I prefer professionally managed short term rentals. I use Airbnb as a search engine only. The type of property I want will have their own website which I then use as a contact. I've always felt professionally managed short term rentals were a resource for seasoned travelers. The kind of traveler that can find direct contact once they know you exist, without going through a listing service.
(I also depend much more on the quality of that interaction than I do on Airbnb reviews).
I prefer to pay the property directly in their own currency without paying Airbnb's fees.
Btw, perhaps it's the quality of rental I take, but the rates would never be mistaken for a casual rental by a resident.