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MY NEWSLETTER - https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeJoin me, Nik (https://x.com/CoFoundersNik), as I interview Taylor Jones (https://x.com/MrJonesSTRs), the founder of strsearch.com.Have you ever wondered if short-term rentals (STRs) are as passive as they seem? I used to think so, but Taylor completely changed my perspective. He breaks down how he went from a sales guy to overseeing over $120 million in STR investments by treating it not as a real estate game, but as an operations business.We dive into his first investment—a cabin in the North Georgia mountains that he bought having never owned real estate before—and how it generated $22,000 in cash flow its first year.Taylor reveals the critical mistakes he made, the lessons he learned about market supply and demand, and how a single amenity like a pickleball court can add $40,000 to your annual revenue.We also get into the incredible tax benefits and how STRs can offer active losses to offset your regular income, something I wish I'd known sooner.Questions This Episode Answers:• How can a single pickleball court add over $40,000 in annual revenue to an Airbnb?• Why is a short-term rental business more about operations than real estate?• How can you use short-term rentals to legally reduce your taxable income?• What is the biggest mistake new STR investors make when choosing a property?• Why are large-group rentals and small, romantic getaways the hottest trends right now?Enjoy the conversation!__________________________Love it or hate it, I'd love your feedback.Please fill out this brief survey with your opinion or email me at nik@cofounders.com with your thoughts.__________________________MY NEWSLETTER: https://nikolas-newsletter-241a64.beehiiv.com/subscribeSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/5avyu98yApple: https://tinyurl.com/bdxbr284YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/nikonomicsYT__________________________This week we covered:00:00 The Allure of Short-Term Rentals02:55 Understanding the Operations Behind STRs05:42 The Journey into Real Estate Investment09:00 Lessons from Early Investments12:09 Scaling Up: From One to Multiple Properties14:56 Market Dynamics and Supply-Demand Imbalances18:11 Navigating the Real Estate Landscape20:55 Investment Strategies for Success26:00 Understanding Market Dynamics and Profitability30:13 Revenue Estimation and Occupancy Rates33:25 Tax Implications and Depreciation Strategies40:27 Investment Strategies for Short-Term Rentals47:31 Advice for New Investors in Short-Term Rentals
Four years, 250 episodes, listeners in 60 countries. Annie Holcombe of the “Alex & Annie” podcast shares how a scrappy launch at VRMA turned into one of the most influential shows in short-term rentals. We cover booking hard-to-get guests, the value of cross-pollinating hotel best practices, and the power of sticking with it. Annie also announces her new consultancy, Annie & Co, and her election to the VRMA Board, with a focus on education and member value.In this episode:How a consistent weekly cadence built momentum and a global audienceGuest strategy that goes beyond operations to branding, tech origin stories, and women leadersLessons STRs can borrow from hotels to level up guest experience and revenueWhy education is the industry's biggest gap and how VRMA can meet itAnnie's leap to consulting: who she helps, first 25 to 50 units, and channel diversification that actually worksSneak peek at VRMA Vegas: more interactive sessions, better engagement, and community vibeConnect with Annie:Website: anniecosolutions.comEmail: annie@anniecosolutions.comEpisode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 265+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com
Is refinancing your short-term rental a smart move—or a trap that eats away your cash flow?In this episode of Cash Flow Positive, Kenny Bedwell sits down with veteran mortgage broker and STR financing expert Matt Stout. With over 32 years of lending experience and thousands of deals funded, Matt pulls back the curtain on when refinancing actually makes sense. From dropping interest rates and shifting housing trends to creative ways to redeploy “dead equity” into higher cash-flowing properties, this episode delivers the unvarnished truth about refinancing in today's market.You'll learn the right (and wrong) reasons to refinance, how to weigh costs versus cash flow, and why keeping versus selling a property can make or break your long-term wealth.Don't guess your way through one of the biggest financial decisions you'll face as an investor. Press play now to get Kenny and Matt's proven framework for knowing when to refinance and how to use it to build real generational wealth.About the GuestMatt Stout is “The STR Loan Guy” and founder of Consumers Financial, a mortgage brokerage licensed in 48 states. With over three decades in lending and a personal background in real estate investing, Matt specializes in STR and DSCR loans that help investors unlock equity and scale their portfolios. He's known for creative lending strategies, hybrid loan solutions, and his straight-shooting approach to helping investors win deals.
This week I got to speak with Erin Dalton-Cooney, the Head of Property Management Design at Wayfair Professional. Erin is a wealth of knowledge in this industry, and in her role she's gained experience overseeing design and set up for every type of property from STRs, MTRs, boutique hotels, and unique resorts. She shares with us today how Wayfair Professional is the secret weapon that designers are using to take shipping consolidation and install completely off their plates. If the pro designers trust Wayfair Professional, you should too! Erin teases us with what's coming next for Wayfair Professional, what they have to help you now, and how they are saving hosts serious time and money, so you can get back to what you do best – investing! Check out mine and Tatianna Taylor-Tait's official Wayfair Tastemaker collection HERE Connect with @wayfairproffesional on Instagram Thank you to my sponsors! Lodgify - Link Receive 20% off Lodgify's most powerful plans with code NoVacancy20 at checkout Proper - Link Visit the link to claim your free risk assessment with Proper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LEARN MY STR INVESTING & STRATEGIES
Pedro returns to unpack Sunny AI, a purpose-built assistant trained on Summer OS's proprietary data to help investors and operators spot patterns, compare markets, and forecast performance in seconds.In this episode:Why AI fits STRs: fragmented data, shifting markets, and the need for predictive modelingWhat makes Sunny AI different: specialized (not generic) AI trained on Summer OS data to “think” like an operator and investorHow it works: compare cities and submarkets, build comp sets, benchmark a specific home, and translate complex metrics into plain EnglishUse cases for everyone: first-time buyers to 1,000-unit PMs (hours of analysis reduced to minutes)The future: AI for STRs becomes as standard as MLS or Zillow for real estate and GPS for driving___Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 265+ profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com
From the cockpit to commercial real estate, Tate's story shows how a high-earning W-2 professional can build wealth outside of the stock market. In this episode of the Tax Smart REI Podcast, Tate shares the lessons he learned moving from single-family to multifamily to syndications and the strategies that help pilots and other professionals put their money to work more effectively. You'll learn: - How Tate's early mistakes shaped his investing philosophy - Why LPs should evaluate sponsors before the deal - Where commercial real estate sits in today's cycle - How oil & gas and STRs can reduce taxes for W-2 earners - Why access to alternatives in retirement accounts could be a game-changer To become a client, request a consultation from Hall CPA, PLLC at go.therealestatecpa.com/3KSEev6 Subscribe to REI Daily & Enter to Win a FREE Strategy Call: go.therealestatecpa.com/41JuQBX Connect with Eckard Enterprises: eckardenterprises.com/taxsmartrei/ More From Tait: Website: https://www.turbinecap.com Co-authored Oil and Gas eBook: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17jUYSuoJGCU2ea4SN6MLgazmp-3LE2Lt/view?usp=share_link Daniel Rusteen's Airbnb book: https://www.amazon.com/Optimize-Your-Airbnb-audiobook/dp/B07R7CCKPK/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RuqABHwSbg5DlqM7IpdbdyWEN0kpPfMH9Zirre2T_2LGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.Twgy40bFLaRKl4w4yOQGk7aOq7kWbEn890lz81_OJDU&dib_tag=se&hvadid=693594071991&hvdev=c&hvexpln=67&hvlocphy=1027744&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=18402973686594528136--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=18402973686594528136&hvtargid=kwd-2430861329715&hydadcr=21936_13365930&keywords=optimize+your+bnb+by+daniel+rusteen&mcid=e22c221c33dd3f379af9461f5fcc2624&qid=1757789681&sr=8-1 The Tax Smart Real Estate Investors podcast is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Information on the podcast may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. No reader, user, or listener of this podcast should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this podcast without first seeking legal and tax advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney and tax advisor can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this podcast or any of the links or resources contained or mentioned within the podcast show and show notes do not create a relationship between the reader, user, or listener and podcast hosts, contributors, or guests. Any mention of third-party vendors, products, or services does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. You should conduct your own due diligence before engaging with any vendor.
In this episode of the Real Estate Education Podcast, Erin Spradlin and James Carlson dive into a critical warning for real estate investors: AI is dangerously unreliable for investment advice. James shares his experiment testing ChatGPT's Colorado Airbnb market knowledge, revealing that over 50% of recommendations were completely illegal—including cities that banned STRs entirely.
