All Forum Posts by: J. Martin
J. Martin has started 178 posts and replied 3656 times.
Post: Anyone else built passive income from Vacation Rentals?

- Rental Property Investor
- Oakland, CA
- Posts 3,834
- Votes 2,925
Originally posted by @David Faulkner:
Originally posted by @Laine Furukawa:
I'll be converting and managing my grandma's house in Palolo Valley (Oahu, HI) into an Airbnb. I believe the location has a lot of potential in that it is close to Waikiki and maybe even more important, in close proximity to University of Hawaii. I say this because in Hawaii you cannot have a Short-term VR without a non-conforming use certificate, which hasn't been issued since the late 80's (bogus politics in part of the big hotel lobbyists). That being said, there is a way around this (sorta)...you can legally run an Airbnb as long as it's 30 days or longer at which point it wouldn't be considered a short-term rental. This would bring me back to why UofH would possibly be of greater importance in that working professionals or professors w/ longer tenures would be more likely to fulfill the 30days as opposed to the 1 weeker tourist from Waikiki. I know..sucks, right? One would think that, but I've been managing AirBnB's in Santa Monica, CA which mind you has the same regulation and it hasn't stopped occupancy from happening! On the contrary, because of the stays being 1 month or even in a very special case 1 year long, the work load is decreased due to far less turn over. In this "long-term" situation it's not uncommon for guests to stay 2-3 months at a time and this is all at a short-term rate (potentially double what you'd get in an annual lease type agreement).
I've tried to evaluate why these units in Santa Monica have been working so well amidst the regulations and I came up with this:
1. SFH w/ backyards.
Families love it and finding one in Santa Monica is increasingly becoming harder to find. As an owner it's also a plus not to have to deal with HOA's or temperamental neighbors.
2. Location.
This is obvious and possibly one of the more important factors. Santa Monica beach/ pier attracts millions of visitors every year, but it's not just a tourist destination. It's a place thriving with fresh up and coming businesses, schools (SMC, UCLA) and hospitals (Ronald Reagan, St Johns, etc). Let's not get it twisted though, the beach is in walking distance so that helps too, ha!
3. Type of demographic due to location
I've had a stage crew company, parents visiting kids going to UCLA, a group of engineers for a tech company, an investor on business who brought his family along. Working professionals and families of business men / women. These are the type of ppl that need a place to stay a month or longer and don't want to cough up more @ a hotel.
Btw, if ever staying a month in Santa Monica always book 31 days as you will get charged what is called a TOT or transient occupancy tax, which is a whopping 14% in SM! Yes, you would literally pay 14% more just for booking 30 days instead of 31. I love how a difference of a day defines a person as a transient. Good stuff.
In the end, I'm all for Airbnb and the VR niche! I've seen massive gains even despite the heavier upfront costs and the increased involvement if self-managing. I would gladly take this on than be confined to a 9-5 (that's just me, of course).
🙏🏽🤙🏽
Laine
Good call on the 31 days ... I've heard similar about less work and same income ... more targeted towards corporate housing than vacation rentals. Similar strategy to what @J. Martin is doing in Oakland.
I like the "long short" stay, as @Al Williamson calls it. But not quite passive. You either have to respond to inquiries yourself, or outsource it to someone.
@Chris Potter hit the nail on the head.
It still takes some active management.. Better traveling the world than sitting in an office though! :)
Post: San Francisco Bay Summit - Oct 7 & 8, 2017 - Join the Reunion!

- Rental Property Investor
- Oakland, CA
- Posts 3,834
- Votes 2,925
@Ben Leybovich,
Yes! Can't believe it's that time again! I touched base with your twin @Brandon Turner yesterday, but don't think he'll be able to make it. But your buddy @Brian Burke will be out to say hi :) Can you make it out?
@Jen L.,
Ya, finally got Bruce Norris too! Been a couple years in the making.. what speaker(s) do you most want to meet from BP?
@Jason Hsiao,
Yes, my organizer just told me. Thanks so much for volunteering to help out! And glad you're excited about the event! We'll be in touch soon, and appreciate it a lot!
@Jimmy Ho,
We have your ticket for the weekend confirmed. Who did you most want to meet at the event? What are your goals?
Post: San Francisco Bay Summit - Oct 7 & 8, 2017 - Join the Reunion!

