Opening doors on Airbnb to pay down home loan debt

THIS couple have paid for their dream wedding, holidays and even a second property just by opening their home to strangers (and charging them, natch).

Alana Dos Remedios and Oliver Dos Remedios, both 32, have used Airbnb to help pay off their mortgage and pay for their wedding and honeymoon. Picture by Chris Pavlich

ALANA and Oliver Dos Remedios have made thousands of dollars by sharing their home with other people.

The couple’s dream wedding, holidays and even buying a second property have been made possible thanks to years spent property sharing as both hosts and guests.

Website Airbnb allows users to rent out their own homes — or rent from someone else as a cheaper accommodation alternative.

The average host earns about $7100 per year.

Alana Dos Remedios says many of her friends were shocked when she and her husband first opened the doors of her one-bedroom inner city apartment to complete strangers and moved in with family.

But it wasn’t too long before the hesitant friends followed in her footsteps.

“The first question I always get asked is what do you do with all your stuff when people stay in your place,” Dos Remedios says. “We had a cupboard that we could lock up.’’

“The great thing about Airbnb is you can check who is coming and whether they have a bit of a profile and you can find out more about them.

“I never had anything ruined in the place, it’s always been left as they found it, quite often it’s a young professional couple who want something other than a hotel to stay in.”

Westpac home loan expert Melanie Evans says it’s common for Airbnb hosts to rent out their primary residence and use the funds to cull debt.

“Homeowners can take advantage of the fact they can list their home on Airbnb and help pay off their home loan sooner,’’ she says.