If $250,000 dropped into your lap today, would you actually know what to do with it?In this episode of Cash Flow Positive, Kenny Bedwell pulls back the curtain on exactly how he'd put that money to work in short-term rentals. He breaks down why your financing strategy can make or break a deal, the five cost buckets most investors forget about, and why setting your ROI goal up front is non-negotiable.You'll hear Kenny think through real markets, from Florida beaches to Shenandoah cabins, and explain how to spot which ones fit your budget and which ones will bleed you dry.Don't guess your way into a $250K mistake. Hit play now to hear Kenny's no-fluff, data-backed roadmap and get clarity on where your money will actually cash flow.Timestamped Highlights[00:00] How a $250K windfall changes your investing strategy overnight[02:14] The financing trap that torpedoes deals before they close[04:18] The five hidden costs every STR investor must budget for[07:36] Kenny's minimum ROI goals—and why cash flow beats percentages[10:53] The “process of elimination” method for picking your markets[14:25] Why Bradenton, FL, might work—and the brutal barrier to entry[21:00] Shenandoah's low-barrier charm vs. beach market competition[24:38] How lakefronts in Michigan and urban rentals in Cincinnati stack upResourcesSTR Insights softwareTop Markets Report (via STR Insights website)Dave Ramsey podcast (benchmark reference)Zillow & Redfin (for market comps)Evergreen LinksWant us to find the deals for you? https://strinsights.com Get Top Markers for STRs (2025) https://www.strinsights.com/top-investable-short-term-rental-markets-2025-report
Welcome to Hassle-Free RE! Today, Dave Menapace and Will Van Wickler break down what it really takes to scale beyond 10 properties in the short-term rental business. From hidden costs to operational complexity, they reveal the challenges no one talks about and the mindset shifts required to build a sustainable, profitable business.Dave and Will discuss why scaling isn't just about acquiring more doors—it's about building systems, hiring the right team, and stepping into the CEO role. They share stories from managing dozens of properties and a boutique hotel, highlighting the importance of financial organization, operations across different markets, and learning to coach your team instead of trying to do it all yourself.This episode also explores the personal side of scaling—how to manage the mental load, avoid burnout, and focus on the few things that actually move the needle. Whether you're just getting started or looking to expand your portfolio, this conversation will help you prepare for the realities of growth and avoid costly mistakes. Tune in now to gain the insights you need to scale with confidence and clarity.TIMESTAMPS1:22 – Scaling beyond 10 properties and the myth of “easy scaling”2:23 – The hidden costs of growth3:09 – The foundation for scaling3:59 – Beach vs. mountain STRs and diversifying across markets4:59 – Managing 40+ properties and shifting into the CEO mindset6:00 – Building a team before you think you can afford it7:56 – Lessons in leadership: coaching, mentoring, and emotional intelligence8:57 – Obsessions that drive business growth: owners, teams, and guests10:00 – Breaking the “grind first, hire later” mindset10:38 – The importance of roadmaps, reps, and purposeful scaling12:00 – Hyperfocus on 1–3 strategies to 10x faster13:14 – Final takeaways: team, mindset, and staying disciplined with growth#ShortTermRentals #BusinessGrowth #RealEstateInvesting #ScalingSTRs #PropertyManagement
Andy Newman shares how a backpacker's curiosity turned into a 140-property, multi-state operation - and why the true moat isn't software, it's a team with years of lived hospitality “stories” you'll never find in a manual. We dig into hiring for heart and skill, right-sizing tech, and building resilient portfolios that survive seasonality, HOAs, and hurricanes.What you'll learnWhy tenure matters: the power of a team averaging 5+ years of on-the-ground scenariosThe tech trap: streamline tools, keep the robust PMS, avoid shiny-object overloadHiring that sticks: HR-led recruiting, multi-interviewer veto power, and benefits that retain A-players (PTO, sick days, parental leave, 4-day weeks for top performers)Culture > shortcuts: why “VAs run it while you sip drinks on a beach” is a mythRisk-smart growth: diversify by seasonality, regulation, and climate (Andy's 50-mile & ~1500-mile rules)Owner advisory: treat STRs like a portfolio—location, amenities, and booking windows tailored to returnsThe road ahead: professional management and selection matter as the industry enters its “third inning”Connect with Andy: andy@newmanhospitality.comNewman Hospitality: newmanhospitality.comNew interviews every Friday + the Monday Market Report!____Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 255 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com
Is moving from short-term rentals into boutique hotels the natural next step for savvy investors? In this episode, Jamie Lane sits down with James Savier, SVP at CBRE Hotels, to explore why more STR operators are eyeing boutique hotel ownership—and what it really takes to succeed.Hotels may seem like an entirely different ballgame, but as James explains, the leap isn't as far as you might think. From financing options and valuation differences to building brands that actually command loyalty, this conversation demystifies how STR experience can translate into hotel investment. You'll also hear candid insights on common mistakes, hidden opportunities, and why timing matters more than ever in today's market.If you've ever wondered whether boutique hotels could be your next big play, this episode will open your eyes. You don't want to miss it!What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why many STR investors see boutique hotels as the next logical step.How hotels are valued differently from rental portfolios—and why that matters for your exit strategy.The financing tools available for hotel buyers (and how they compare to STR loans).The role of branding, guest experience, and scale in boutique hotel success.Common pitfalls first-time hotel investors make—and how to avoid them.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE
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In this episode of the Real Estate Pro Show, host Erika interviews Corey Mays, a rising star in the real estate investing and capital space. Corey shares his journey into real estate, starting from wholesaling to multifamily acquisitions, and discusses the importance of networking and building relationships in the industry. He also reflects on valuable lessons learned from early deals and outlines his current business ventures and future plans. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind: Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply Investor Machine Marketing Partnership: Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com Coaching with Mike Hambright: Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform! Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/ New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club —--------------------
Welcome to our latest episode! Today, Dave Menapace and Will Van Wickler tackle one of the most pressing issues in real estate and hospitality—the growing wave of short-term rental regulations. From Boston and Portland to vacation markets like Cape Cod and Bar Harbor, they break down how local governments are shaping the landscape and what it means for investors, operators, and homeowners.Dave and Will explore whether regulations are killing innovation or simply protecting neighborhoods. They highlight the differences between metropolitan markets, where affordability and neighborhood impact are driving restrictions, and vacation markets, where safety and infrastructure are the focus. The conversation also dives into the opportunities these changes create—such as boutique hotels, ADUs, and other creative strategies that thrive within regulatory frameworks.Whether you're considering your first investment property or already operating multiple units, this episode delivers essential insights on zoning, HOA rules, due diligence, and the importance of common sense in real estate investing. Tune in now to learn how to navigate regulation with confidence, spot hidden opportunities, and avoid costly mistakes.TIMESTAMPS01:57 – Why regulation isn't always a bad thing02:58 – Metro and vacation markets03:53 – How regulations shape neighborhoods05:41 – Boutique hotels create opportunities where STRs are restricted07:14 – Creative approaches with ADUs and owner-occupied rentals08:47 – HOAs: hidden rules that can make or break your investment10:37 – Due diligence and using common sense before buying11:40 – Why relationships and neighbor dynamics matter for operators12:43 – Deal analysis, and avoiding bad buys13:53 – Why AI tools fall short on regulation research14:43 – How to connect with Dave and Will#ShortTermRentals #RealEstateInvesting #STRRegulations #BoutiqueHotels #PropertyManagement
Taylor sits down with Alex, co-founder of Whimstay - the OTA built to fill your unsold gap nights inside 30 days. Alex shares his journey from theater to Yelp to startup life, why Whimstay is “HotelTonight for STRs,” and how hosts can add revenue without stealing a single booking from Airbnb or Vrbo.In this episode:Incremental revenue, not cannibalization: Why Whimstay targets 0–30 days to capture mid-week, shoulder-season, and last-minute demand.Host economics: 5% host commission + traveler fee (≈5–7%); you set a last-minute discount and keep bookings from going to zero.Supply → demand flywheel: Early focus on PMS integrations (Guesty, Escapia, Streamline, etc.) and larger PMs; now expanding with an independent host portal.Who books last-minute: Gen Z/Millennial “next-gen” travelers, digital nomads, and retirees seeking value and spontaneity.Distribution strategy reality check: Don't “work for one OTA.” Diversify to reach different booking windows and traveler segments.Growth levers: Google Vacation Rentals partnership, organic community buzz, and a ramped marketing push.Vision: Make last-minute STRs ubiquitous - hosts list on Airbnb/Vrbo and Whimstay to clear expiring inventory.If you've got unbooked Tuesdays or shoulder-season gaps, this convo will show you how to turn them into found money - no new cleaners, no new systems, just smarter distribution.Explore Whimstay: whimstay.comNew episodes every Friday + Monday Market Report___Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 215 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com
Welcome to our latest episode! Today, Dave Menapace and Will Van Wickler dive into one of the hottest debates in hospitality—Airbnb versus boutique hotels. With firsthand experience managing both luxury vacation rentals and boutique hotels across New England, they unpack the shifts in traveler behavior, the challenges of guest expectations, and the long-term opportunities for investors.Dave and Will explore whether Airbnbs are truly “collapsing” or if the market is simply evolving. They discuss why boutique hotels are gaining momentum, how guest expectations around cleanliness and consistency are shaping decisions, and the economic pressures impacting both industries. Dave shares insights from managing boutique hotels at scale, while Will highlights the differences in condition standards, branding power, and commercial financing for multi-unit hospitality properties.Whether you're a real estate investor, property manager, or just curious about where short-term rentals are headed, this episode breaks down the pros and cons of both asset classes. Tune in now to learn what travelers value most, why consistency is becoming the key competitive edge, and how to think strategically about hospitality investments moving forward. TIMESTAMPS02:05 – Airbnbs versus boutique hotels: is there really a collapse?03:32 – Shifts in the market and vacation spending trends05:35 – Economic slowdown and what service businesses reveal about the economy06:37 – Why boutique hotels feel safer and more consistent08:18 – Airbnb condition challenges vs. hotel cleanliness standards10:01 – The five-star review pressure for STR hosts versus hotel reputation models11:56 – Boutique hotels versus single-family STRs13:37 – Scale advantages15:29 – Investment considerations: residential STRs vs. boutique hotels16:01 – Commercial financing, seller credits, and due diligence for hotel deals17:23 – Why relationships matter in commercial hospitality investing18:21 – Wrap-up, takeaways, and how to connect with Dave and Will#ShortTermRentals #HospitalityIndustry #AirbnbVsHotels #RealEstateInvesting #BoutiqueHotels
This week on the STR Investing Podcast, Mark sits down with Valerie Gangas, CEO of Juniper Holiday + Home, author, meditator, and lifelong hospitality pro. Valerie shares how a childhood split between Chicago restaurants and apartment buildings shaped her “guests-first” operating system, why there's never a checkout chore list, and how sending a real human (often with a pie!) can turn hiccups into five-star moments. She also opens up about boundaries, meditation, and why taking care of yourself is the first step to taking care of your team, owners, and guests.In this episode:Valerie's origin story: restaurants + multifamily → boutique STR managementDesigning for memories (fresh flowers, cookies, wine, pet-name biscuits) vs. overspending on marbleThe Juniper standard: effortless check-in, zero checkout tasks, and mid-stay service that wowsHiring & scaling: trusting your gut, team consensus, and filling your own gapsMindset for operators: meditation, boundaries, and leading from a calm centerOTAs vs direct: grateful for discovery, intentional about repeat bookingsThe education gap in STRs and why community knowledge-sharing matters____Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 255 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com
Are you running a successful Airbnb or short-term rental business… but feeling the burnout from endless turnovers, guest messaging, and unpredictable income? You're not alone. In this episode, we sit down with the founders of Thanks for Visiting, Sarah Karakaian & Annette Grant, who are seasoned STR operators and educators. We talk about how they've integrated mid-term rentals (MTRs) into their business strategy. We cover:Why experienced STR hosts are adding MTRsHow hybrid hosting stabilizes revenue and reduces stressThe systems and mindset shifts that make furnished rentals sustainableTips for maximizing profit while avoiding host burnoutIf you're serious about building a smarter, more profitable hosting business, this conversation will change the way you think about STRs and MTRs. Subscribe for more insights from top operators.Ready to fill your mid-term rental? List your property on Furnished Finder today:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/list-your-property(Use code LLD10 for $10 off new listings)Learn more about Thanks for Visiting and their upcoming bootcamp: https://thanksforvisiting.com/bootcamp⏱️ Episode Timestamps:0:00 Welcome to The Landlord Diaries2:25 How Sarah and Annette met and built TFV4:20 What made two STR pros explore MTRs6:40 Why STR burnout is real and what to do about it8:40 Resourcefulness is your #1 business tool9:35 Real-life STR/MTR hybrid strategy success stories11:35 Pro tip: Give yourself time to find the right MTR guest13:00 When midterm makes more sense than short term15:05 How they were already MTR-ready without knowing it17:00 Can glamping work for monthly stays?18:00 Matching property type to market demand19:50 When a property doesn't work for MTR23:40 Why MTRs are perfect for winter slowdowns25:45 Listing Audit Bootcamp sneak peek29:35 How to price midterm rentals effectively33:20 Where Furnished Finder fits in a hybrid strategy35:50 How MTRs helped reduce burnout and increase freedom38:25 Smart calendar management for STR/MTR combos40:15 No booking fees and full control with Furnished Finder41:10 Why MTRs are part of the future of furnished rentals42:45 Most unique midterm guest stories45:20 Best business advice for scaling without burnoutTrending Midterm Rental Resources:https://www.furnishedfinder.com/Resources/PMResources The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.
