Have you bought an "Airbnb Business?"

[Katie Fiola Jones]

Hi everyone, 

I am considering the purchase of an Airbnb property. The seller is offering the property fully furnished and with the Airbnb business. It has only been operated as an Airbnb since December.  

I just wanted to see if there are others out there who have purchased Airbnbs and continued to run them as an Airbnb business. How does that work? Would you recommend it? 

Also, another layer to this - I haven't run an Airbnb business before - and the property is also out of state. 

I was also considering using it for traveling nurses or something along those lines. 

[Ethan Cooke]

@Katie Fiola Jones - I run a furnished rental business in the SF Bay Area. I don’t own any of the properties, and I get good cash flow from them.

What is your main goal in owning an AirBNB property? Given the opportunity you have, it sounds like a passive cash flow play. If you know the local RE market and the local AirBNB market very well and the price is right, then buying a property might make sense. But if not, I recommend that you start by renting a property, furnishing it and subletting it as a furnished rental. This will give you experience with the business and operational aspects of running an AirBNB property. You’ll learn what it takes to make money in a particular market, and your financial risk will be very low compared to buying a property.

Good luck!