All Forum Posts by: Erica Muller

@Hae-Yuan Chang One of the ways I built my business was list building. It's truly a daunting process and I honestly have tried everything and there is no easy way to do it without A. Spending Money or B. Spending lots of time. Buying lists typically doesn't result in any quality leads. If you send the same message too many times on Airbnb, there is an algorithm in place that will flag your account as a potential spammer so just be careful. Many of the homes on Airbnb in Orlando (kissimmee, Davenport, Clermont areas) are also listed by the management company, not the owner. There are some but you'll also get just as many management companies responding and could result in a lot of wasted time. I know this because my marketing team has tried it as well as with VRBO before they masked the emails. . . Here are some white hat ways to build your investor list with either time or money: 

1. Opt In Text marketing 

2. Facebook targeted ads directing to an opt in page (if you don't structure this right you'll waste a lot of money)

3. Guest blogging on more established sites with a lead box opt in on the page 

4. Renting someone's established list that is all opt in and credible and not just to send properties but to give an offer that someone would opt into. 

These are just some tactics I've used and use. I've been at the list building thing for 8 years now and everyday is a new day in the world of marketing. Things are usually outdated in a year or two so stay on top of the marketing trends. I tell all my investors and clients the same thing, you may be a real estate investor but your first job is a marketer. That's the truth. 

@Kyle Conrad Why don't you just get your real estate license if you are going to be doing this a lot? Seems like it would make more sense instead of running around in gray area and potentially putting yourself at risk. 

Maybe @Gerard Lester can help you sort that out. 

@Payal Z. Have you considered vacation rentals? In the right neighborhoods, they're generating 3-4 times the amount of rental income that long term rentals are and the good news is that there are some really good management options here so it can be a hands off investment. You just have to be really careful which neighborhood you purchase in because they're not all the same. Two neighborhoods right next to each other can be bringing in entirely different sets of income. If you need any guidance feel free to reach out! 

Interesting points @Juan Diaz. This is why I feel like people should use a property manager. They handle most of this damage and have multiple sources of putting better bookings in place with larger security deposits. I'd rather profit a bit less and my property not be abused and destroyed than book every last night with whoever is willing to stay there at whatever rate I can get. It doesn't make sense in the end. Also, I think certain areas are definitely more prone to wild tenants than others. In Orlando, it's mostly families traveling together so not a lot of wild and crazy parties but I would imagine places like Miami or Vegas get a lot more of the party scene and probably some really weird stuff going on.  

@Clayton Sneider Do you plan to self manage it or hire a manager? 

I was marketing and selling these a few years ago for the investor that purchased this community in bulk. . . the numbers never seemed to work for my investors so it was not a successful project. Did they change anything since then? 

@Stephen Ghanoo Congrats! I work the Kissimmee, Clermont, Davenport, Winter Garden, Windermere areas but my colleague invests basically everywhere in Orlando. I'm sure she has some insight for you and could assist you in that area. I'm happy to connect you with you. Just send me a PM. 

Welcome to BP @Niles Treber !! I don't know how much money you're coming into but if you have enough you should invest it into self storage. They're probably the safest of all real estate investments but I would make sure you have someone who knows what they're doing help you do the research and acquire one. I'm saving up to buy two of them right now and then I'm retiring and traveling the world. 

@John Mayer At the end of the day it all comes down to taxes. They can say whatever they want but when the county gets involved it's mainly because they want their portion of what's owed to them. People who are running a vacation rental illegally or in areas it's not approved for are not paying the city and county hotel taxes (which is applicable on all short term rentals under 7 months). I'm sure the neighbors complaining doesn't help but that's not why they care so much. I know that isn't a solution though. . .