Launch Edition: Inspirations for Real Estate Journey & Rookie Mistakes to Avoid

A Heartfelt Welcome! 🎉

Thank you for joining me on this exciting journey! This blog is all about sharing my experiences, lessons, and tips as a Short-Term Rental (STR) investor, consultant, and Airbnb SuperHost 😊.

At the heart of what I do is a passion for helping others use STR investing to maximize tax savings and create sustainable revenue streams, all while offering the freedom to design the life they want. I’ve made my share of rookie mistakes, and I’m committed to helping fellow investors avoid those same pitfalls.

After all, life is short, and the vacations ✈️🌴🍹 we share with loved ones are true treasures. I’m grateful to be building our family business, helping others create unforgettable vacation memories and financial freedom along the way.

I’d love your feedback! Let me know what topics or tips you’d like to see more of in future editions.

How Our Real Estate Journey Began… 🏡

Like many Americans, we spent our early years juggling full-time jobs and raising kids. We didn’t know what to do with our savings beyond stuffing them into our 401(k). So, we hired a financial advisor to manage our investments.

During our first meeting, we asked about real estate investments. The advisor shot down the idea lightning fast. In hindsight, I realized he had a vested interest in keeping our money in mutual funds—hello, 1% commission!

Years later, I discovered the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. The light bulb went off! 💡 I learned about the power of real estate and tax benefits.Turns out, our CPAs were just tax preparers, not advisors. If only I’d read that book twenty years ago—we’d be real estate moguls by now! If you haven’t read it yet, you should definitely check it out. Your future self, children, and grandchildren will thank you! 🙌

Learn more about Short Term Rental investing!

Our Accidental Short-Term Rental Adventure 🌊

Owning a waterfront property was my dream. So, when Willam (my husband) and I bought a lake house in Wisconsin—just over two hours from home—I fell in love with the views.

We jumped in without a lot of research, and the house needed a complete makeover. Renovations took longer than expected—thanks, Covid and inflation! William painted while I decorated the house with my own art and DIY projects. 🎨

Here are some highlights of the makeover:

Our hard work turned the unattractive home into a beauty we're proud of! Unfortunately, we didn’t use it as much as we’d hoped due to our kids’ busy schedules, so we decided to rent it out on Airbnb when we weren’t there to cover our maintenance expenses. As the bookings and 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 reviews rolled in, I discovered my passion for hospitality, turning it into a family business. ❤️

Rookie Mistakes (We’ve All Been There!) 🙈

Our first short-term rental was a success, which gave us the confidence to expand. Now, as an experienced investor, I wish I’d considered these key factors when purchasing our lakefront property:

• Lake Water Quality: Lake Winnebago is more of a "boat but don’t swim" kind of lake. 🌊
• Water Depth: Our backyard is too shallow for larger boats, meaning we had to decline many inquiries 🚤. Always check if the property accommodates guest activities!
• Seasonality: Wisconsin winters are no joke. While our lake house shines in summer, the off-season was extremely quiet. ❄️ If you're investing, aim for properties that can generate year-round revenue.
• Property Maintenance: Homes left idle in the winter can be tough to maintain. Whether your STR makes $50K or $200K annually, the management workload remains similar. Smart investors should seek properties that justify the time spent on upkeep with consistent earnings.
• Take Emotions Out of the Business: After generating great revenue, receiving over 50 5-star reviews, and creating wonderful memories, we decided it was time to sell the lakefront property and reinvest our equity into a higher-performing market. 📈 We successfully closed its sale at an excellent price in early September and are now preparing to launch our newest short-term rental in Maine. Remember, it's okay to detach emotionally and treat your property like the business it is!

Thanks for reading! I’m excited to share more stories and insights in future posts. What topics or advice would you like to see more of? Your input will help me create even more helpful content.

If you know anyone looking for ways to build generational wealth outside of stocks and mutual funds, please share this newsletter with them 📈🌟.

We’ve personally benefited from significant tax savings through short-term rentals. If you’re curious about how this strategy could work for you, let’s chat! 💬

Cheers! 🥂

→ More Practical Tips:

Success Story Case Study: How a CEO Significantly Reduced His Tax Burden with a Short-Term Rental

Pro Tip: Short Term Rental Loophole and Material Participation Explained In Simple Terms

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🏡 At Savvy Breezy Vacation Rentals, we help short-term rental owners maximize revenue, save time, and enhance guest experiences. Interested in saving on taxes while boosting your rental income? Let’s chat! Book a free 30-minute discovery call today.