- Rental Property Investor
- Oakland, CA
- Posts 3,834
- Votes 2,925
Originally posted by @Linda Weygant:
Originally posted by @Meghan McCallum:
@John Casmon Yes!!!! Want to come to the meet up I want to set up in NOLA for my birthday July 12th? Also, if Brie will have us, diving w great whites is my JAM!
If there's a dive trip involved, I'm in!
Linda, Meghan, and John,
Which speakers do you most want to meet?
**SCUBA DIVING**
"If you're going to be in Northern California, San Francisco Bay area or Monterey, there is excellent diving available"
Lots of info here>
http://diver.net/seahunt/info/sfinfo.htm
Here are the Farallon Islands great white shark diving info:
http://www.greatwhiteadventures.com/farallones.htm...
Write off your flights and lodging and come out and enjoy!
It's the best weather in Oct here :)
Post: Unemployment Analysis & Charts - SF Bay Area & US - Any better?

- Rental Property Investor
- Oakland, CA
- Posts 3,834
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Another year and a half along, many major cities and states are reaching or have already reached record low unemployment rates, including the dot com boom and pre-crisis numbers..
Post: SF Bay Area Economic & RE Update (Ongoing)

- Rental Property Investor
- Oakland, CA
- Posts 3,834
- Votes 2,925
*UNEMPLOYMENT RATE UPDATE*
As we lumber through the "4th"/last quadrant of investing in the latter expansionary phase of this economic cycle, I organized some unemployment rate data for some large cities and states in the US to see where they are in the employment cycle, relative to history.
Most of these cities and states are at or near their record low unemployment rate, and we typically see a recession within 1-2 years of hitting these levels (albeit, the start of the recession is not identified until around 6 months later..)
TEXAS
The state of Texas looks like it is already in a recession, based on the increase in the unemployment rate relative to the last 5 economic cyles, over the last 40 years. Given, there are different stories in Houston vs Austin.
CALIFORNIA
California has historically had a recession relatively shortly (1-2 years) after the unemployment rate hits or crosses below 5%, consistent for the last 3 recessions going back to the 1980's. There was a recession after 6% unemployment the time before that. Currently at 4.8% as of Apr 2017.
NEW YORK
New York state shows the same thing as New York, except they get as low as almost 4% in each economic cycle, before reverting into a recession.
Los Angeles County unemployment rate is already better than the last 3 economic peaks, including just before the financial crisis, and the dot com boom. Clock's probably ticking a little faster there..
Post: San Francisco Bay Summit - Oct 7 & 8, 2017 - Join the Reunion!

- Rental Property Investor
- Oakland, CA
- Posts 3,834
- Votes 2,925
I don't recommend it, but I filled in the gaps with credit cards when I had low reserves. I'm sure there were others who were more responsible and saved it up ;)
@Meghan McCallum,
That would be great if you all can make it out from Chicago! I think I'm going to join @Brie Schmidt for the Great White diving :) We'll also have a happy hour on Friday night if you make it in early! @John Casmon, come join us! It's a kick-*** time :)
@Stephanie Long, you're going to make it out again, right?
@Lynn Currie, stoked you can make it out again from Austin! Looking forward to seeing you :)
@Udaya P., we probably won't have a firm agenda for another month or so. For now..
CONFIRMED SPEAKERS
J Scott, Amanda Han, Will Barnard, Brie Schmidt, Dave Van Horn, Brian Burke, Bill Exeter, and a couple folks from outside BP... Bruce Norris and founder of Property Radar, Sean O'Toole.
There will be solo speaking sessions, panel discussions, and break-out groups.
Sat & Sun, Oct 7 & 8, about 8:30AM to 5:30PM.
Because we don't have the full agenda together right now (because we will be adding more speakers), the tickets are at their cheapest super-early-bird pricing, and will go up in the future..
Hope you can make it out! We had a great time last year!
@James Thiel, coming back to chat with @Arlen Chou and the rest of the group?
Post: Adding a pre-fab studio