In this episode of STR Like the Best, I sit down with John from Topkey—a financial operating system built specifically for property managers—to talk about the “unsexy” but absolutely essential side of running a short-term rental business: cash flow, expense tracking, and financial controls.We cover why cash (not revenue) is the single source of truth in your business, how to capture every reimbursable dollar without adding admin headaches, and how to keep your favorite rewards credit cards in play while still integrating all your spend into one clean system.John shares his journey from investment banking to Starwood Hotels, HotelTonight, and Airbnb, and how those experiences shaped Topkey's mission to simplify the messy financial workflows in STRs. We also swap stories on leaving banking, building businesses with our spouses, and why the why behind your business matters just as much as the tools you use.Whether you're managing 5 units or 50, this episode will show you how to run tighter books, free up headspace, and ultimately build a business that supports the life you want.LEARN MY STR INVESTING & STRATEGIES
In this episode, Taylor sits down with Zach Busekrus, growth marketer and co-founder of Journey, a game-changing loyalty platform designed for STR operators and independent boutique hotels. Zach shares how his winding path from higher ed marketing and podcasting to nomadic Airbnb living during COVID ultimately led to Journey: a mission-driven platform curating “stays with soul” and giving operators a powerful new way to increase repeat bookings, monetize guest loyalty, and gather data, all without giving 15–30% to the OTAs.You'll learn:How Zach turned a side project newsletter into a startup acquisitionThe behind-the-scenes story of Journey's creation and its big-name backersWhy loyalty programs work and why most independent hosts haven't had access to themHow Journey helps guests earn and redeem points across a curated network of high-quality staysWhy operators benefit from better guest insights, brand credibility, and additional revenue streamsWhat it really takes to get early adopter traction in the hospitality spaceJourney's vision for becoming the “soulful” alternative to chain hotel loyalty systemsWhether you're managing four vacation rentals in Joshua Tree or scaling a boutique hospitality brand, this episode is packed with strategic insights on how to turn direct bookings and guest loyalty into real growth, without relying solely on Instagram or the OTAs.Apply to the Journey Alliance: alliance.journey.comDownload the app or learn more at: journey.comContact Zach: zach@journey.com Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 255 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com
#560 Thinking about investing in an Airbnb but not sure how to know if it's a good deal? In this episode, host Brien Gearin sits down with John Bianchi — founder of STR Search and widely known as “The Airbnb Data Guy.” John shares how he went from financial advisor to short-term rental data expert, helping investors avoid costly mistakes and identify profitable properties using deep data analysis. You'll learn what really makes an Airbnb stand out, how to evaluate markets, the truth about today's STR landscape, and why understanding your numbers is more crucial than ever! What we discuss with John: + How John became “The Airbnb Data Guy” + Transition from financial advisor to STR expert + Why most people buy the wrong Airbnb properties + How STR Search helps investors with data + Common Airbnb revenue-driving features + Importance of pricing strategy and revenue managers + Why many STRs fail — and how to avoid it + Airbnb market conditions in 2025 + The truth behind the “Airbnb bust” narrative + How to use STRs for tax savings and cash flow Thank you, John! Check out STR Search at STRSearch.com. Follow John on Instagram and YouTube. Watch the video podcast of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to MillionaireUniversity.com/training. And follow us on: Instagram Facebook Tik Tok Youtube Twitter To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Short-term rentals (or STRs) like Airbnbs have been a hot topic in the local headlines over the last few years. We talked with two STR owners back in 2023 when they first challenged the County's regulations, but since then, they've taken the County to court, including hearings in front of the Nevada Supreme Court. So where does it all stand now? Are STRs legal in Clark County, and what kinds of regulations would actually make sense for our neighborhoods? Co-hosts Sarah Lohman and Dayvid Figler discuss. Please see below for tomorrow's sponsor show notes: Learn more about the sponsors of this August 25th episode: Woven Want to get in touch? Follow us @CityCastVegas on Instagram, or email us at lasvegas@citycast.fm. You can also call or text us at 702-514-0719. For more Las Vegas news, make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Las Vegas. Learn more about becoming a City Cast Las Vegas Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Looking to advertise on City Cast Las Vegas? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.
What if you could turn everyday travelers into a social media content army - one that boosts your visibility, drives direct bookings, and promotes the local experiences your guests already ask about?In this episode, Mark sits down with Maddie Rifkin, founder & CEO of Mount, to unpack how she's helping short-term rental operators, property managers, and even mom-and-pop vendors monetize recommendations and go viral without relying on big-budget influencers or OTAs.They dive into:How Mount connects hosts with local vendors & turns recs into revenueWhy normal travelers often outperform big influencers in content creationWhat it takes to launch your own “content army” and build massive brand awarenessThe truth about follower count vs. post performanceHow one host added $200K in direct bookings with a single viral strategyThe best platforms to focus on for real ROI in the STR spaceHow to prepare for a viral spike so it doesn't fizzle outPlus: Maddie reveals what makes a great content creator, how her team trains and deploys stewards across the country, and why now is the best time to build your brand on social media before it's too late.If you're tired of the OTA hamster wheel and want to future-proof your business with better guest experiences, content marketing, and direct booking strategies, this episode is your jump start.Connect with Maddie: LinkedIn Learn more about Mount: www.mountlocks.com___Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 255 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com
In this episode, we're joined by Erin Lenhardt of The Brighthouse to talk building, market focus, design of winning STRs, guest experience, investing and a LOT more...Enjoy!⭐️ Links & Show NotesAdam NorkoConrad O'ConnellThe BrighthouseErin Lenhardt
Think buying a short-term rental is the fast track to homeownership? In this episode, David Sidoni unpacks the real math behind Airbnb investing — and why it might be the wrong move if you're still renting.With affordability at an all-time low, many first-time homebuyers are exploring creative ways to get into real estate. One trend gaining popularity: buying a short-term rental like an Airbnb in a cheaper market instead of purchasing a primary residence. But in this brutally honest episode, David Sidoni reveals why that plan could backfire.David breaks down the 2025 short-term rental landscape, explaining how increased competition, regulations, and declining profits have changed the game. More importantly, he highlights the financial risks renters take when they try to become investors before becoming homeowners.This episode dives into the math, the mindset, and the myths — showing you why owning your own home first is the smartest play. If you're tempted by Airbnb hype, you need to hear this before making a costly mistake.Quote: "The golden goose of Airbnb is losing its feathers and turning into a turkey super quick."Highlights:Why short-term rental investing isn't what it used to be in 2025The financial danger of skipping rent replacementHow tax laws, maintenance, and financing make STRs riskier than they lookA breakdown of real costs vs. projected incomeWhat first-time buyers should do instead of chasing Airbnb profitsConnect with me to find a trusted realtor in your area or to answer your burning questions!Subscribe to our YouTube Channel @HowToBuyaHomeInstagram @HowtoBuyAHomePodcastTik Tok @HowToBuyAHomeVisit our Resource Center to "Ask David" AND get your FREE Home Buying Starter Kit!David Sidoni, the "How to Buy a Home Guy," is a seasoned real estate professional and consumer advocate with two decades of experience helping first-time homebuyers navigate the real estate market. His podcast, "How to Buy a Home," is a trusted resource for anyone looking to buy their first home. It offers expert advice, actionable tips, and inspiring stories from real first-time homebuyers. With a focus on making the home-buying process accessible and understandable, David breaks down complex topics into easy-to-follow steps, covering everything from budgeting and financing to finding the right home and making an offer. Subscribe for regular market updates, and leave a review to help us reach more people. Ready for an honest, informed home-buying experience? Viva la Unicorn Revolution - join us!
Blake and Jeremy went from managing shared co-living spaces to running 80 short-term rental properties.In this episode, they share the systems, deals, and mindset that made it possible.• How they pivoted from co-living to STRs• The growth path from a handful of units to 80• Systems they rely on to keep operations tight• The partnerships that accelerated their scale• Lessons learned about market selection and timing00:04:31 - Learning from a high-functioning real estate company00:05:52 - Landing a management gig through direct outreach00:08:04 - Managing a growing number of people00:10:15 - Staying focused while running STR operations00:14:42 - Biggest drags on a short-term rental business00:16:05 - What each founder values most in the business00:18:59 - Identifying problems and fixing them00:20:48 - Preventing issues from stacking up00:23:39 - Taking responsibility for team mistakes00:26:57 - Boutique hotel as a pivotal business asset00:28:39 - Balancing investment strategy with STR management00:34:36 - Staying at your own properties to evaluate quality00:37:18 - Challenges get easier with experienceGuest Bio:Blake Anthony Carter and Jeremy Courtney have both been operating in real estate and property management for over a decade. They initially got started in the co-living space, which led them to short-term rentals. They eventually sold our co-living business and with all-in on short-term rentals. Blake and Jeremy started a Facebook group and a meet-up group that allowed them to become known as the go-to guys for STRs in Austin. Their company is called Cribs. Blake and Jeremy now own a boutique hotel and three SF doors. They manage over 80 listings and have a real estate sales/consultant team.Guest Link:https://www.instagram.com/blake.anthony.carterhttps://www.instagram.com/thejeremycourtneyGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:http://group.strsecrets.com/
Blake and Jeremy went from managing shared co-living spaces to running 80 short-term rental properties.In this episode, they share the systems, deals, and mindset that made it possible.• How they pivoted from co-living to STRs• The growth path from a handful of units to 80• Systems they rely on to keep operations tight• The partnerships that accelerated their scale• Lessons learned about market selection and timing00:04:31 - Learning from a high-functioning real estate company00:05:52 - Landing a management gig through direct outreach00:08:04 - Managing a growing number of people00:10:15 - Staying focused while running STR operations00:14:42 - Biggest drags on a short-term rental business00:16:05 - What each founder values most in the business00:18:59 - Identifying problems and fixing them00:20:48 - Preventing issues from stacking up00:23:39 - Taking responsibility for team mistakes00:26:57 - Boutique hotel as a pivotal business asset00:28:39 - Balancing investment strategy with STR management00:34:36 - Staying at your own properties to evaluate quality00:37:18 - Challenges get easier with experienceGuest Bio:Blake Anthony Carter and Jeremy Courtney have both been operating in real estate and property management for over a decade. They initially got started in the co-living space, which led them to short-term rentals. They eventually sold our co-living business and with all-in on short-term rentals. Blake and Jeremy started a Facebook group and a meet-up group that allowed them to become known as the go-to guys for STRs in Austin. Their company is called Cribs. Blake and Jeremy now own a boutique hotel and three SF doors. They manage over 80 listings and have a real estate sales/consultant team.Guest Link:https://www.instagram.com/blake.anthony.carterhttps://www.instagram.com/thejeremycourtneyGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:http://group.strsecrets.com/
* We break down the legal angle of the Mayor's indictment with Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino * We check in with Councilmember JP Morrell about the short-term rental ordinances and the success the city is seeing with unlicensed STRs already.
We check in with New Orleans Councilmember JP Morrell about the short-term rental ordinances and the success the city is seeing with unlicensed STRs already.
