All Forum Posts by: Andres Murillo

I can send you newly built fourplexes that are fully leased at about an 8% cap rate for $490,000. Should cash flow $800-$1300 per month depending on financing options.

Life long Angeleno who's been an REI Advisor for 5+ years. While I do help lots of clients purchase out of state, I'll skip that for now lol.

In the LA/SoCal area I think you have to be looking for STRs, MFs you can split into individual parcels, and properties with easy improvement potential. 

STRs is how you cash flow. There are so many resources to help you do this successfully. There are experts every step of the way to help you navigate this strategy (I help identify, analyze, license and coordinate execution). 

MFs you can split will help you resell for a premium. These are challenging because you'll still have to deal with/understand your tenant's rights, but vacant duplexes or land go up often enough for you to take advantage of this.

Properties with easy improvement plans are going to help you "invest for less" in this market. You will not buy, rehab, refinance and get all of your money back plus find cash flow. But you will buy, rehab, refinance and get SOME of your money back then cash flow well enough to survive until rates drop - then you refi for the cash flow.

You really just want to ask yourself "who would buy this from me? are there many people here that fit that buyer profile? does that buyer profile have more or fewer reasons to buy here moving forward? what would have to change for that buyer to no longer want to buy here? what would have to change to 10x the number of buyers that would want to buy from me?"

Hey Marine! I'm an REI Advisor with the type of experience you're looking for. Here's a deal I found, analyzed, and am offering on behalf of a client today.

https://onyx-branch-055.notion...

I assist investors with strategy, deal finding, deal analysis, purchase, licensing, and execution team coordination. I've done this here in the SoCal area but am also licensed and experienced in states like GA, NC, and others. Sent a connection request - would be happy to chat some more. 

I've helped investors purchase throughout Texas for the past 6 years. 

Both DFW and Austin are fantastic growth markets. Not a ton of cash flow compared to other areas but great appreciation. Most of my clients who purchased in Austin or DFW have focused on SFRs because it's easier to capture that growth with an SFR. But clients looking for some semblance of cash flow have mostly purchased along the I35 corridor outside of Austin and working-class neighborhoods in the Arlington area.

McAllen and Brownsville in South Texas have had incredible deals in the past year. A lot of new construction built for workforce housing has popped up. I've helped clients buy that type of product and secure easy cash flow with a minimal initial investment.

I PM'd you. Would be happy to dive deeper into any/all of this.

Love the photo you're using for the first photo, but I'd consider changing up the next 4 to highlight your space more than the community. I would also add a map photo that spotlights where the property is and where Disney or other attractions are. This will help make it super clear just how easy it is to get to the park and other attractions.

Regarding the photography - some of the angles are a little steep, the home could be staged better and the family-friendly components you've invested in should be highlighted more. 

Steep angles warp the space and don't allow a viewer to get a true feel for the space. Even if the space is smaller, it's better that potential guests can at least feel that upfront. You'll have more happy guests book if they have a strong sense of what they're walking into.

Staging the home to eliminate trash cans, get rid of wires, and try to keep the lighting consistent from shot to shot will make the listing pop much more.

You have kid-friendly, Disney-themed bedding in one of the rooms - show that off a bit more. You can also lean into that and include some toys, games, movies, and wallpaper that is also a Disney theme. The experience of children spending the day at the most magical place on earth and then coming home to more magic will be amazing.

Not at all. 

It hasn't been for at least the past handful of years. Unless a market is dying - talking single employer towns where that employer has left type of dying - you really won't find it.

Anyone marketing a property with that type of rent/price ratio is selling a giant PROBLEM. 

Modeled photography and more location insight could help. Your property itself seems awesome - love the decor and color scheme. Really seems like a historic NO stay.

Modeled photography - A few people here mentioned the space seems small or there isn't enough of a focus on the experience. Photography with models can go a long way in resolving both of these issues. I attached a photo of a great example of what this could look like. In the photo, you'll notice people practicing yoga on a deck. The deck by itself seems useless and not very big. If I was just browsing the page on Airbnb I wouldn't really see HOW I could use that space. Add models practicing yoga to the picture and I immediately see myself and my friends doing the same (not really for me but you get the theory lol). This also helps me to understand the size of the space. Seeing a handful of people comfortably enjoying the deck immediately helps me understand the space I'll be staying in. You can find creative ways to show people enjoying the space to allow viewers to imagine themselves there.

Location insight - More context about the attractions nearby would be huge! You have some info but as someone who's never been to New Orleans, I have no idea why those places are awesome. If I'm visiting NO for a Saints game I might consider your stay because of the proximity to the Superdome, but I would choose a space that offered me great insight into local things to do while I was there. Everyone can google map themselves around town, but the best hosts tell me WHERE and WHY I need to go during my stay.

Most contracts should have a cancellation policy. You might have to pay a fee, but I'm sure with enough proof of their shortfallings you can reduce that $. 

You'll want to make sure you aren't solely banking on seasonality for the performance of your STR. Design, amenities, guest services, unique features, views, sought-after locations, and overall guest experience are giant factors in the success of an STR.

These are all especially important in the type of "traditional vacation" markets you described. These are usually areas with lots of competition. Even worse, lots of competitors are true vacation rental investors whose motivation is offsetting their regular travel expenses with some additional income. Without a proper "moat from the competition" you won't see the highest possible occupancy or ADRs regardless of seasonality.

Your strategy seems foolproof as long as your choosing competitive properties in those markets. The strategy also lends itself well to a more "full-service" vacation booking firm. You can do your best to pull leads into your own channels outside of AirBnB and market to them a "year-round" vacation solution. Really interesting possibility!