Reintroduction Post!
Time for a quick reintroduction post! It has been a minute since I have given an update for all the new followers to the account. Here we go. My name is Travis, I am 28 years old, and I am the man…
March Airbnb Financial Update - Ol' Faithful
Time for a long overdue set of Financial Updates for each of my properties! I have been investing in short term rental properties for the past almost year now (along with house hacking) and I have tried to document my journey on my Instagram account. It has been a wild time with everything going on, but it is finally time to put all the numbers out there for everyone and anyone who cares to follow.
Four Ways To Become An Airbnb Superhost
Becoming a superhost helps your Airbnb SEO ranking significantly! Have you been thinking about hosting on Airbnb and want to know how you earn superhost status? I have been an Airbnb Superhost now…
Real Estate Investing Strategy - Ol' Faithful Breakdown
I purchased this property in August of 2019 so a little over 8 months ago. This property was going to be the first ever standalone real estate investment property I would be buying. Was I afraid? Hell yeah I was. Was I nervous that I was making a bad decision? Hell yeah I was. Did I second guess myself? Hell yeah I did. Here is the reality. It was the week of my 27th birthday and I was continuing on down a path to be financially independent through having a high savings rate and investing in the market. Nothing wrong with that. But I was comfortable. I wasn't taking any risks. I was playing things safe and I hadn't yet stepped up and made some big money moves in my life.
Biggest Real Estate Investing Things I Learned - The OG Edition
Real estate investment properties will teach you many things. Through my journey in purchasing 4 real estate investment properties I have learned many things. For each of my real estate investment properties I am going to outline some of the key learnings I had. Every day I continue to get more knowledgeable and get just a little bit better!
Real Estate Investing Strategy - The OG Breakdown
Time to do a full real estate investing strategy breakdown for each of my properties. I started giving a few teasers in my Highlights on instagram , but thought giving a more detailed breakdown on my…
Ol' Faithful HOA Saga - Final Path Forward With HOA Dispute
It has been a wild journey with the Ol' Faithful HOA Saga. I have finally determined the final path forward with the HOA Dispute. This real estate investing journey is fun and continues throwing some interesting curve balls. If something like this would break you down, I would definitely say real estate investing isn't for you. I enjoy going through this process because it is a stepping stone and learning opportunity I am using to become a more experienced real estate investor. This isn't a short term play. This is a long term play to continue learning from all the situations my real estate investing journey takes me.
Reached $1.15 Million In Real Estate!
I just hit a huge milestone in my real estate investing journey of reaching $1.15 Million in real estate properties. What a wild and crazy journey it has been to this point. Things have continued to look more and more interesting in the real estate investing world with the current state of the US and world economies.
How Many Times Do I Have To Repeat The Same Thing - Real Estate Investing Problems
This saga doesn't end! Just when you think I will get the final answer from the HOA and be able to know why they think they have the authority to do what they are doing, I get nothing. No response to…
How Much Clearer Do I Need To Make Myself - Asking The Same Question For The Third Time
I have had zero luck with this HOA to this point. How much clearer do I need to make myself. I have asked the same question for the third time now and they continue to not want to answer the specific question I am asking them. This is not only frustrating, but they are using this tactic to continue buying them time. I am a real estate investor, and have been a real estate investor for the past 3 years. This is the first time in my real estate investing journey that I have had issues with an HOA. I never would have imagined to have these issues with a HOA. But now that they are here, I am definitely taking this as a learning opportunity to continue getting better! What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger if you want it to make you stronger!
The HOA Facebook Group Gets Heated - Time For The Popcorn!
I honestly thought the HOA facebook group wasn't going to have much more fun stuff to post about, but boy was I wrong. The below is a full unedited version of the conversation that spun up the other…
My Response To The HOA Clearly Asking To Rent Long Term
The HOA had their chance to email the homeowners to keep us up to date on all the things going on. Now time for some fun in my response back to them. Sometimes I feel the etiquette I have learned in drafting professional emails in work come out too much in these emails. I would love to deal with these things over the phone or in person, but the HOA and board have yet to want to speak in person or over the phone.