In this special co-hosted episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark Lumpkin and Taylor Jones sit down together for only the second time to deliver a real-time “State of the Union” for short-term rentals in mid-2025.From front-end data and acquisitions to back-end renovations and management, they share what's working, what's not, and where the smart money is moving right now.You'll hear:Why investors are winning at the ends of the bedroom count spectrum and why 3-4 beds are becoming “no man's land” in many marketsHow small, niche 1-2 bedroom getaways are rivaling the returns of mega propertiesThe rising costs, permitting headaches, and contractor pitfalls impacting renovationsWhy picking the right property manager can make or break your investmentHow the “Big Beautiful Bill” is driving high-income earners into STRs for tax strategy and wealth buildingThe design and amenity decisions that actually move the revenue needleHow to think strategically about interest rates, seasonality, and timing your next purchaseIf you want to understand the shifts shaping today's STR market and how to adapt before you get left behind, this episode is packed with timely insights you can put into action.
✅ FREE community: Join 33K+ hosts growing their wealth with STRs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/284886002732508/?mibextid=oMANbw✅ FREE tool and training to find your own Super Property: https://go.buildstrwealth.com/superpropertygrader
It's our 300th episode, and we're pulling back the curtain on 10 years of short-term rental success! From 50,000+ guests to managing properties in 3 countries, Tim reflects on the real journey—wins, losses, and the seven books that changed everything. If you're serious about STRs, this milestone episode is one you don't want to miss. ● The early days: managing STRs from across the hall to managing globally from afar ● Why falling in love with the problem is the real secret to scaling your business ● The 7 life-changing books that built the foundation of long-term STR success ● How STR management has gotten harder—and why that's actually good news for operators ● What's next: The vision behind building the largest virtual STR management company in the world This episode is a blueprint for sustained success in the evolving world of short-term rentals—perfect for both newbies and seasoned hosts. Check out our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShortTermRentalRiches Grab your free management eBook: https://strriches.com/#tools-resources Looking to earn more with your property (without the headaches)? Chat with our expert management team: https://strriches.com/management-services/
What happens when the short-term rental playbook stops working? You adapt or you get left behind.In this episode of the STR Investing Podcast, Mark sits down with Jeremy, founder of BNB Calc, property manager, mastermind host, and investor behind some of the most jaw-dropping “super properties” in the country. Jeremy shares his journey from buying turnkey cabins and Florida pool homes in 2020 to chasing truly one-of-a-kind assets like a 7,000-sq-ft Kentucky estate with its own private lake, sports arena, and a Nerf war zone.We dive deep into:How the STR game has evolved since 2021 (and why the old strategies don't work anymore)The search process for unicorn properties that can't be easily replicatedDesigning over-the-top amenities that drive bookings and social media buzzLeveraging viral marketing to fill calendars months in advanceLong-term plans to scale a mega property into something completely unique in its marketIf you're ready to rethink your portfolio, out-amenitize your competition, and turn creative vision into serious revenue, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss.___Episode Sponsored By:STR SearchSTR Search is the industry leading property finder service. They've helped investors acquire over 255 profitable STRs across the US. If you'd like the data professionals to help you find your next STR, reach out to STRsearch.com
This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at the latest STR WealthCon.From attracting 30 members to the mastermind to tactical takeaways from a 2000+ person event, we break it all down.• Why raw content works better than polished• The one onboarding question that reveals true goals• STR WealthCon recap: biggest takeaways• How to get ROI from live events• The vibe shift in the STR community-Want to get crystal clear on your goals and scale your STR business?Click the link below to book a discovery call and see if our Mastermind is the right fit for you.Link: https://go.strsecrets.com/podcast?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T023&utm_content=Clear-00:03:01 - Raw Content That Converts00:05:55 - Massive Takeaways From WealthCon00:08:42 - Unlock Event ROI Secrets00:11:32- Mindset Shift Every Host Needs00:14:25 - Behind the Scenes of a Power Launch00:16:54- High-Impact Networking Tips00:19:32- Underrated Gold From Live Events00:22:21 - Mastering the Referral Flywheel00:25:06- Growth Hacks for Ambitious HostsGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com/
In this episode, I share why I went all in on short-term rentals and how this business changed my life — from leaving corporate finance at Hilton to building a lifestyle of freedom, growth, and purpose.I open up about how STRs helped me grow as a businessman, strengthen my relationship with my fiancée, support my parents, and ultimately design a life on my terms. I also talk real — the ups, the downs, and why this business isn't for everyone.If you're in this game and wondering whether to keep going — or thinking about getting started — this episode is for you.
In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette answer listener Dayne's two-part question about couch cushion covers and temperature control settings in short-term rentals. First, they discuss the pros and cons of using removable couch covers vs. investing in performance fabric for sofas. Then, they dive into the hot topic (pun intended) of thermostat control—should guests be allowed to set their own temperatures, or is it worth installing smart limitations to avoid outrageous utility bills? Sarah and Annette share real-life examples, hosting philosophies, and best practices to help you make decisions that balance guest comfort with operational efficiency.Resources Mentioned:Eco Mode / Smart Thermostats: Consider models like Nest or Ecobee for features like motion detection, scheduling, and remote access.Performance Fabric Sofas: Brands like Inside Weather, Burrow, and Article offer durable, easy-clean couches perfect for STRs.Hosting Hotline: Have a question for Sarah and Annette? Leave them a voicemail at hostinghotline.com to be featured in a future episode.
What separates a property that barely breaks even from one that dominates its market? It's not just timing, it's strategy.In this episode of the Cash Flow Positive podcast, Kenny Bedwell shares hard-earned insights from his latest experiences in the field and on stage at the STR Wealth Conference. Drawing from real client case studies, personal portfolio wins, and lessons learned from analyzing hundreds of STRs, Kenny emphasizes one core principle: if you want to stand out, you need to do what 95% of people won't, or can't do.Whether it's investing in an unconventional niche, buying undervalued properties with built-in equity, or avoiding oversaturated markets that everyone's rushing into, this episode offers a blueprint for smarter decision-making. Kenny doesn't just talk numbers, he dives deep into mindset, strategy, and the critical difference between copying a great idea and creating one.You will walk away with a sharper understanding of what makes an STR truly resilient and why now, more than ever, real estate investing requires bold moves and creative thinking. If you've been sitting on the sidelines or unsure where to focus your next property search, this episode will give you the urgency and clarity to act.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Cash Flow Positive podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today! Listen now and enjoy!Key takeaways:Why you shouldn't wait until fall to start searching for STR propertiesThe 95% rule and how to apply it to your next investmentWhat it really means to have a moat and how to create oneHow to spot undervalued properties with instant equityWhy copying a good deal isn't the same as creating oneWhat investors are getting wrong in oversaturated marketsThe biggest mistake Kenny sees when hosts chase cash flow aloneHow to structure your next deal to survive any dip in revenueAnd much more...Resources:Connect with Kenny on LinkedInFollow Kenny on InstagramDisclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the Cash Flow Positive podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.
Are you thinking about selling your short-term rental but unsure how to prepare it for a profitable sale? In this episode of the Cash Flow Positive podcast, host Kenny Bedwell sits down with real estate expert and investor Madeline Blum to unpack the strategic steps needed to maximize your return when exiting a short-term rental investment.Madeline shares her insights from both the agent and investor perspective, offering practical advice on preparing a property for listing, managing guest experience during the transition, and understanding the realities of today's saturated market. From the importance of budgeting and inspections to the value of patience and honesty, this conversation is a candid and informative guide for anyone considering selling an STR.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Cash Flow Positive podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today! Listen now and enjoy!Key takeaways:Why budgeting upfront for guest experience can make or break your STR's performanceHow to coach your clients for STR success before listingWhy a bad cleaner can hurt your reviews—and your ability to sellThe importance of routine inspections and functional appliancesWhy pre-listing inspections are crucial in today's competitive marketWhen it might be wiser to take a loss and move onHow to make executive decisions based on your unique situationThe value of leaning on local resources and being adaptableWhy honesty—from yourself and your agent—is key to successWhy patience is a necessary mindset in a slow marketAnd much more...Guest Bio: Madeline Blum is a real estate agent and short-term rental investor with properties in multiple markets, including the Smoky Mountains, North Carolina, the Bourbon Trail, and Panama City Beach. With experience on both sides of the deal, she brings a strategic, investor-savvy approach to buying, selling, and managing STRs—always focused on creating long-term value and delivering exceptional service.Resources:Connect with Kenny on LinkedInFollow Kenny on InstagramFollow Madeline on InstagramFollow Madeline on FacebookDisclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the Cash Flow Positive podcast or its affiliates. The content provided is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. We make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this podcast and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. Listeners should consult with a professional for specific advice tailored to their situation. By accessing this podcast, you acknowledge that any reliance on the content is at your own risk.
Send us a message!In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we sit down with Paul Kromidas, Founder & CEO of Summer, to talk about the growing need for asset intelligence in short-term rental investing, and why gut feel is no longer enough when deciding which properties to buy.Paul shares his journey from building products at Airbnb to launching Summer, a powerful underwriting and asset management platform designed specifically for STR operators. Originally built as an internal tool while running his own rental portfolio, Summer is now helping operators and investors across the U.S. evaluate, acquire, and manage properties with more confidence and accuracy.Key Topics Discussed:1️⃣ Why post-COVID performance data is misleading and how to normalize it2️⃣ The difference between pricing tools and true asset intelligence3️⃣ How Summer helps operators know if a property will perform before they buy it4️⃣ What investors, lenders, and operators are really looking for in STR data5️⃣ Lessons from Paul's time at Airbnb, including what makes a brand resilientIf you're buying or managing STR properties without a reliable way to underwrite or track performance, this episode is a must-listen.Connect with Paul:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kromidas-a8343519/ Website: https://summeros.com/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Get a free market assessment from Track with 3 to 5 actionable insights tailored to your business. (valued at $400)You will meet one-on-one with an expert to help evaluate your market, identify opportunities, and build a strategy to help you stand out.
On this episode of the Real Estate Education Podcast, Aaron and James break down the return of 100% bonus depreciation for short-term rental investors, now made permanent under the new tax bill. They explain how this powerful tax strategy—often called the "STR loophole"—allows qualifying investors to accelerate depreciation deductions and offset their W2 income, potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars annually. Using real-world examples, they walk through the three key steps to implement this strategy and discuss why it's exclusive to STRs versus traditional long-term rentals. The hosts also explore a significant shift in mortgage lending: how the Federal Housing Finance Agency is directing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to include cryptocurrency assets in loan qualification processes. Drawing from recent industry reports showing 5.4% of homebuyers now sell crypto for down payments, they discuss the implications of treating volatile digital assets similarly to tech stocks in mortgage underwriting, while weighing the benefits for younger buyers against potential risks to financial stability. Reach Out: Interested in consulting with Erin? Email erin@erinspradlin.com Work with James: James@JamesCarlsonRe.com Also in this episode: Why bonus depreciation works for STRs but not traditional rentals (hint: it's about active vs. passive income) The difference between cost segregation studies and 100% bonus depreciation Real example of a Miami buyer who lost 12% of his crypto value during forced liquidation How crypto reserves compare to stock holdings in mortgage qualification The tension between supporting small business investors and addressing housing affordability Whether you're a high-income earner looking for tax relief, an STR investor wanting to maximize deductions, or curious about how cryptocurrency is changing real estate financing, this episode provides the insights you need. The hosts remind listeners that while they may have political reservations about some tax policies, understanding and legally utilizing available strategies remains important for individual financial success. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on YouTube and Spotify for weekly real estate education content.
