[graeme]

If hosts don't use this, then you get sold out listings.

I was in Boston in November. Normally there would be a range of listings in the $60-$120 range, and then some in the ultra-pricey $250-$500 range.

Except there was a yatch race on, an ALL but one of the affordable listings was booked. I researched, and there really were dozens of listings that were normally cheap, but they were full.

I fortunately got the last affordable place in town. But I would have been much happier if some of the other hosts had charged a small premium. I was almost forced into a luxury listing.

[andrewkitchell]

Good point -- in response we'd say: 'pricing is hard!'

Its pretty rare that an individual hosts will have enough information to accurately/comfortably price their home.

By studying larger trends across a municipality, we think we can help paint a clearer picture for these hosts, both for short term price surges & also for how they should set the base price their home.

[graeme]

I also expect you could help mobilize spare capacity. I know some hosts who rent out their space one weekend a year and make $500-$600. They just go on a short vacation when the major festival hits town.

They get easy money, guests find space. With more spare capacity, I'd bet the average price would drop and more people would be happy.