HOA Sent An Email To All Homeowners To Pay Up!
"A further update on our financial planning will be provided in the next few days but in the meantime, thanks to all who have already paid this quarter’s fees and to those who have not yet paid, please do send yours in as soon as possible, so that we can maintain sufficient cashflow levels, not only to protect your resort asset but just as importantly, to keep our resort and its residents, guests and staff, safe and secure through these difficult times."
What I Think Of My HOA - The Unedited Version
My views on HOA's before and after this saga is definitely interesting to look at right now. To give an update on where we are at in the story. I have been told that the Executive Order in place prevents me from renting my home as a traditional short term rental investment property. There are still other avenues that I have yet to explore which I will detail out in tomorrow's post. In the meantime, I wanted to provide some insight into how I view HOA's. Real Estate investing is fun and there is so much that goes into it. Just when you think you have the hang of things, COVID-19 hits and the economy gets flipped on its head.
My Decision On Moving Forward With A Lawyer - To Pay Or Not To Pay, That Is The Question
I haven't decided to pay a lawyer just yet to look further into my case. There are a few different reasons I have not moved forward with the lawyer. Before we get into those, let's take a quick look at where we are at with everything going on. As a real estate investor, dealing with things like this will be a common occurrence. It might not always be a HOA that you have to deal with, but there are always things popping up that will cause issues.
Ready To Pull My Hair Out On This HOA Issue! - But Time For A Political Response
I am ready to pull my hair out on this HOA Issue! But time for a political response. If work has taught me one thing, it is to understand your audience when you are communicating. This is part of the fun of real estate investing. I hope I can help share this story with any, but if there is one thing I hope you learn is that this is apart of real estate investing. This is what I signed up for when I purchased an investment property. Although I want to blow up on the HOA for a few reasons, it is time for a political response to them and see what they come back with. In tonights article, I want to share exactly what I responded to the HOA with.
Time For Legal Advice From A Local Florida Attorney – Will See What Guidance They Provide
It is finally time for legal advice from a local Florida attorney. Late last week, I had the opportunity to have a friend’s wife quickly review the information and provide her interpretation. It is now time to get a local attorney who is very familiar with the Florida law to provide their interpretation and guidance.
The HOA President Responded With The Board Decision - Prime The Popcorn
At this point, I am getting butterflies in my stomach each time a new email comes across. I have never gone through anything like this and the reality is I don't want to have to seek legal action against the HOA. The last thing I want to do is cause any problems or issues. My interpretation of the executive order is that I can rent my home out for more than 30 days. Again, I could be reading the document entirely wrong. I am not a lawyer and I don't plan to become one anytime soon.
Lawyered The S**t Out Of The Final Email To The HOA & Board
I lawyered the s**t out of the final email to the HOA & Board. That is right. The last thing my friends lawyer told me was to send one last email to the HOA & Board. She high level outlined the different things to put in the email and then asked me to send it over to her for final approval. Let me just begin by telling you this. The final email was 100000000000 times better than the original email I put together. This is one of the benefits of knowing someone who has a wife as a lawyer! You can get some free legal council.
Lawyer Time - I Spoke With A Lawyer Over The Weekend, And Here Is What They Said
Here we go. So here is where we currently stand from yesterday. After I finished the conversations with Jose, I decided to go back to my place to do a couple of things. I proceeded to call the guests who were just turned away and apologize again for everything going on.
Security Turned The Guests Away This Morning - I Watched The Whole Thing From Inside The Gates
I texted the guest who was checking in this morning to ask them when they would be arriving. The guest told me they would be arriving around 10:30. Perfect. I brewed my morning cup of coffee from home and started to write an update for you all on the facebook messages that were being sent on the HOA page last night. After two hours of working to put everything together and post it, I was in my car off to my property.
