All Forum Posts by: Daniel Lehrman

What's your opinion on house hacking with AirBnB? Here's what I've experienced travelling in San Diego and Vancouver. You stay at property that has a guest house. We retrieve the keys from a lockbox, or a hidden location. Other than through the app, we don't communicate or see the owner during our stay. No awkward tension, no missed payments. Sounds pretty awesome for the owner! Also, it seems you could make more money than renting to a tenant. AirBnB's rating and review system eliminates much of the host's risk of encountering an unpleasant guest. Worst case, it's only a few days. Now, I get that it may be more regular maintenance (changing sheets, cleaning bathrooms, etc.) than a traditional rental. Also I'm paying utilities and furnishing. There also might be more vacancies. But I like the idea of being a host! (rather than a landlord) Ignoring restrictive laws and HOAs, what is your opinion on house hacking with AirBnb? Love to hear from someone that's doing it!

What's your opinion on house hacking with AirBnB? Here's the general idea of what I've experienced as a guest in San Diego and Vancouver. You stay at property that has a guest house. We retrieve the keys from a lockbox, or a hidden location. Other than through the app, we don't communicate or see the owner during our stay. No awkward tension, no missed payments. Sounds pretty awesome for the owner! Also, it seems you could make more money than renting to a tenant. AirBnB's rating system eliminates much of the host's risk of dealing with an unpleasant or unreliable tenant. Worst case, if the guest is unpleasant, it's only for a few days. Now, I get that it may be more regular maintenance (changing sheets, cleaning bathrooms, etc.) than a traditional rental. Also I'm paying utilities. There also might be more vacancies. But I like the idea of being a host! (rather than a landlord) Laws are different in various areas, and HOAs can be restrictive, but ignoring that, what is your opinion on house hacking this way?

Hello friends, It's been awhile since my last BP post. In fact, this is my first post since my newbie introduction several months ago! I'm currently finishing up my real estate license here in Scottsdale, AZ, and am looking for real estate brokers in the Phoenix area where I can hang my license. Is there anybody that works for a broker in Phoenix that they enjoy working for? Any brokers that are looking to take on an agent? Anyone looking for an agent to join their team? Brokers that specialize in investment real estate would be a plus. Thanks!

Thanks everyone for your input so far!

I will definitely try to get creative with my education whether it be through BP, AZREIA, or Meetup.  I definitely agree that working part-time as an agent would be difficult (dare I say impossible?), but my whole thought process was becoming an agent first so that it would be a low-risk/high reward way to get my feet wet.  It's only about $1,000 to get started.  My definition of 'success' is very conservative:  If I break even cost-wise from one or two deals next year, I would consider it a success.  But I know that even one deal would be difficult considering I've never even purchased my own home yet.  In my mind, worst scenario, I fail to close a single deal and essentially earn a $1,000 education that may help me buy my first home someday.  I am somewhat confident that if I persevere  diligently in 2017 and get lucky with a good mentor, I can find one deal to cover my costs.  

What do you think?

Hi everybody!

My name is Daniel Lehrman, and I'm a complete newbie when it comes to anything real estate related.   I am currently employed as a salaried financial advisor at a large company, but like many others in the corporate world, I am increasingly attracted to the idea of leaving the cubicle lifestyle, getting into the world of real estate, and achieving the American Dream, which to me entails traveling the world while I generate passive income from my rental properties.  Sounds simple!

I've done enough research (which is not that much) to know that 'simple' doesn't equal 'easy'. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, right?  Let me tell you a little bit about my goals, and the strategy I'm using to achieve them.  I of course welcome your feedback--that's the whole purpose of me posting this.  I quite frankly need your help.  Without your guidance, I am doomed to fail.  

My short-term goal is to become a real estate agent in the Phoenix area.  I'm not prepared to take on the risk of an investment property (I've never even bought ANY property EVER), so logically, my thought is to become a part-time real estate agent in order to dip my toes in the water, gain real world experience, and learn some valuable skills that may eventually lead me towards an investment property.  I want to make sure that number one, real estate is something that I am passionate about, and number two, I am adequately knowledgeable to compete in this industry.

Here are my burning questions:

1.) I've lived in Phoenix for only 2 years.  I don't know the market--at all.  What is the best/quickest way to identify the ins and outs of various neighborhoods, pricing, trends, etc.?  I know there is Zillow, but what am I supposed to be looking for? 

2.)  How can I find a mentor before I even get the real estate license?  Where can I find places to volunteer to learn and ask questions?  Are there mentors on this site that I can be paired with?  :D

I really appreciate you reading this!!!  Any response will be appreciated :)

-Daniel