First AIRBNB about to launch!

Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions
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First AIRBNB about to launch!

Account Closed
Los Angeles CA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 34 votes

Hey all! 

I've made a couple posts about this previously, from the time the idea had struck in my mind, to now here we are about to go live.

This also could apply to military investing, however just chose to share a bit here, maybe it'll spark an idea for someone else.

In Feb 2020 I bought my first house with the intentions to simply be my primary residence utilizing the VA loan. However, as I learned more via BP and wanted to get into REI so badly, I decided I would try this STR thing out, I really love the idea of vacation rentals.

I was recently in Iraq, and while deployed was able to find another home to move into closer to the base I work at, utilized the VA loan for it as well, and am currently househacking in it. The original property, the cabin for reference, will be going live within the week via all booking websites. It is a 2000 sq ft 3/2 log cabin on 24 acres with access to a prominent lake for my area. I am very excited about this and finally getting into REI.

Here's to getting started for real, after over a year of educating.

To those who want to start but are nervous, you'll run into issues, won't lie about that... however, boy is it a great feeling finally beginning something you know you have wanted to for so long. Do it.

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Matthew Collins
Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 7 votes
5y

Congratulations and thank you for your service @Account Closed!

I purchased my first STR last year and couldn't be more happy with it! It's a cabin as well and I have it listed on my profile if you'd like to view it. Not sure what your strategy is, as I know you are a busy person, but if you have the availability and/or family to help you manage it I would recommend managing it yourself versus hiring a big property management company to manage it, although I'm already sure you know those benefits. I'm not sure what market you're in, but feel free to reach out if you want to discuss strategies, PMS, or any other STR questions you may have.

Best of luck! 

-Matt

4Reply
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  • Dustin Allen
    Real Estate Agent · South Lake Tahoe, CA · Member since 2016 · 680 posts · 644 votes
    5y

    @Account Closed

    Congratulations and thank you for your service!

    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    Los Angeles CA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 34 votes
    5y

    @Dustin Allen

    Thank you!

    2Reply
  • Jonathan StonePro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Camas, WA · Member since 2020 · 284 posts · 202 votes
    5y

    Nice work!  Let us know how it goes.

    1Reply
  • Matthew Collins
    Atlanta, GA · Member since 2016 · 3 posts · 7 votes
    5y

    Congratulations and thank you for your service @Account Closed!

    I purchased my first STR last year and couldn't be more happy with it! It's a cabin as well and I have it listed on my profile if you'd like to view it. Not sure what your strategy is, as I know you are a busy person, but if you have the availability and/or family to help you manage it I would recommend managing it yourself versus hiring a big property management company to manage it, although I'm already sure you know those benefits. I'm not sure what market you're in, but feel free to reach out if you want to discuss strategies, PMS, or any other STR questions you may have.

    Best of luck! 

    -Matt

    4Reply
  • Account Closed
    Real Estate Consultant · Franklin, IN · Member since 2012 · 80 posts · 71 votes
    5y

    Congrats! The first week or two are crucial to a listing. Airbnb will be throwing extra traffic your way to test your listing. You seem like the type to already have all your ducks in a row though, so I'm sure it'll crush.

    2Reply
  • Daniel Denning
    Investor · Atlanta GA, USA · Member since 2018 · 118 posts · 90 votes
    5y

    @Alec Newman congratulations, and as others have said, thank you for your time serving this country!

    Where is your cabin located? I would love to hear more if you wouldn't mind sending me a PM, as I am a co-host and am trying to invest in a cabin STR market. It'd be great to pick your brain!

    1Reply
  • Gururaj Iyer
    Edison, NJ · Member since 2017 · 115 posts · 34 votes
    5y

    Congratulations & all the best ! Thank you for service ! There is a lot of experience in these forums with STR ! I started mine 3 years ago !

    1Reply
  • Nicole Falvey
    Boston, MA · Member since 2021 · 5 posts · 1 vote
    5y

    Congratulations! I can't wait to hear how it all goes. And thank you for your service!

    1Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    Los Angeles CA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 34 votes
    5y

    @Jonathan Stone

    Thank you ! Will do !

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    Los Angeles CA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 34 votes
    5y

    @Matthew Collins

    Thank you !

    That’s awesome, I actually Will be PMing you !

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    Los Angeles CA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 34 votes
    5y

    @Jacob Murphy

    Thank you ! That’s a good thing to note and I’m super excited and ready for it ! Need those big reviews haha.

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    Los Angeles CA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 34 votes
    5y

    @Gururaj Iyer

    Thank you ! Sure is , I love this community !

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    Los Angeles CA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 34 votes
    5y

    @Nicole Falvey

    Thanks a ton !

    0Reply
  • Account Closed
    OP
    Los Angeles CA · Member since 2020 · 51 posts · 34 votes
    5y

    @Daniel Denning

    Thank you ! And sure I’ll shoot you a PM!

    0Reply
  • Jonathan DempseyBusiness Member
    Rental Property Investor · Pocono Pines, PA · Member since 2018 · 153 posts · 117 votes
    5y

    Congrats and thanks for your service!

