The #1 Reason Your MA Airbnb Isn’t Getting Bookings (And How to Fix It)
The #1 Reason Your MA Airbnb Isn’t Getting Bookings (And How to Fix It)
If your vacation rental is sitting empty longer than it used to, you’re not alone. Massachusetts Airbnb and vacation rental properties are seeing a real shift. Fewer early bookings. More last-minute guests. Longer gaps on the calendar.
Tariffs and economic uncertainty are impacting the Airbnb and short-term rental market in MA, and if your pricing and reviews are not top tier, your property will underperform compared to years past.
Wilkuma is a leading Airbnb and Vacation Rental Management Company, and we have helped dozens of homeowners improve their rental performance in Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and other MA towns. We see the same core issue behind low bookings: your pricing strategy is outdated or not tuned into market conditions.
Here’s what’s happening—and how to fix it.
Why You’re Not Getting Bookings
The short-term rental market in 2025 looks a lot different than it did even two years ago. Here's what's changed:
Guests and renters Are Booking Later Than Ever (this has been a consistent trend in MA over the last 3 years)
Increased travel uncertainty, inflation, and shifting schedules mean travelers are waiting longer to commit. Where you might’ve seen summer bookings roll in by February, now they show up weeks (or days) before check-in. If your calendar looks empty, that doesn’t mean guests aren’t coming—they’re coming later. This is important because you want to make sure you do not drop to your price floor too soon or during the wrong season. Example: Keep your July and August prices high. You do not want to panic and lower prices for the high season!
The Economy Is uncertain, and that is impacting Guest Spending in MA
Looming recession, interest rates, layoffs, and general economic tension are in the headlines, and vacationers are not as eager to travel or book in MA. They’re watching prices more closely and only booking properties with great photos, guest reviews, and correctly priced.
Static Pricing Doesn’t Cut It
Too many owners still set one price and leave it there for months. But Airbnb’s algorithm favors active listings that change based on demand. If you’re not adjusting prices dynamically, you’re missing both visibility and revenue. If this is you, contact us, and we will help!
How to Fix It (and Get Booked Again)
Here’s what we do at Wilkuma to make sure our managed properties are consistently booked—even in a shifting market:
Industry-leading Dynamic Pricing Strategy, Every Day
At Wilkuma, we are experts in pricing your property to the local market, and we use powerful pricing tools that automatically adjust nightly rates based on local demand, events, holidays, competitor listings, and booking lead times. We only manage properties and Airbnbs in Massachusetts, so we know your property's local trends and market niche. We track when guests are booking, how far out they’re looking, local market vacancy rates, and competitor rates. That means our homes are always priced competitively—low enough to attract clicks, high enough to protect owner income.
Airbnb Listing Review & Optimization
We create seasonal and detailed listings that set clear expectations and highlight what makes each property unique. Then, we coach guests toward leaving positive reviews because better reviews = better search rank on Airbnb and VRBO.
Local Advantage on the North Shore & South Shore of Massachusetts Airbnb Manager
We know how to position homes in Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and nearby towns. Whether it’s adjusting rates for a Gloucester Schooner Festival weekend or prepping for fall foliage season in Essex County, our local knowledge turns browsers into bookings. The same goes for our South Shore Airbnb listings.
Don’t Let Your Property Sit Empty
If your Airbnb isn’t getting the bookings it used to, don’t panic—and don’t lower your price blindly. A smart, data-driven approach to pricing and marketing can make all the difference.
At Wilkuma, we help Airbnb property owners across Massachusetts earn more - without the stress of daily management. From real-time pricing to high-touch guest support, we handle it all so your property stays competitive, compliant, and booked.
📞 Let’s Talk
Feel free to reach out any time:
hello@wilkuma.com
781.691.0029
