
Alex Chen
Airbnb Hosting Expert & Real Estate Investor
Alex Chen is a seasoned real estate investor and Airbnb Superhost with over 7 years of experience in the short-term rental market. Managing a portfolio of 12+ properties across California and Texas, Alex specializes in pricing strategies, tax optimization, and property automation. He has helped thousands of hosts maximize their revenue through his guides and consulting. When not analyzing market data, Alex enjoys traveling and testing new smart home tech for rentals.
Areas of Expertise
Articles by Alex Chen
28 Articles
The 25 Best Airbnb Tools for Hosts in 2025
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 2025
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 2025
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 2025
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 2025
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 2025: 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 2025
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 2025
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 2025
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 (2025): 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 (2025)
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 2025: 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 2025
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 2025
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 2025
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
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 for a new listing.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Remove a Listing from 2025
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.

How to Get More Bookings on Airbnb 2025
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 (2025)

Hostaway vs Airbnb for Hosts: Why You Need Both (2025)
The definitive comparison: Why you need both Airbnb (the marketplace) and Hostaway (the operations engine). Includes a migration guide and ROI analysis.

PriceLabs Review 2025: 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 2025
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.