How much money do short-term rentals really make after five years? In this episode, Tim pulls back the curtain on one of his personal properties, revealing actual numbers - gross, net, and everything in between. As the STR landscape shifts nationwide, find out how rising supply and falling rates are impacting returns and what to do about it. • Discover supply surges in major STR markets • Hear the full breakdown of Tim's Memphis STR: gross income, cash flow, and true ROI • Learn why 2022 was an outlier year for many STRs and what's changed since • Get 5 proven ways real estate pays • Walk away with actionable backup plans for when income dips and expenses rise This episode is a rare, honest peek into real-world STR returns. Don't miss the tips that could protect your profits and maximize your property's long-term value. Check out our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShortTermRentalRiches Grab your free management eBook: https://strriches.com/#tools-resources Looking to earn more with your property (without the headaches)? Chat with our expert management team: https://strriches.com/management-services/
Are you tired of feeling trapped in your 9-to-5, dreaming of a life where you call the shots? In this episode, I sit down with Rebecca Muriuki, a corporate exit strategist who traded her role as a Big Four audit firm director for the freedom of remote entrepreneurship—all while managing a thriving short-term rental business from Nairobi, Kenya.Rebecca's story isn't just about leaving the corporate world; it's about rewriting the rules of success. After years of climbing the ladder, she realized true fulfillment meant prioritizing family, fun, and freedom. Now, she's helping other women do the same—by building income streams that align with their values and unlock lifestyle freedom.We go deep into the mindset shifts required to break free from the golden handcuffs of traditional careers. Rebecca opens up about the identity crisis she faced after leaving corporate, how she manages properties remotely, and the practical steps she took to reclaim her time and power.What sets Rebecca apart is her holistic approach—this isn't just about investing in real estate and throwing a property on Airbnb, it's about recalibrating your entire relationship with money, success, and self-worth. If you've ever felt stuck or scared to make a leap, this episode is your permission slip. It's packed with honest insights, proven strategies, and the kind of motivation that will make you believe freedom isn't just a dream—it's a decision! HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS: [01:17] A short introduction about our guest Rebecca Muriuki and how she started in the world of short-term rental business far from home [04:24] Rebecca shares how a misaligned job and desire for time freedom led her to short-term rentals—and how her vision helped her act before crisis struck [09:33] Rebecca reflects on her intuitive decision-making and how her values-based foresight shaped her path [13:10] Rebecca shares how frustration in corporate life revealed the core values that now guide her business decisions [16:18] Rebecca opens up about the emotional shift after leaving corporate life and how mindset work helps her navigate uncertainty and find self-worth from within [21:44] How childhood loss fueled our need for external validation and how healing that pattern has helped us build true confidence and inner-driven success [26:02] How Rebecca supports women in entering the world of short-term rentals and unlocking the powerful benefits it offers [31:47] Rebecca highlights the hardest part for women entering STR especially around how long success actually takes [35:26] Rebecca's approach to aligning exit timelines with each woman's personal and professional goals [37:35] The myth of passive income in STRs and the importance of vetting property managers [43:04] The lightning round Golden Nuggets: “The only option that I could see, and that was being taught a lot, was to build a business. So that's what I did. I started building a business.” “It's such an interesting thing how sometimes when you look back hindsight, you realize some of the skill sets you don't actually realize you have.” “I really started to accept my values when I started to reflect on what were the things that totally pissed me off about my corporate job, things that annoyed me.” “Once I learned to live my life from the inside out and recognize that when I have internal abundance, the external abundance is a natural byproduct of it.” “What if this doesn't work? Yeah, there's a chance it couldn't work, but you also have the power to refine until it works.” “I would definitely put myself in rooms where you can see evidence that it's possible, because the environment has a big impact on your conditioning; which has a big impact on your thoughts, your belief system.” “Never compare yourself with others. Stay in your own lane. You are on your own journey.” Let's Connect! Podcast: https://richwomanrevolution.com/podcast Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, Rate, Review, Like, and Share!
I'm back. Here's where I've been, what's changed in STRs, and how this podcast will help you win in 2025 — one smart move at a time.Follow the new facebook page hereThank you so much for your support.
Properties for Sale on the North Side? We want to buy them. Email: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com Have a vacancy? We can place your next tenant and give you back 30-40 hours of your time. Learn more: GCRealtyInc.com/tenant-placement Has Property Mgmt become an opportunity cost for you? Let us lower your risk and give you your time back to grow. Learn more: GCRealtyinc.com ============= Sebastian Mysliwiec, founder of The Dream Rentals, explains how he's built a short-term and mid-term rental management company that delivers top guest experiences and maximizes profits! Sebastian talks about cutting his teeth and eventually thriving at a marketing company that helped build his real estate skill set. He provides tactical advice on underwriting, marketing, and managing short-term rentals (STRs). Sebastian explains how his team manages seasonality, shares a STR horror story, and top amenities for guests. He closes with remarks on refinancing considerations for STR properties and his team's growth strategy. If you enjoy today's episode, please leave us a review and share with someone who may also find value in this content! ============= Connect with Mark and Tom: StraightUpChicagoInvestor.com Email the Show: StraightUpChicagoInvestor@gmail.com Guests: Sebastian Mysliwiec, The Dream Rentals Link: The Dream Rentals Instagram Link: Skyscraper Tom's Instagram Link: The 12 Week Year (Book Recommendation) Guest Questions 01:58 Housing Provider Tip - Leverage Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to request property info during due diligence! 04:25 Intro to our guest, Sebastian Mysliwiec! 08:31 Defining AirBnB arbitrage. 13:28 Underwriting basics of short-term rentals (STRs)! 20:10 Listing platforms for STRs. 26:09 Managing STR seasonality in Chicago to optimize profit. 35:36 STR Marketing Tips! 45:45 AirBnB Horror Story! 47:46 Top STR amenities. 49:23 Mid-Term Rental analysis and expanding to other markets! 55:13 Refinancing STR properties. 56:47 What is your competitive advantage? 57:15 One piece of advice for new investors. 57:42 What do you do for fun? 58:25. Good book, podcast, or self development activity that you would recommend? 58:54 Local Network Recommendation? 59:29 How can the listeners learn more about you and provide value to you? ----------------- Production House: Flint Stone Media Copyright of Straight Up Chicago Investor 2025.
Most people lose in STR because they think small.This episode breaks down exactly why $150K–$200K is now the minimum to win, and how to outpace the competition by investing in what actually matters.You'll learn: • How Mike's team turned a $715K property into a 26%+ cash-on-cash winner • Why outdated listings are getting crushed in today's market • The new furnishing rule of thumb (hint: it's not $6K per room anymore) • Why “I'll add amenities later” is the biggest red flag from investors • Real-world examples of design ROI and creative deal structuring • How to dominate Year 2 with direct bookings, not just AirbnbIf you're serious about STR, this episode will shift how you think about budget, value, and building long-term cash flow.-Want bookings before you're even done renovating? Just click the link below to get the Free Training.https://go.strsecrets.com/podcast?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Captivate&utm_campaign=T022&utm_content=PreLaunch-00:03:30 – Budget Furniture and Low Investment No Longer Work in B or C Markets00:05:00 – Reinvesting in Amenities Can Revive Underperforming Properties00:07:15 – Pre-Launching With Mood Boards Can Generate Bookings Before Renovation Ends00:09:03 – Investing More in Amenities Can Double or Triple Cash-on-Cash Returns00:13:02 – You Need Direct Bookings—Don't Rely Only on Airbnb and VRBO00:15:01 – You're Competing on ADR Only If You've Maxed Out the Amenity Strategy00:23:29 – Borrow Amenities From Other Markets to Win in Your Own00:25:16 – Don't Wait to Upgrade—Do It Upfront or You'll Lose MoneyGet FREE Access to our Community and Weekly Trainings:https://group.strsecrets.com/
In this timely episode of In The Lab, Ruben breaks down when and why you should consider shifting to a hybrid short-term and mid-term rental model and how the latest tax legislation makes it even more lucrative. Coming off last week's Driving Conversations with AI vs. Questions, he explains how operators can strategically layer MTR contracts over STR availability to increase monthly income while protecting long-term upside.Ruben shares why hybrid models aren't just a fallback when STRs are soft—but a proactive strategy that aligns with seasonality, market demand,and most importantly the tax code. He covers how to position your properties to attract both leisure guests and insurance contracts, the systems you need in place to pull it off, and how to avoid making reactive decisions that hurt your business in the long run.If you're looking to increase occupancy, optimize taxes, and build a more resilient and profitable rental portfolio in today's evolving landscape, tune in now and learn why now is the best time to execute the hybrid STR/MTR model.#MidtermRentals #ShortTermRentals #STRStrategy #MTRGrowth #HybridHosting #RealEstateInvesting #VacationRentalTips #InsuranceHousing
What should you really ask before wiring $100K into a multifamily deal? In this special episode, Michael sits down with Nighthawk's Garrett Lynch and Drew Kniffin to run through 50 of the most important questions every passive investor should be asking—and every active investor should know how to answer.From deal structure and cash flow mechanics to team accountability, tax strategy, and risk mitigation, this is your behind-the-scenes guide to how Nighthawk operates—and how to evaluate any syndicator with clarity and confidence. Whether you're an LP looking to invest smarter or an aspiring operator trying to earn trust, this episode is required listening.Key Takeaways50 Questions Every Passive Investor Should Ask (And Every Active Investor Must Answer), including: Nighthawk's Track Record and Operating PhilosophyHow Nighthawk got started, how many deals they've done, and what makes their model differentWhat happens when a deal doesn't go to plan—and how the team respondsWho's on the core team and how key decisions are made (especially in tough markets)Why vertical integration and boots-on-the-ground operations give them an edgeUnderstanding Returns, Distributions & Deal StructureWhat kind of returns to expect—and how preferred vs. total returns actually workWhen investors get paid, what happens during a refinance, and how long deals are heldWhat happens if the property underperforms or market conditions shiftWhy Nighthawk doesn't do capital calls—and how they plan for uncertaintySyndications vs. Other Investment ModelsThe difference between syndications, REITs, and fundsWhat LPs actually own, how deals are structured legally, and what kind of control (or not) they haveHow profit splits and operator compensation align with investor outcomesMinimum investment amounts and what the onboarding process looks likeThe Passive Investing MindsetThe key mindset shift every new LP needs to makeMultifamily vs. flips, STRs, and self-storage—what makes multifamily the superior playHow to think about diversification across deals and sponsorsWhat to do if you're nervous—or your spouse isn't on board yetTaxes, Depreciation & IRAsHow multifamily syndications deliver major tax benefits (even on paper)What bonus depreciation is and how it offsets incomeWhen to expect your K-1 and how IRA investing works (including UBIT considerations)What happens tax-wise at refinance or sale—and how to defer gains via 1031sHow to Vet Deals and Sponsors Like a ProWhat to look for in underwriting: cap rates, expense ratios, rent growth assumptionsThe importance of fixed-rate debt, cash reserves, and risk-adjusted returnsHow to ask the right questions—even if you're not an expertWhy the best investors don't “return shop”—they evaluate the whole pictureConnect with Nighthawk EquityTake the Free Mini-Course at NighthawkEquity.comSchedule a Call & Join Our Investor ClubConnect with MichaelFacebookInstagramYouTube
In this week's episode of the Tax Smart REI Podcast, Thomas Castelli and Nathan Sosa break down everything real estate investors and business owners need to know about the now-official “Big Beautiful Bill”, the sweeping tax package that just became law. Key topics covered: - 100% bonus depreciation is back and permanent: who qualifies and when it starts - QBI updates: simplified rules, new thresholds, and small business wins - SALT cap expansion (finally!) and what the five-year phase-in means for planning - Section 179 expensing: higher limits and how it benefits STRs and commercial assets - Qualified Opportunity Zones get renewed: what's changing in 2027 - And more! Plus, we highlight the planning window left in 2025, how to take action before year-end, and why this bill sets the stage for strategic investing and long-term tax savings. To become a client, request a consultation from Hall CPA, PLLC at go.therealestatecpa.com/3KSEev6 Subscribe to REI Daily & Enter to Win a FREE Strategy Call: go.therealestatecpa.com/41JuQBX The Tax Smart Real Estate Investors podcast is for general information purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Information on the podcast may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. No reader, user, or listener of this podcast should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this podcast without first seeking legal and tax advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction. Only your individual attorney and tax advisor can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Use of, and access to, this podcast or any of the links or resources contained or mentioned within the podcast show and show notes do not create a relationship between the reader, user, or listener and podcast hosts, contributors, or guests.
