelhouse, and more to find the perfect solution for your rental property.
TurnoverBnB (Turno) Review: Automating Airbnb Cleaners
Struggling to manage cleaning schedules? We review TurnoverBnB (Turno) to see if it really simplifies cleaner coordination and payments.
Maximizing Airbnb Tax Deductions in 2026: A Host's Guide
Don't leave money on the table. Discover the top 10 overlooked tax deductions for Airbnb hosts, from home office use to streaming subscriptions.
Minut Noise Monitor Review: Is It Worth It for Hosts?
Prevent parties before they happen. Our in-depth review of the Minut Gen 3 noise monitor, focusing on privacy, detection accuracy, and host peace of mind.
The Only Airbnb Expense Tracking Spreadsheet You Need (2026 Edition)
Download our free, customizable spreadsheet to track income, expenses, and profit margins. Compatible with Excel and Google Sheets.
The 5 Best Smart Locks for Airbnb Hosts in 2026 (Tested & Reviewed)
Say goodbye to key exchanges. We tested the top smart locks from Yale, Schlage, and August to find the most reliable options for remote hosting.
How to Calculate Airbnb ROI: The Ultimate Guide for 2026
Stop guessing your profits. Learn how to calculate Return on Investment (ROI) and Cap Rate for short-term rentals with our free formula and examples.