S**t Is Getting Real - I Posted In My HOA Homeowner FB Group And Got People Fired Up
Ok, s**t is getting real! I typically don't get involved with my HOA. I pay my dues every month on time and they don't hear from me. I abide by whatever they have in place. This HOA however, has been insane to deal with. They are the only HOA in the two different resort communities I own in that are causing issues. Issues like not abiding by the law and thinking they are above the law.
Calling HOA To File Lawsuit!?!?! Short Term Rental Update - Ol' Faithful
That's right! Before you start asking questions, let me explain a little bit. I am going to be filing a lawsuit against my HOA at one of my short term rental properties. Here is why. I have been doing some research and talking to a lot of people about the situation I am in with Ol' Faithful. To give a quick update of what is going on with Ol' Faithful, checkout one of my last articles.
3 Thing I Am Doing In My Short Term Rentals To Generate Revenue
It is a very tough time in the economy we are living in today. There are 3 things I am doing in my short term rentals to generate revenue. They are outlined below with each of my properties. These are by no means the only things hosts can be doing during these tough times, but I have found them to be successful for me.
Florida Governor Bans Short Term Rentals In Florida - Actions I Am Taking Now With My Short Term Rentals
The Florida governor bans short term rentals in Florida. This is huge news and one of the first states where the governor has done this! Just received an email from Airbnb because my Airbnb units are all in Orlando!
From $10k Expected Income to $20 - How COVID-19 Is Impacting Short Term Rentals
This month I went from $10k expected income to $20. That is right, this is a massive decrease in revenue. COVID-19 is impacting short term rentals in a very significant way in Florida. The governor recently signed in an executive order to halt all short term rentals less than 30 days for the foreseeable future.
Cops Called To My Airbnb Property!!!
What a wild last guest I had at Ol' Faithful! The cops were called to my Airbnb property and I would have never expected something like this to happen. Having the cops called to my Airbnb property was a great learning experience for me on how to handle the situation. The next time this happens, as I am sure it will happen again at some point, I will take the things I learned from this experience and I will become even better in how I handle it.
What Airbnb Is Doing For Hosts - 4 Actions Airbnb Is Taking To Support Hosts
This evening, the CEO of Airbnb had a live meeting to discuss the 4 actions airbnb is taking to support hosts. There has been a lot of backlash from hosts who are in a very rough spot since the pandemic, and many hosts are going to struggle to pay their mortgage or rent.
Pandemic Airbnb Guest From H E Double Hockey Sticks
Had a large number of responses for this past guest I had stay! 75%!of people said I should not give Kristi a refund. For those who are getting caught up, this is what happened. This guest Kristi booked after Disney and all the parks in Orlando shut down. Her booking was after things continued to spiral out where more and more non essential businesses were shutting down.
February Airbnb Financial Update - Ol' Faithful
A February Airbnb update is long overdue! Time to look at a February Airbnb financial update. I always strive to be completely transparent with all my numbers. This is real financial updates for my Airbnb properties. February will be the last month where my update will only include one property, Ol' Faithful! Ol' Faithful has been a great property as my first Airbnb and so far the numbers have been pretty solid!
March Airbnb Update - How Disney Closing Has Impacted My Airbnb
Wanted to share a quick update on my Airbnb's in the busiest time of the year! Disney announced they would be closing at close of business today for the remainder of the month. Universal followed suit. I purchase Airbnb properties in the Orlando area with my main guests being people who are visiting the area for the parks. A great investment, when the parks are open. Disney closing has had an impact on my short term rental business.
Creating That Wow Factor To Help Your Airbnb Standout
All in all, the labor and materials for this cost $600. I believe this one picture and addition will help add $5-10 per night alone to my booking! From a return on investment standpoint (ROI), that will help generate another $1,368 in income assuming a 75% occupancy rate in one year. This will end up paying back in less than a half year!
Airbnb Superhost Tip - Why Addressing Someone by Their First Name Makes a Difference
Want to know how to make your Airbnb guests feel like they have a connection with you from the beginning? What is the most amazing single word to any human being? Think about it for a minute. There…