    The best part of short term rental is seeing the vision and design come to life! And I suppose cashflow is pretty cool too. So excited for you to be getting started.

    If you want to bounce ideas off each other, would be happy to chat! I operate over 100 units in 4 different cities, and am exploring the Poconos / Cabin market as we speak.

    Cheer and best of luck on your launch! Be sure to share your listing with us!

    1Reply
  • Ross Thomas
    Rental Property Investor · Nashville, TN · Member since 2021 · 10 posts · 6 votes
    5y

    @Account Closed Congratulations!! I am so intrigued by STR investments and my goal is to purchase one (or two) by the end of this year. I purchased my first property in 2017 and just went under contract to sell with closing date set for July 31st. Now im at the point where im ready to take a risk and really try to scale this thing. Been researching markets and potential out of state STR opportunities for the last couple months now, and would love to hear more about the education and resources you used to find your AirBnb. Best of luck with your new place!

    1Reply
  • Gilbert C Requejo
    Member since 2019 · 8 posts · 4 votes
    5y

    @Gururaj Iyer does STR stand for short term rentals? and what is PMS?

    Thank you

    0Reply
  • Ghali Lazrak
    Rental Property Investor · Miami, FL · Member since 2021 · 11 posts · 6 votes
    5y

    @Alec Newman Congrats!! That’s a great idea I’m sure you will make way more than regular rent. I tried it out with my own apartment 3 years ago and then scaled an arbitrage business to 26 properties and purchased 3 as well. It’s honestly life changing!

    1Reply
  • Pedro Andres Alorda Munoz
    Rental Property Investor · Kissimmee, FL · Member since 2021 · 1 post · 1 vote
    5y

    @Alec Newman congrats! I am so exited to start my STR too, good luck with your launch 🏡

    1Reply
  • William Beck
    Realtor · Branson, MO · Member since 2018 · 272 posts · 283 votes
    5y

    Hey @Account Closed Glad you pulled the trigger and went for it!

    I'm sure this will be first of many. Let me know if you want to catch up again some time. 

    1Reply
  • Jaquetta T Ragland
    Real Estate Agent · Winston Salem, NC · Member since 2014 · 486 posts · 303 votes
    5y

    @Alec Newman congratulations...wishing you many bookings!

    1Reply
  • Tim Hall
    Flipper/Rehabber · Tallahassee, FL · Member since 2014 · 462 posts · 237 votes
    5y

    @Alec Newman hey man, nice one and well done.

    Here’s a couple of things about air bnb that I wish someone had told me.

    To get the most out of your listing you have to be active. Just like a website has to be current so does your listing. This means updating it regularly, updating content and pictures. Also changing the calendar regularly so you get put back on the top of the list. It doesn’t take that long, maybe 15 minutes a day but it’s worth every penny.

    Rating and reviews are everything in this business but there are people that will try and take advantage of that, so expect it. Have policies in place and try not to get emotional. It’ll serve you best in the long run.

    Make sure you have your key players,

    cleaner/ restock person they will make or break your business

    Maintenance person, things will break and they will need to be available.

    Sounds like a great place and best of luck to ya. Thanks for serving, I appreciate it.

    3Reply
  • Ashish AcharyaBusiness Member
    CPA, CFP®, PFS · FL · Member since 2017 · 5k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Account Closed:

    Hey all! 

    I've made a couple posts about this previously, from the time the idea had struck in my mind, to now here we are about to go live.

    This also could apply to military investing, however just chose to share a bit here, maybe it'll spark an idea for someone else.

    In Feb 2020 I bought my first house with the intentions to simply be my primary residence utilizing the VA loan. However, as I learned more via BP and wanted to get into REI so badly, I decided I would try this STR thing out, I really love the idea of vacation rentals.

    I was recently in Iraq, and while deployed was able to find another home to move into closer to the base I work at, utilized the VA loan for it as well, and am currently househacking in it. The original property, the cabin for reference, will be going live within the week via all booking websites. It is a 2000 sq ft 3/2 log cabin on 24 acres with access to a prominent lake for my area. I am very excited about this and finally getting into REI.

    Here's to getting started for real, after over a year of educating.

    To those who want to start but are nervous, you'll run into issues, won't lie about that... however, boy is it a great feeling finally beginning something you know you have wanted to for so long. Do it.

     Congrats. Remember, STRs are not passive like rentals and can directly offset your other income (W-2 and such) if structured correctly. 

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    1Reply
  • Hal Wilkerson
    Rental Property Investor · Oahu Hawaii · Member since 2021 · 21 posts · 29 votes
    5y

    @Alec Newman congrats!

    1Reply
  • Hal Wilkerson
    Rental Property Investor · Oahu Hawaii · Member since 2021 · 21 posts · 29 votes
    5y

    @Gilbert C Requejo yes STR = Short Term Rentals and PM = Property Manager. Welcome to the forums!

    0Reply
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