Selling Your Airbnb Management Business? Do These Things First

Thinking about selling your Airbnb or short-term rental management business?

Before you list it, there are steps that could dramatically increase the sale price – and mistakes that could cost you thousands.

In this episode, we're joined by Simon Tolson – a twice-exited property management business owner and active industry consultant – who shares exactly what he did to maximise the value of his businesses when it came time to sell.

What you'll learn:

- Why starting an owner newsletter is one of the best things you can do before a sale

- How increasing your direct bookings ratio boosts your business valuation

- A simple accounting change that can improve your numbers on paper

- How to approach the right buyer privately — and why this matters

- What due diligence actually looks like from a seller's perspective

- Why transparency on day one protects you throughout the process

- How to handle fees and commissions on existing bookings post-sale

Whether you're planning to exit in 12 months or just want to build a more valuable business right now, this episode is essential listening.

📬 Contact Simon: simon@tolson.co.uk

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 Episode starts

0:51 Start an owner newsletter

2:57 Increase the value of direct bookings

4:21 Bonus tip: accounting change for commission recognition

6:01 Making a private approach to the right buyer

7:31 Due diligence when selling a business

9:03 Get all your dirty washing out on day one

11:37 Fees and commissions on existing bookings

15:52 Simon's exits and consultancy business

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