Can you use Airbnb to fill Vacancies?

[Sam Garcia]

Hello, I'm a newbie investor going the owner occupied multifamily FHA route.

My plan is to buy a duplex, live in one (smaller one if different beds) unit, rent out the other units. 

I'm single, and units in a duplex usually have a 2-3 beds, so I can rent out those rooms in the unit I'm occupying, too.

Then rent out the other unit, of course.

Is using AirBnb to host the other unit while waiting on a vacancy a legitimate strategy?

[Sarah Karakaian]

@Sam Garcia I've been an Airbnb host for over 7 years now and have hosted in both NYC and Columbus, OH. Is your question hypothetical or have you secured a property and you're just ready to take ownership? 

I love the Airbnb model because it marries my passion for hospitality, design, real estate, and making great cashflow! That being said, there is different work involved getting it set up and running it efficiently. If you're just wanting to Airbnb while waiting to fill a space with a long-term tenant I don't believe it would be worth the initial investment for you. That being said, if you're interested in what it takes to be a great host it's truly a wonderful platform. If you've got specific questions, feel free to PM me!