- Rental Property Investor
- Oakland, CA
- Posts 3,834
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To clarify what @Robert Marston said regarding ADU's - these are an excellent tool - but you are not necessarily bound by the regulations regarding ADU's, since you said your property is zoned for two residences. The ADU law is designed for single family homes, to give them an option for a second unit, even when not zoned for 2 units.
Along that note, how big is your lot and how much room do you have, beyond the existing footprint of the concrete back there? Because construction costs per square foot drop a lot as the structure gets bigger, you should get better equity out of the build, and higher rents, if you build bigger. You may find it's cheaper per square foot for a bigger structure, even after pouring a new pad.. But you'd have to see.
From what I understand, the savings from pre-fab in the SF Bay (from the people I've spoke with) are generally associated with time to build, and holding costs. This probably matters less for a smaller structure like yours (if it takes 6 extra months to build a full house, that's a lot different).
I like @Michaela G.'s suggestion of an RV for a quick and inexpensive solution to test out. Or a tiny home. But you'd have to do some research on legality if you're concerned about that.
I like the container home idea, but have fun with the city! Earthquakes shouldn't be a significant issue for such a small structure, built correctly, anyway.
See you in a couple Sundays!
Post: contract for deed on a condo for airbnb

- Rental Property Investor
- Oakland, CA
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First of all, check the HOA rules.
Most condos won't allow rentals under 30 days, and some have other restrictions.
The contract for deed is a different issue, but be careful if you're counting on the airbnb income..
Good luck!
Post: San Francisco Bay Summit - Oct 7 & 8, 2017 - Join the Reunion!

- Rental Property Investor
- Oakland, CA
- Posts 3,834
- Votes 2,925
Do you already have a specific plan, and just need to execute?
Or need to figure out what the plan is?
One great aspect of the Summit is hearing from investors with so many different approaches to real estate - from flipping, to short term rentals, note investing, new construction, out of state investing, etc... and then listening to how people got started and what they think the most important aspects are to getting started. It provides a great perspective.
I've also met a lot of people to bounce ideas off of, and ultimately mentors and friends at these events. Looking forward to you doing the same!
Glad you enjoyed the pics :) I'll publicize them better this year..
Bruce Norris will be out this year! I'm so stoked!!
I've wanted to have him out since the first year I put on this event in 2014. I can hardly believe it!
He'll be there to talk about what he's thinking for the future now, and answer your questions :)
Glad you can make it this year! @Janet Voss had to fly back from Burning Man last year, so investors are pulling out all the stops to come and enjoy this awesome group of speakers and real estate folks to network with :)
@Lynn Currie, you're going to make it out, right?
***Oakland Meetup***
@Katie
@Katie P.undefined also organized a free Oakland Real Estate meetup on Sunday, 6/25, if anyone can make it out!
I can't believe it's coming up already again too! And glad the folks that came out last year enjoyed it so much :) Nice seeing you on my trip to Seattle, and I'll see you, @Elizabeth Colegrove, and @Stan K. back up there this summer. Bring another crew down from Redmond, Bellevue, Kirkland, and the rest!
www.SFBaySummit.com for more info
Post: I'm the new guy from the Bay Area

- Rental Property Investor
- Oakland, CA
- Posts 3,834
- Votes 2,925
I wish I would have started networking earlier!! Especially in person.
BP is an awesome resource, as are a lot of the local investors on the site.
I own some property in the East Bay and some other operations in Silicon Valley.
And know a lot of local investors here in the Bay.. Awesome people!
You should try to come out on Sunday, June 25 to the meetup @Katie P. organized, and meet some folks.
There will also be a bunch of us meeting up in October for a big Summit if you're available the first weekend.
Welcome to the site, and hope to meet you in person soon!