Updated 3 months ago on .
From Clueless to Airbnb Host: My First Vacation Rental Journey
Investment Info:
Single-family residence other investment.
Purchase price: $80,000
Cash invested: $30,000
Five years ago, I blindly jumped into real estate with no experience—just a gut feeling and a bold offer on a vacation home. I had no plan, no background in investing, and made plenty of mistakes along the way.
But here I am, three years later—my property is officially listed on Airbnb! It doesn’t generate extra profit (yet), but it fully covers the mortgage and some other expenses.
What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?
Always drawn to real estate, I took a leap of faith—put my fears in the back seat, and buckled up for the rid.e
How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?
I found the listing online, and the whole process was done virtually.
How did you finance this deal?
I took a loan from the bank and paid the closing costs myself with some savings.
How did you add value to the deal?
Over the past few years, I’ve invested a lot of love and sweat into improving the house, encompassing minor repairs, some remodeling, and a few weekend DIY projects. It’s come a long way and now feels like the perfect little vacation spot. Cozy, comfortable, and welcoming for guests looking to unwind.
What was the outcome?
This journey has been full of learning, trial and error, and growth. I'm still a newbie in many ways, but I'm proud of how far I’ve come.
Happy to connect with others who took a leap and learned as they went—what lessons have you learned from your first investment?
Lessons learned? Challenges?
One big lesson I’ve learned is that patience is key—rushing leads to mistakes. Also, keeping things simple goes a long way. Minimal touches can make a big impact.
Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?
Only the agent who helped with the sale.