Register here for the live online event to learn about ‘Unlocking BRRRR Deals in Little Rock on Thursday, July 17th at 8PM Eastern. Keith discusses the competitive nature of short-term rentals (STRs) and the need for hosts to offer luxury amenities to attract guests. Long time investing pro, Alex, joins us to cover the BRRRR strategy in Little Rock, Arkansas, an investor-advantaged market, emphasizing its low property taxes and stable cash flow. They explain the BRRRR process, including: buying, renovating, renting, refinancing, and repeating. The strategy allows investors to scale their portfolios with minimal initial capital, offering a 0% management fee in year one and 4% in year two. Resources: Register here for the live online event to learn about ‘Unlocking BRRRR Deals in Little Rock on Thursday, July 17th at 8PM Eastern. Show Notes: GetRichEducation.com/561 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREinvestmentcoach.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments. You get paid first: Text FAMILY to 66866 Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search “how to leave an Apple Podcasts review” For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— text ‘GRE' to 66866 Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript: Automatically Transcribed With Otter.ai Keith Weinhold 0:01 Welcome to GRE I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, anymore when you own short term rentals like Airbnbs and vrbos, you are in an all out arms race competing to provide amenities like never before. Then what happens when you take the popular burr real estate strategy and overlay it with one of the most investor advantaged markets in all of America. It's a lucrative opportunity. You'll see how and why today on get rich education. Keith Weinhold 0:32 Mid south home buyers, I mean, they're total pros, with over two decades as the nation's highest rated turnkey provider, their empathetic property managers use your ROI as their North Star. So it's no wonder that smart investors just keep lining up to get their completely renovated income properties like it's the newest iPhone. They're headquartered in Memphis and have globally attractive cash flows, an A plus rating with the Better Business Bureau, and now over 5000 houses renovated their zero markup on maintenance. Let that sink in, and they average a 98.9% occupancy rate, while their average renter stays more than three and a half years. Every home they offer has brand new components, a bumper to bumper, one year warranty, new 30 year roofs. And wait for it, a high quality renter. Remember that part and in an astounding price range, 100 to 180k I've personally toured their office and their properties in person in Memphis. Get to know mid south enjoy cash flow from day one. Start yourself right now at mid southhomebuyers.com that's mid southhomebuyers.com Speaker 1 1:58 You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education. Keith Weinhold 2:14 Welcome to GRE from North Conway, New Hampshire to North port, Florida and across 188 nations worldwide. I'm Keith Weinhold, and this is get rich education, happy July, the second half of the year. And my favorite month of the year is your Airbnb fancy enough, because anymore STRS short term rentals have gotten so competitive that hosts treat their properties like white lotus level hotels. Now, STRS were never passive, but they become even less so it is active income. Once upon a time, Airbnb hosts could just sort of drop a few colorful throw pillows on their fold out couch and make a killing. But no more those days are so far gone. The STR game has changed drastically. I mean, you used to be able to list a basic home with generic furniture that you got at Costco, minimal amenities, no Wi Fi, and still get it booked, but today, it will sit empty unless you offer more than just a place to sleep. You have to build an experience for Airbnb guests. Now, increasingly, hosts are doing things like adding outdoor kitchens, arcade machines, putting greens, even basketball. And now, though these upgrades do cost a lot up front, they can pay off. These amenity types can double your nightly rate, but they come with more responsibility and more to maintain. I mean, more guests are expecting a flawless experience. The trend is that Airbnbs are becoming full scale hospitality operations, and if you don't treat it like one, you're going to fall behind. So simply having a nice house that just no longer cuts it, running a short term rental today is nothing like it was even two or three years ago. You used to be able to stand out with a decent bed and colorful throw prolos, but now guests are basically comparing your place to boutique hotels. Hosts are deeply investing in design, forward furniture, layered lighting and featuring spaces that some market as what they call moments like cozy reading corners in these luxurious bathroom setups, adding things like welcome guides and even complete brand identities with a proper. Name and even a logo and a story to give the place some personality, even writing up a history for your property, even if it's not that historic. Now, these sorts of tactics, they actually do, seem to work. Guests will give you more bookings, better reviews, and guests even share the space on social media like it's somewhat of a lifestyle destination now sometimes STR hosts, they team with these other platforms to add welcome champagne in ice buckets on site, sommeliers, private chefs, daily, housekeeping on demand. 24/7 textable concierges, heated plunge pools and other amenities through you partnering with some of these platforms and these upgrades don't come cheap. The publication called the playbook, they featured an STR in Sag Harbor, New York, where the property owner invested $85,000 into overhauling the landscaping and adding a James Turrell Inspired LED light installation. But overall, these improvements boost rental revenue by an average of 40% over what the property was collecting previously. All right, so this is a case study now, though, this STR trend of offering deep hospitality and luxury amenities has turned into more of a job and less about passive income. You know, really, this is free market capitalism, because this is competition to see who can provide the best service at the lowest price, but that's what it is. So this is making real estate less of a good and more of a service. Short term rentals soaring supply, day rate compression and AI driven pricing tools. That means that the just this all nice house with good photos thing that no longer cuts it. It is an amenities arms race now, and of course, this is a national trend. It doesn't mean that it's happening absolutely everywhere. In some places, hosts are able to charm guests simply with something like a freshly baked loaf of banana bread, but the consensus is whether they spend a little or a lot, Airbnb hosts unanimously say that they've got to work harder in order to keep guests happy. It's become more of a business and less of a side hustle than it used to be. You've got more hosts leaning into higher upfront investments because they know guests will pay for a sort of turnkey, Instagrammable experience. And this really is a classic early adopter issue, just like a lot of things, Airbnb launched in 2007 by the way, so this sort of first wave of Airbnb hosts back around 2012 to 2015 they were riding a blue ocean back then. There was virtually no competition. There weren't any standards, and there were plenty of bookings, and that made a lot of hosts pretty fat and happy. But that's not where we are now, really. The bottom line is that in many markets, short term rentals have transitioned from partial passivity to all out hospitality. That's the Airbnb arms race. The average Airbnb nightly rate for North America. Do you care to venture a guess at the average nightly rate? It is approximately $216 per night, and that right there is up 26% from 2020 so it is not up as much as house prices over that five year period from 2020 really, the Airbnb rate is up about as much as the long term rental rate. Keith Weinhold 8:58 While we're talking numbers a quarter recently ended. Let's hit on our asset class rundown. What's happened to home prices in the past year? Well, when you aggregate all these sources, Zillow, Freddie, Mac case, Shiller, FHFA, in totality, home prices are up 2% single family rents are up 3% apartment rates are down 1% due to their oversupply. The 30 year mortgage rate was 6.9% a year ago, and it's 6.8 now. CPI inflation is 2.4% expressed in year to date terms. Now the SP5 100 is up 5% in the first half of this year, ending near 6200 the dollar is down. That means that it takes more of them to buy gold, which is over $3,300 an ounce, gold is up 27% just from the start of this year, and the oil price is still depressed in the 60s. Per dollar for a barrel, Bitcoin still strong, ending the quarter at 106kthat's your asset class rundown, which we do about quarterly. Keith Weinhold 9:57 Hey, I really enjoyed meetingside. Of you on this year's terrific real estate guys Investor Summit at sea was concluded about a week ago. It was two days on land in Miami, followed by a week of conferences and fun aboard a Caribbean cruise ship. I really got to meet you and get to know you, because we had nine days together, and as one of the faculty members, I hosted a table at dinner every night, and each night the attendees rotated around to my table, so I got to meet a lot of you and really get to know you, and you got to know me. Yeah, it was as interesting for me to meet you in person, perhaps, as it was for you to meet me, because I like to hear what you're doing in real estate, investing, in everything else. I gave a main stage presentation that was almost an hour of all me, all GRE and also served on five different panel discussions. Oh, it's such a unique event. Get this, I was kind of dressed up to give my main stage presentation, which so many of you, by the way, told me afterwards, that that was your favorite presentation of them all, all week long, because each faculty member made a main stage presentation. But what I want to tell you is, just a few hours after I presented, on the cruise ship, I was shirtless in the water throwing a football around at the beach in St Thomas Virgin Islands. What an event. Fantastic to meet a number of you in person. So far today, I hope what I've shared with you has been informative. Next. It's something informative and really actionable that you can make lucrative that's next. I'm Keith Weinhold. You're listening to get rich education. Keith Weinhold 11:45 The same place where I get my own mortgage loans is where you can get yours. Ridge lending group and MLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than anyone because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage. Start your pre qual and even chat with President Caeli Ridge personally, while it's on your mind, start at Ridge lendinggroup.com. That's Ridge lendinggroup.com. Russell Gray 12:16 You know what's crazy your bank is getting rich off of you, the average savings account pays less than 1% it's like laughable. Meanwhile, if your money isn't making at least 4% you're losing to inflation. That's why I started putting my own money into the FFI liquidity fund. It's super simple. Your cash can pull in up to 8% returns, and it compounds. It's not some high risk gamble like digital or AI stock trading. It's pretty low risk because they've got a 10 plus year track record of paying investors on time in full every time. I mean, I wouldn't be talking about it if I wasn't invested myself. You can invest as little as 25k and you keep earning until you decide you want your money back, no weird lock ups or anything like that. So if you're like me and tired of your liquid funds just sitting there doing nothing, check it out. Text family to 66866, to learn about freedom. Family investments, liquidity fund again. Text family to 66866. Russell Gray 13:30 Hi. This is Russell Gray, co host of real estate guys radio show, and you're listening to get rich education with Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream. You Keith, Keith Weinhold 13:38 welcome back to get rich Education. