All Forum Posts by: Bryant Xavier

Hey, Charan.

Welcome to the world of short-term rentals! I'm a short-term rental host, owner, and operator, and I do a lot of STR/mid-term rental investing and management. While I can't speak directly to the best STR spots in Houston, I firmly believe the College Station area is worth considering. It's relatively close to Houston and has strong demand due to Texas A&M, events, and business travel, making it a flexible market for STR and mid-term rentals.

If you’re open to exploring other high-performing areas, I’d be happy to share insights and data with you. Feel free to reach out, and we can chat ideas!

Looking forward to connecting!

I’ll be there! Looking forward to it. 

Hey, Brandon. 

This sounds like an exciting venture! From both a real estate and STR perspective, the key to success will be choosing the right market first. Some areas are oversaturated with RV parks or tiny home communities, while others have untapped potential. Before committing, I'd highly recommend researching demand in your target area and connecting with operators who already run similar rentals there.

A tiny home or glamping concept could be a huge hit in a market where it’s fresh and unique, but in areas where it’s been done before, you’ll need to bring something innovative to stand out. Think about what would make your rentals more attractive than what’s already available—whether it’s high-end amenities, themed experiences, or a community-focused approach.

If you’re open to chatting, I’d be happy to brainstorm ideas or connect you with people who have experience in this space, only know a few but happy to make any intros I can to help you out. 

For a project like this, where you’re installing a water heater, HVAC, replacing a front door, and installing appliances, here are some key insights:

1. Typical Project Management Fee for a GC

General contractors (GCs) typically charge a project management (PM) fee of 10-20% of the total project cost. The percentage depends on factors like project complexity, timeline, and contractor availability. Some may offer a flat fee instead.

Since you won’t be managing this yourself, clarify upfront if the GC’s fee includes coordinating subcontractors, pulling permits (if needed), and handling inspections.

2. Critical Questions to Ask a GC

To ensure you hire the right GC and avoid delays or cost overruns, ask:

• Experience & Licensing:

• Are you licensed and insured?

• Have you completed similar projects? Can you provide references?

• Project Scope & Cost:

• Can you provide a detailed, itemized estimate?

• What is your markup on materials and labor?

• Timeline & Scheduling:

• How long will the project take?

• Do you foresee any delays based on material availability or subcontractor scheduling?

• Subcontractors & Permits:

• Will you be using subcontractors, and if so, how do you vet them?

• Who is responsible for pulling permits (if required)?

• Payment Structure:

• What is your payment schedule? (Avoid large upfront payments; progress-based is best.)

• How do you handle change orders if unexpected costs arise?

Hiring the right GC is key to getting the property market-ready efficiently. Get multiple bids, verify references, and ensure everything is in writing before moving forward. Good luck! 

Love this! Sending you a PM

Hi, Helena and Welcome! 

These are great questions and a great idea to do some due diligence before the purchase. I have recommendations for all 3 and I will send you a request to connect so I can send those your way. 

Hey, Lauren and congrats on considering your first STR investment! I've been in the STR game for 6 years, managing multiple properties, and here are some of the tech tools that have been game-changers for me—both for evaluating and managing properties.

  For Evaluating STRs: 1. AirDNA – This is my go-to for market research. It gives you insights into occupancy rates, average nightly rates, and revenue potential in your target area. 2. Pricelabs Market Dashboards – Great for analyzing local comps and pricing trends. 3. Mashvisor – Helps compare long-term vs. short-term rental potential, especially useful if you’re weighing both options. 4. Beyond (formerly Beyond Pricing) – Useful for dynamic pricing and also provides some solid market data.       For Managing STRs: 1. Hospitable (formerly Smartbnb) – Automates guest messaging, reviews, and integrates with multiple platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. 2. OwnerRez – A comprehensive PMS (property management system) that handles bookings, guest communication, and even direct booking websites. 3. RemoteLock or August Smart Locks – Essential for remote check-ins; integrates with booking platforms to auto-generate codes. 4. NoiseAware – Monitors noise levels to help prevent party problems without invading guest privacy. 5. Turno (formerly TurnoverBnB) – Automates scheduling for cleaners and syncs with your booking calendar. 6. Ring Cameras – Great for monitoring the exterior of your property for security purposes.   Bonus Tip: If this quadruplex is out of state, I’d highly recommend building a reliable local team (cleaners, handymen, etc.) and maybe consider hiring a co-host or VA to help with day-to-day tasks, especially if you scale up.   Hope that helps, and good luck with your STR journey! Feel free to reach out if you’ve got more questions.

Quote from @Todd Douglas:

Quote from @Bryant Xavier:

Todd,

You knocked this one out of the park, man! You'll have to keep me posted on your next move!

 hey man, yeah Im working on it now that the holiday season is over. Im just putting deals together and working on finding a new project for myself.

 Looking to do the same. How’s your market in MI? 

Quote from @Chris Magistrado:

Quote from @Bryant Xavier:

Hey, Spencer. I got started in arbitrage in 2019. Found an awesome deal on Craigslist and it allowed me to get my foot in the door with an investor (owner of the property I arbitraged.) I made a great connection with that property owner and proved the concept since he was unfamiliar and hadn't even heard of rental arbitrage. I used the concept to do arbitrage on 3 more of his properties and then transitioned to more of a management model in 2020 to offset my risk. My wife and I started managing more properties for others as word of mouth recommendations started and we started to use the management and arbitrage cash flow to acquire our own properties and fund the BRRRs we were working on.  

Curious to know if anyone else does the model this current day. 2019 was a different ballgame than todays market for sure and I think the model can work but it's very few and far between where the numbers will make sense in todays market.

Despite if it works and or what anyone says... arbitrage will always  have a special place in my heart since it was what got me started in this RE game. 

VERY cool strategy and progression story. At how many doors did you decide to go more into management side of things?

 We were managing 7 properties when transitioning to management. We are now at 21 doors under management and 3 are personal units that we self manage. Has been an awesome ride! 

Chanel,

Welcome back to the group. As a General Contractor myself here in east central Texas, I can tell you that connecting with local GCs via Facebook groups can be incredibly helpful. YouTube is also a fantastic resource—it's free and you can learn at your own pace, which is a huge benefit. Connecting with local GC groups in your area will help you connect with subcontractors, find out tips and tricks of the trade in your local area (since all areas and their real estate differ slightly).

Also, have you considered the motivation behind building a brand-new duplex versus finding one on the market? Sometimes, buying an existing property can be more cost-effective and less time-consuming and maybe require slightly less permits, etc. 

Hope this helps! Feel free to msg me, I'm happy to help