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Why Manually Adjusting Your Airbnb Prices Can Outperform Dynamic Pricing Tools
Dynamic pricing tools are everywhere in the short-term rental world. Airbnb hosts are often told that these tools like PriceLabs, Beyond, or Wheelhouse - are essential for boosting profits.
At Virestia, we use data daily. But we’ve also seen firsthand that relying too heavily on automated pricing can cost you more than it helps.
Here’s why manual pricing, when done strategically, often delivers better results—especially when you want to stand out in crowded markets like Tulum, Houston, or South Carolina’s rising vacation hotspots. Remember, do you have an advantage if everyone is using the same strategy?
1.Uniqueness Sells
Dynamic pricing tools work by comparing your listing to others in the area. But the problem is, your property isn’t like the others.
Maybe your condo has better design, a rooftop plunge pool, or five-star guest service. Maybe it’s located steps from the beach in Charleston or in a quiet, high-end Greenville neighborhood.
Those extras? Algorithms can’t feel them. That means these tools often undervalue high-quality listings, recommending prices that don't reflect the guest experience or brand value you’ve built.
2. Local context beats algorithmic guessing
Let’s say you know there’s a music festival coming to town next month, or a private wedding party renting out several homes nearby. Will your dynamic pricing tool react in time?
Maybe. But if you’re managing the property - or working with a team like Virestia - you already have that insider knowledge. Manually raising your rates ahead of the demand spike gives you a huge advantage.
3. Dynamic tools don’t always protect your brand
Ever checked your listing and noticed it suddenly dropped to $68 for a Tuesday night? Guests notice, too. And sometimes those steep price swings make your listing look less premium or trustworthy.
With manual pricing, you can create consistent, intentional price bands that match your brand positioning. That way, even your low-season rates don’t lower the guest perception of your property.
4. Manual strategy = smarter long-term profit
Most dynamic pricing tools are designed to maximize occupancy. But at Virestia, we care just as much about maximizing your profit.
Sometimes it’s better to leave a night unbooked than to fill it with a low-rating guest. Manual pricing allows you to weigh those decisions and protect your bottom line, especially for premium properties.
5. You learn your market better by staying hands-on
When you or your property manager review pricing weekly, you start to spot patterns:
- When do last-minute bookings come in?
- What kind of guest books at which price point?
- What is the best rate for weekends?
This kind of insight helps you make smarter decisions over time. Tools are reactive—manual strategy is proactive.
What We Recommend at Virestia
We believe in blending data with intuition. For our managed properties, we use dynamic pricing tools as a base—but we manually override and adjust based on:
- Local events
- Unit-specific performance
- Seasonality and weather
- Competition
It’s not about doing more work. It’s about doing smarter work that aligns with your revenue goals, your brand, and your guests.
Final Word: Automation is helpful. But it’s not everything.
If you want to build a standout short-term rental business and not just fill up nights you need a pricing strategy that involves you manually changing your prices every once in a while to stay ahead of your competition.
And that’s exactly what we do at Virestia. If you would ever like to learn more about what we do here at Viresta, feel free to Contact Us.