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, we're talking to a guest not only about an investor advantaged market, but when you overlay a certain strategy with it, this can be highly lucrative for investor returns, and we're with a long time investing pro Alex, welcome onto the show. Alex Craig 14:04 Hi Keith, thank you. Keith Weinhold 14:05 Well talking about top US cashflowing market, let's get right to it. Tell us about yours. Alex Craig 14:11 Little Rock, Arkansas. It's a market that we've been in since 2012. I personally invest there. I've got about 75 doors of multi family, single family. And the reason why it works is just cash flow. Over the years, we've had investors from around the country that have owned portfolios where maybe they're somewhere in Phoenix or Dallas, where they're kind of speculating. This is not a speculation market, and that's why it works for myself. It's consistent. It's very linear, and linear is a word that we use a lot to describe. And if you're going to be a cash flow investor, and that's why I'm in it, it's you want a linear market. You don't want ups or downs, and then you want to make sure it's a growing market too. And Little Rock checks all the boxes of what you would want in a stable cash flow environment market. Keith Weinhold 14:57 And I think a lot of our investor listeners are. Already pretty keen on that. You get a high ratio of rent income to purchase price. You have laws that heavily favor landlords over tenants. But Alex, in today's environment, people are more conscious about rising operating expenses and higher mortgage expenses, and that's really one advantage that Arkansas can give right now, is with those low property taxes Alex Craig 15:20 Keith,it's so interesting you mentioned that because I did have a conversation with a client of ours that had a property in another market that he had mentioned how his property taxes had gone up and gone up substantially, which that's to expect. I mean, after COVID, there was a lot of markets saw a huge boost, especially with markets that saw hedge funds come in. Hedge Funds, I believe, ruined a lot of markets, raised the prices. And another reason I like Little Rock, it flies under the radar. You think is Little Rock is a small market, but it's really not. It's, I mean, the population of the city is 250,000 but the metro area, which is a 50 mile radius around Little Rock, is much bigger. And the entire, not only the entire market, metro area, feeds off little rock, really, the entire state does too. But that being said, because it's floating under the radar, the property tax have remained low. They've taken a little bit of bump over the years, because the values steadily go up, but they started low anyway. So with operating costs of insurance, insurance has gone up for a lot of for my own properties in other markets, it's going up, and it's going up in Little Rock too. I mean, it's just the name of insurance, but property taxes have remained low. They've always been low, and that's really a big help as to why this market works for us. Keith Weinhold 16:30 Talking about flying under the radar, you're talking about, therefore evading a lot of that hedge fund money. Tell us more about the market and some of those anchors and drivers. Alex Craig 16:40 It's a blue collar town. You've got logistics. Is a market, or is a segment of the industry that has really come on strong over the last few years, Amazon has really put a footprint in the market. Healthcare is a huge, huge market, like I mentioned earlier, not only does the region feed off the direct to the entire state, it's the hub of healthcare for the entire state of Arkansas, of course, it's government. Government provides a lot of jobs. The good thing about government jobs is they're maybe not on a national level anymore, but on a local, state level, they're very it's hard to get let go from a government job, unless now, not on a federal level, but it's very steady, so a lot of steady blue collar jobs, and that's what you want for a strong resident base, especially in the type of properties and 1000 to $1,200 price range, you want those blue collar study growing jobs. Keith Weinhold 17:31 Yes, you do have those there. It's funny. I'm smiling a bit because I used to be a state government employee, and there's just no way that they ever would have fired me. I was so protective I had to quit in order for them to have to replace me at that job. I'm wondering about the new supply that's come on, Alex, because a number of markets have added supply. I know, for example, that Redfin reports that little rock median home price appreciation is up 7.3% year over year, and with the dynamics going on in the market recently, that typically tells us that there hasn't been that much new supply added. Is that what's going on there? Alex Craig 18:11 No, there hasn't been a lot of new supply. I just think with little rock and every other market, the mortgage rates have gone up. Home ownership is down during COVID. It was really hard to get an investment property. For what we did, sending out our list every week. It was basically send out our properties, people hitting send and not even knowing what they were reserving. Rates were just low, right? Everybody's jumping in. It was hard to get inventory. So now what we have is, you know, higher rates that scares some people off. It pushes some people out on the market, but it also creates opportunity. I feel like this is the easiest time I've been investing in real estate since 2007 that was the foreclosure crisis, Great Recession, and it was a lot of foreclosures on the market, and that's how I built a big chunk of my portfolio. But now it's just a matter of there's not as many people in it. So for us, there's just more acquisitions for us to go out and get. There's still distressed homes on the market where individuals don't want to hire a realtor, they just want all cash offers. They're ready to get rid of them, and that's where we step in. And without as much competition like I said, we kind of fly under the radar. I feel it creates more just supply inventory for us and for me as an investor, but also for our clients too Keith Weinhold 19:23 with that in mind, and again, a lot of our audience is already on board, knowing that little rock in Arkansas is a good cash flow market with stable, long term fundamentals, but in order to make it more profitable, you've overlaid it with a certain strategy there in Little Rock. Tell us about that. Alex Craig 19:45 So the BRRRR strategy, yes, it's able to work now because there's not as many buyers in the market. So basically, the way the burrs strategy works is we acquire a property. I'm just going to use very round, simple numbers for simple math makes it easier on me Keith Weinhold 19:58 and we're talking the BRRRR. Strategy that's buy, renovate, rent, refinance, and repeat. Those are the five investor steps. Alex Craig 20:07 correct. And so that's what we do, is we buy. Let's just say the B. Let's take the B, for example, we buy a home, and we buy it for 60,000 where I'm just talking like if I own the home, and then I put $20,000 into the deal. So now I'm all into it for 80,000 and you have to remember, there's some in between, cost of closing costs. I'm just talking just very general strategy. You buy it for 60, you put 20 into it, and all of a sudden you're in it for 80, and the value comes back at 100 so you're in it for 80% of the after repair value. Most Fannie Mae lenders will do 75% so if you purchase a house outright, you put 20% down, but if you are doing a refinance, you're able they'll do it at 75% so instead of buying a home and putting it down payment upfront, you're using equity in the deal. And that's what the burst strategy is, buy renovate. So we buy it, we renovate it, we refinance it, we rent it out, and then you repeat it. So it allows for investors to scale their portfolios quicker and stretch their money a little bit further. So if you've got, I've got $50,000 and I want to invest in real estate, if you purchase a home, you're bound by the down payment. Once you put that down payment, it's, I wouldn't call it sunk cost, but that money's gone for reinvesting. The burr model allows you to stretch that money a little bit further. Now, like I said, I gave pretty basic numbers to the deal, but that's what you're going for. Some equity in the deal, and that's what we're able to provide for ourselves and for our clients. Keith Weinhold 21:38 So let's review that numbers on a little rock burp, making a $60,000 purchase with a pre renovated property. Then the investor puts another 20k into it for the renovation. So now they're all in for 80k and they get a 100k appraisal on that property, and then they can borrow, say, 75% of that there, that is the refi portion, the fourth letter of the BRRRR acronym. So therefore they've got 80k into it, and they got 75k back, meaning they would only have 5k into it, but maybe another 5k for closing costs, and now they only have 10k in to a 100k property. That's the appeal. That's what we're talking about here with the BRRRR Alex Craig 22:22 strategy. I mean, you're exactly right. And as I mentioned, I use some really basic numbers, because when you're using, you know, 100,060 and 20 makes them very basic. It's pretty hard to find out a deal worth 100,000 these days, even when we started in the industry, 100,000 was a pretty cheap after pair value. Probably the mean value of the homes that we're dealing in is probably about 140 to 140 to 160 but same principle, based on those same logic that what we just talked about, I wouldn't say, you know, five or 10k out of pocket, but if you're talking about purchasing a deal with 25% down versus doing a bur you're probably going to be in it at 15% Out of pocket costs 10 to 15% as opposed to putting a down payment of 25% but the big thing is, you're getting money back, and you're not putting as much so just it's great for scale. I don't know if you'll talk about DSCR lending very much on your show, but that's something that a lot of our clients, and that does 80% so we have a lot of clients going that route now too. Keith Weinhold 23:21 Okay, so you could do 80% with debt service coverage ratio loans, but to drop back in our example, to help be clear, the investor has 80k of their own skin in the game into the property, 60k for the purchase, 20k for the renovation, even though they only have 80k in it appraises for 100k that ARV, that after repair value. Why is the after repair value 100k when you only have 80k into it? Why is it more? Alex Craig 23:49 that's based off comparable sales? So when you're in it at 80, and you're going to refinance it through a lender, they're going to send an appraiser out, and appraiser is going to pull comparable sales within that neighborhood. So just because you're in an 80 the appraiser is going to go pull three comps, very similar to that home. So if we're selling a three bedroom one bath, they're going to pull three comps at a three bedroom one bath, relatively the same size look, if it's got a carport, they're going to try to find three houses with the carport. So in theory, that's what they're doing. They're pulling comparable sales and developing new value based on recent sales. Keith Weinhold 24:23 So it's that you have this knowledge to buy in neighborhoods and buy in certain sub markets, where, when you know that capital is added and renovations are made and a rehab period that they do tend to appraise for that value based on the comparables that are already there. Alex Craig 24:40 Yeah. I mean, if we were to take the same house at 60,000 and didn't do any work, he would then say, well, you've got some comparables here versus 100 but you could never sell this home for 100 these are the things you have to do, and that's what we do during the first R the renovate of the acronym is to renovate the home to the condition that the. Appraisers feel that are comparable for the neighborhood, and that's a real important part, is comparable to the neighborhood. We could go in and put in a Jacuzzi tub and grain of countertops. We actually, we do put a lot of grain in, because we get it so cheap. But you could go in and fix it up to the nines, but it's not going to appraise for any more than the others, because the appraiser would say, we over improved it. So we improve it to what we know, what the kind of the standard for the neighborhood? Because you could over improve these things for sure and not get that return on that investment. Keith Weinhold 25:28 That is a great answer. There is a specific improvement target that you know that needs to be hit. Tell us more about this burr process, because to an out of area investor, it can sound pretty intimidating if they had to manage contractors remotely themselves, Alex Craig 25:43 there definitely is a need to have a team on the ground that you trust, that you feel comfortable with, and that's what we've done. I've been doing it in multiple markets for myself since 2007 and we built into a business model in 2010 like I said, expanded Little Rock in 2012 and we've been doing this for 15 years now for other investors. So we've got that name and that reputation of taking care of our investors, that's the important part. And we do see a lot of investors get burned, because you can find a realtor to go to help you find deals, but usually the realtor relationship is thesis to end. It's okay, I found you a deal, but then there's so many other things afterwards, and the renovations, where I see so many people get burned, and you know, we manage approximately 1200 homes between two markets, and that's where I see when property owners come to us, they've been burned the most. It's like they've paid somebody $50,000 they didn't finish the job, they didn't do what they say they're going to do. So the renovation that we're the team on the ground, we've got a in House Project Manager, we've got a network of subcontractors. We tend to act as the contractor, subbing things out. We've got in house property management. We've got all the tools, but it's really between both. In the markets in which I operate. I've got about 30 employees within property management, renovations, acquisitions, so the team on the ground is and then the back in the property management part is the long, ongoing accountability. So if something doesn't work out, that's the way we said it. If we say it's going to rent for 1200 and we rent it out for 900 Well, we really got a big egg on our face. You do a few of those, and that's how you don't stay in business anymore. And there's, and I like to say, about every five years the market corrects itself into getting the wrong players out of the business. COVID was super easy, easy to find deals, easy to sell deals. But once the market changed and it became a little more competitive and rates rose, that's the people that have been around for the long time, been in it for the long haul, that stick around. They've got the established business model and their reputation. So every five years, a good correction in the market eliminates those bad players. Keith Weinhold 27:47 So you have this vetted, proven in play system that investors can get into besides just identifying the property, it comes with that system, those contractors or that investor just has one point of contact with you there for updates on the renovation. Alex Craig 28:03 