First investment property before personal home?

Question

My husband and I potentially found an AirBnb opportunity. Is it smart to buy an Air BnB before buying a house and stay renting an apartment? Any benefits to doing so or is it smarter to start in a house to have a monthly payment going towards equity?

Thanks in advance!

Kyle Wheeler · Answer

STR Operator & Property Manager | St. Petersburg, FL

Great question, Alli—this is actually becoming more common with younger investors who want to get ahead and stay flexible.

Here’s how I usually break it down when clients ask this:

Buying a Primary Residence First

Pros:

• Usually easier financing (lower down payment + better rates)
• Builds personal equity and stability
• No short-term rental headaches

Usually easier financing (lower down payment + better rates)

Builds personal equity and stability

No short-term rental headaches

Cons:

• Your home doesn’t produce income
• Limits flexibility if you want to relocate or pivot quickly
• Can slow down your investing goals if it eats up most of your loan eligibility

Your home doesn’t produce income

Limits flexibility if you want to relocate or pivot quickly

Can slow down your investing goals if it eats up most of your loan eligibility

Buying an Airbnb First

Pros:

• Property pays for itself (if it cash flows)
• Can accelerate your investing journey
• You’re still building equity—just in a business asset
• You can potentially use it yourself in the off-season (lifestyle + ROI)

Property pays for itself (if it cash flows)

Can accelerate your investing journey

You’re still building equity—just in a business asset

You can potentially use it yourself in the off-season (lifestyle + ROI)

Cons:

• More complex financing (may require 15–25% down)
• Short-term rental regulations vary—do your homework
• Requires solid property management, even if you self-manage

More complex financing (may require 15–25% down)

Short-term rental regulations vary—do your homework

Requires solid property management, even if you self-manage

What I’d Recommend:

If the Airbnb deal is in a legal STR zone, looks like it’ll cash flow after all expenses, and you’re okay renting your personal place for a while longer—it can actually be a smarter financial move to start with the Airbnb.

That said, run the numbers carefully (AirDNA is great), and make sure you're not buying something that feels like an investment but doesn’t truly perform.

I’ve helped others in this exact position weigh both sides—feel free to reach out if you want help stress-testing the numbers or checking on local STR laws in your market.

You’re asking the right questions early. That’s huge.

Stephen Nelson · Answer

I am not someone (ironically) who thinks your only investing should be in "real estate" or that people should automatically own a home. (I mention that to provide context.)

That said, I think as a real estate investment, home ownership provides three really unique tax benefits as compared to other investment options like rental properties, equity index funds, etc.

1. Your mortgage interest and property taxes are probably tax deductions. (In comparison, investors buying rental properties often don't get to deduct or immediately deduct these expenses.)

2. Your imputed rental income--what you save by owning rather than renting in other words--is tax free.

3. If the property appreciates and the property is your principal residence, the first $250K of capital gain if you're single and the first $500K if you're married can probably be tax free.

The other thing to mention which isn't really a tax thing but a property management thing: You'll be far better tenants than any stranger you guys rent to.

Joey Banasihan · Answer

Hey @Alli Stencil - Good question — the right move really depends on your financial situation, credit, and long-term goals. Buying an Airbnb before a primary residence can work, especially if the numbers pencil out and it cash flows well. But it’s not always the smoothest path for first-time buyers.One thing to keep in mind: qualifying with rental income from an Airbnb can be tricky, especially if it's your first property. Lenders usually want to see a history of income or may only count a portion of it — and whether you're managing it actively or passively can affect how that income is treated for loan qualification and taxes. If you're self-managing and materially involved, it opens doors for tax benefits like depreciation and potentially Real Estate Professional Status. But if it's more passive, those benefits may be limited.I’d definitely talk with a lender who understands investment strategies — I just helped a client who bought their primary home first, which made it easier to qualify for their investment purchase later. The structure and sequencing matter more than most people realize. You got this!

Andrew Steffens · Answer

I have clients that live in high rise rentals in NYC and own 5 properties as rentals in Florida.  I have clients that own their homes in X state and keep a place in FL.  This question is quite personal.  For the STR you will likely need 20% down payment, but for primary residences they have as low as 3% down payments.  Is it possible to do both for you?