How do I write a good listing?

A well-written listing attracts more enquiries and helps guests decide quickly whether your home is the right fit. Guests are comparing multiple listings — a clear, detailed, and welcoming description helps yours stand out.

Describe your home honestly

Include practical details guests care about most:

• The suburb and proximity to universities, train stations, or the city
• Whether the guest room is private or shared, and whether the bathroom is private or shared
• What meals are included — typically breakfast and dinner
• Laundry access, Wi-Fi, heating and cooling
• Whether you have pets or allow smoking
• Any house rules guests should know upfront

Write a warm introduction

Tell guests a little about yourself and your household. Guests are choosing somewhere to live, not just a room. Mention your family situation, languages spoken, interests, and what kind of guest you are best suited to hosting.

Add photos

Listings with photos receive far more enquiries than those without. Include at least one clear photo of the guest bedroom. Additional photos of the living areas, kitchen, and outdoor space are helpful. Use natural light and tidy the room before photographing. See How do I add, edit or delete photos?

Add nearby places

Use the Nearby Places feature on your Dashboard to list nearby universities, train stations, shopping centres, and other points of interest with approximate travel times. This is one of the most useful things you can add for an international student who does not yet know Boston. See How do I add nearby places to my listing?

Keep your listing current

Update your availability dates whenever they change. An outdated listing wastes everyone's time and may be automatically deactivated.