Airbnb (new to it) - do you always have to pay the whole sum hen booking?

[CatAndHisKit]

I need to stay somewhere between after my house sale and am looking for a month plus, which I need to book at least 3 weeks before completion to be on the safe side. I thought you could reserve with a deposit of say one week's stay, or have an option to pay gradually as you go 9obvs with a two weeks notice if I wanted to extend). I can't lay out over 1.5K all at once before selling when I will have cash. If I ilke the place and wat to stay 2 months, it's also a problem as someone may book just for a weekend and breal availability.
Tried to describe my situation to one owner but he didn't react with any options.

Is it worth trying to negotiate with others, and what's the best way if so? I've read on here that some advertise on other sites - which sites are more flexible? I couldn't see any details where I could look it up directly either. TIA

*when booking (title)!

Are you able to stay on a holiday park instead? I believe they will negotiate on longer stays.

Thanks, Mydog. Do they have their own sites? I;ve never stayed in parks, I assumed they always rural, and I need public transport.

well, not really rural but well out of town.

The best bet is to try and contact the owner directly so you are not tied into Airbnb rules. Find the owners name and the name of the property and Google it

I can only see owner's first name, no property name as such. Or do you mean I should ask full name/location and they will know why I'm asking? Ebay is quite strict regarding direct comtactt so doesn't allow such messages, thought it was similar.

@CatAndHisKit

Thanks, Mydog. Do they have their own sites? I;ve never stayed in parks, I assumed they always rural, and I need public transport.

Many have very good transport links nearby. They welcome low season longer stays.

If you are by yourself would Spare Rooms be an option?

I#ll have a look - is there a 'best website' for these or is it best to google by specific location?
I wouldn't want to share for 2-3 months with someone I don't know - unless an annexe but they all seem to be on airbnb anyway. I also will have quite a lot of luggage.

I would Google your preferred location with a general search. Holiday parks, camp sites (some have year-round static homes) etc.

Also you could pop a post on a the area's local FB page as some people let out an annexe or similar, but don't Airbnb it.

With Airbnb you can usually pay half up front and half later. You can of course book a couple of weeks and extend later but as you say it might get booked up.

Put your luggage in storage. Self storage if you need to access it
Therethwre might not be room in Airbnb to bring tons of luggage anyway

You can send an enquiry to the Airbnb property, which allows you to communicate directly with the owner. You could propose booking for a short period, say 2-4weeks, with the intention of booking the next block of time once you have the money from the sale. The owner can then block off the second time period on their calendar so no one else can book the dates. That’s assuming that they’d be happy to accept the risk of you failing to book the later dates, and them having missed out on other bookings.

Sheriif, thank you - I've tried with one buut he wasn't responsive really. I just thought maybe all aer like that - but sounds like I should try offering fthis to a few. Of course I would know if I wanted to extend at least 2 weeks before that extention, so would give the time to get other guests, this is not a very 'hot' area so he's mainly boked for weekends, I thought he'd be overhoyed about someone staying a solid month, but he's sort of 'take it or leave it'.

Close the one I was talking to wanted all payment upfront as is his usual system, so maybe just unlucky in this respect.
Embrace yes, will be doing that, but still a couple of cases!

I had to stay in four different Airbnb's between houses. All required full payment up front. None would give out addresses until they had payment, unless it was a commercial establishment. But I did it during the summer, I would expect some flexibility now.

maofteens that's quite a few! What was the total time length you had to ue them, I wonder? Was it generally a good experience - any advice on what to avoid? Are the ads usually accurate?

I've asked to view one saying I'm planning to stay for over a month so can I have a quick look - he said there will be guests there, but I can see it's not fully booked before my dates, fair enough I can read reviews of course.

@maofteens

I had to stay in four different Airbnb's between houses. All required full payment up front. None would give out addresses until they had payment, unless it was a commercial establishment. But I did it during the summer, I would expect some flexibility now.

Airbnb will not let you communicate phone numbers, email addresses or address of the property before booking is confirmed. If you try they will block it out. If you try to get round it with code or whatever as a host they can sanction you so nobody will do that.

@CatAndHisKit

maofteens that's quite a few! What was the total time length you had to ue them, I wonder? Was it generally a good experience - any advice on what to avoid? Are the ads usually accurate?

I've asked to view one saying I'm planning to stay for over a month so can I have a quick look - he said there will be guests there, but I can see it's not fully booked before my dates, fair enough I can read reviews of course.

Again, they can't give you the address before you book. They are not allowed.