Yeah. I mean, I feel like we know these neighborhoods. I like I feel we know these neighborhoods like the back of our hand. We've been investing in them for a decade plus, and we know the areas you want to be in, the areas you don't want to be in. And we have a lot of investors will call us either they already own the property or they're a current client, and they'll say, Hey, I could get this deal for 30,000 and it's worth 100 and I'm like, Well, that sounds too good to be true, especially if it's on the open market. If it was that good of a deal, it's already gone. We just know the market, where to be. We know what to pay. We could, pretty much just through our experience, identify a house we know probably within about five to 10% before we even dive into comparable sales of what it's worth. We could walk through a house within probably about three to five minutes and peg the renovation costs probably within about 10% now we still order an inspection, and that's where we uncover the things that we can't see, that maybe there's a bunch of rotted out joist or a foundation problem that we didn't see. So, but there's things aside we could walk through and we pretty much know, okay, it needs a roof that's 7000 it needs an air conditioner that's six flooring, two. So that's the expertise that we bring and like. So then the management part of it, on the back end, that kind of ties it all together with accountability. Keith Weinhold 29:22 And I know that your typical project renovation cost tends to be about 25k just for simplicity, we use 20k in that example, and your completion times are shorter than others that have inexperienced crews. So tell us about that typical renovation time. Alex. Alex Craig 29:39 every day we're accomplishing 500 so 25,000 divided by 500 comes to 50 days, 50 days. So we'll knock that out in about 50 days. And we just have a large network of subcontractors that we've been working with for years. If you weren't in the business, I think that'd be really hard to accomplish, and there's just a lot that. Goes into it. I mean, the renovating the homes, it's the once, it's the worst, it's the hardest thing that we do. For sure, it's definitely the most scheduling, but it's where, if you don't know what you're doing, a great deal turns into, how do I get out of this? Keith Weinhold 30:15 Right, absolutely. Now, in our example, we used where an investor puts 60k into it for the purchase to start with, because I see the burst strategy is a good strategy. If someone doesn't have a lot of capital, like they would for maybe a new build property, can one even finance that initial purchase amount? Alex Craig 30:35 Yeah, so private lending. So that's the part that makes if you've only got 50 grand to facilitate this entire process, and you want to try to repeat it as many times as you can. 50,000 would not be enough just to pay cash. So yes, we have private lending. We set that up. Sometimes we lend it ourselves. Sometimes we outsource it to some of our strategic partners, but we'll lend the money to buy and renovate the home. A typical what that loan would look like it's about 3.3 points of loan origination. So if you've got an $80,000 loan, that's $2,400 most lenders do require for you to bring that up front, and now you're in it for an $80,000 loan at 12% which, five years ago, that sounded crazy to borrow at 12% but with for private lending, that's not bad at all, especially you want to get in and out of it quickly. So if we're renovating the home, and you know, 50 days, if you're already pre approved with your lender, and they have all your documents by the time we finish renovating the home, the appraisals lined up, and you could be in and out of these private loans in about 90 days. That love that depends on the lending side, that you're giving the lender what they need. But ideally you want to be in these things about 90 to 120 days. So $80,000 loan at 12% that $800 a month. So if you're in it for 90 days, 800 times 320, 700 plus the loan origination fee. But that's how you do it. That's the you're just borrowing money to finance the acquisition, the rehab and the refinance Keith Weinhold 32:03 that is an option for you if you don't have the cash here to come in with these burr strategy properties. Alex, tell us more about it. Really, what I would like to know is, when an investor gets their appraisal, their after repair value, how many want to sell it for a profit, and how many want to hold it with a tenant for long term income Alex Craig 32:26 so far, zero. Want to sell it for a profit. If you're all in it for add and then you're selling for 100 once you sell it, there are other fees involved. You got to hire a realtor. Right now is a great time to hold it's a slow real estate market. I don't think Little Rock from an aspect, is where home ownership is down. I think that's a nationwide thing. So I think if you're going into this, you certainly want to look at it from perspective. This is a buy and hold. I don't think this is the best market to get into to buy something. Flip it with a in the example, we use a $20,000 margin with buyer concessions, realtor commissions. That's a lot of work involved. And let's just say it did work out. You sold it for 100 but you had to pay 2% closing in an agent fee, and you got some holding cost. Let's just say you netted 8000 that might be good for a six month return, but I feel like there's a lot of risk. I feel like our job as what we do for our clients, is to minimize risk. So someone came and said, Hey, I want to flip it. I would say, Well, I don't think it's the best market for it right now. I think you want to get into this buy and hold. Keith Weinhold 33:29 Yes, Alex has been doing this for a long time, and he's a specific expert right there in that local market. Buy and hold is a strategy that most likely makes sense. And he also strongly recommends pay cash if possible, instead of using that 12% short term private lending option, like he mentioned before, because that can cut out about four to 5k worth of transactional cost. And then if you do buy and hold what Alex and his company offer there in Little Rock is essentially a cash flow boost, 0% management fee in year one and only 4% in year two. So that gives you some extra cash flow runway as well. And Alex, before I ask you if you have any last thoughts, I want to announce to you the audience, that we have a live event virtually next week, on July 17, at 8pm eastern for Little Rock BRRRRproperties that Alex is CO hosting with our investment coach, Naresh, where you can find these bird deals in this cash flowing market. In Little Rock you'll see actual bird deals recently completed with full breakdowns of their purchase prices, sort of these case studies, where you can see some real numbers and what the rehab budgets are and what the actual timelines were, and what the refi outcomes were like, and explore BRRRR ready properties that are currently available to own, if you so choose, on this upcoming live event that you can attend from the comfort of your own home. Learn the full process, from acquisition to renovation to property management to the financing of them, and again, everything is all handled by local experts, so that you don't have to live with the nightmare of remotely managing contractors, which I couldn't imagine doing. So whether you're a first time investor or you're scaling your portfolio, this is your chance to get boots on the ground, insight and a proven road map to burr success and really one of the most accessible markets in the country. Again, Alex here is CO hosting the event along with GRE investment coach, Naresh Vissa. It is a free, live virtual event again next week, Thursday, July 17, at 8pm Eastern. Sign up is open now at gre webinars.com it ought to be great. Alex, teaming with local experts like you has been of real benefit to our audience. Do you have any last thoughts about either Little Rock or burrs or the events that you're going to co host with our audience next week? Alex Craig 35:57 So here's my last thought, as you were, you know, kind of concluding and I was reviewing what we had talked about. And one of the questions we get sometimes it's a fair question. It's like, well, if this is such a great deal, why don't you keep all the deals? So we hear that from time to time, and the simple answer is, we do. We do keep a lot of deals, and we're buying more real estate now, like I said, I feel like it's the easiest time to get into real estate. So we do, we do keep a lot. We're building a very large portfolio right now, but the house flipping to investors is just another business model that we have. And Property Management too. And we love property management, and we love building investor relationships. We've had a lot of investors we've had been with us since day one that we've developed really tight relationships with. So yes, we do keep a lot of the properties, and we sell properties too, and we and helps us build our management company, which you don't hear too many people say this, but we actually love property management. That's a hard thing to love, but we actually like it. Keith Weinhold 36:54 That is more weird than Tom wheelwright loving taxes, perhaps, but Right. But I want to deal with somebody that really loves what they're doing, especially when they're protecting our asset and probably more importantly, when it comes to property management, protecting our time. So that's right, Alex, well, our viewers and listeners are really looking forward to it next week, again, that live event Thursday, July 17, at 8pm Eastern is something that you can sign up for now at grewebinars.com. Alex, we're looking forward to it next week. Alex Craig 37:27 Bye, Keith, thank you. Keith Weinhold 37:34 Oh yeah. Terrific overview on why the burr strategy can be so profitable. And our event next week. Now, when you rent your primary residence, which you would typically do in a high cost area, and then you own rental property elsewhere, typically a low cost area, do you know what that's called? Yeah, there is a name for that. Last week we spoke to two listener guests in California that are doing just that. That is called rentvesting. And yes, Little Rock is surely a popular low cost market for rentvesting. I have been on the ground myself in Little Rock with Alex's associate to do an on the ground tour of properties. There you want to tap into a system where you've got the guiding hand of both experience and belief. That's what you're doing here. As like he said, Alex personally owns 75 doors there. That is belief, and he's been doing this for out of area investors for 15 years. That's the experience part real proof of concept at next week's event, you'll be introduced to this same system where you can lean on their team for acquisition, renovation and management. Little Rock has an MSA population of about 770,000 but I think more importantly today, savvy investors are conscientious of keeping their expenses down, and for good reason, since they've been up all over the place. Now, the purchase price is 140 to 160k for these BRRRR optimized single family rentals. Remember that we used 100k just for ease of an example there, usually when you buy income property, you're really in at close to 25% of the purchase price when you add up the down payment and closing costs, but this way, you're in for just about half of that at 10 to 15% another low expense is that property tax, statewide, Arkansas Property Tax is just 610 of 1% so that's half the national average. And then your management expense is definitely going to be low for the first two years, because it is 0% in year one and 4% in year two. And these are properties that you can actually be pretty proud of. You'll learn more about this. Scope of work with a renovation on the webinar, often granite countertops in the kitchen is a live, remote event. So this means that you can have any of your questions answered in real time. Should you have them? As you can imagine, demand is high for these properties, and this is a chance to get connected directly with the team that makes it happen. We might never get Alex on an event like this again, and is co hosted with our GRE investment coach, Naresh. It's next week. It's free, Thursday, July 17, at 8pm Eastern, 5pm Pacific. Sign up now, or your future self might not be able to forgive yourself. You can do that now at grewebinars.com Until next week, I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream. Speaker 3 40:56 Nothing on this show should be considered specific, personal or professional advice. Please consult an appropriate tax, legal real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC, exclusively. Keith Weinhold 41:19 You know, whenever you want the best written real estate and finance info, oh, geez, today's experience limits your free articles access and it's got pay walls and pop ups and push notifications and cookies disclaimers. It's not so great. So then it's vital to place nice, clean, free content into your hands that adds no hype value to your life. That's why this is the golden age of quality newsletters, and I write every word of ours myself. It's got a dash of humor, and it's to the point because even the word abbreviation is too long, my letter usually takes less than three minutes to read, and when you start the letter, you also get my one hour fast real estate video. Course, it's all completely free. It's called the Don't quit your Daydream letter. It wires your mind for wealth, and it couldn't be easier for you to get it right now just text. GRE to 66866, while it's on your mind, take a moment to do it right now. Text, gre to 66866 Keith Weinhold 42:35 The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth, building, getricheducation.com.
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