All Forum Posts by: Lauren Nolan Sellers

My kids have the opportunity to attend a great school so we're moving.

I think there's an opportunity here to get creative. Looking for advice from an RE perspective to make the most of this opportunity.

Right now my thought to is rent our primary home as an STR (looking into zoning to see if we can transition it into a duplex-- would be easy with our current layout) and househack into a multifamily (and see if we could do STRs or LTRs then refi and use that as down payment on a new home.

Or we could rent primary residence as stated above and buy another small property BRRR into an STR or MTR refi and then use that as all/part of a down-payment for a new home.

Currently residence about 15 mins from Philadelphia in South Jersey. Moving to Wilmington-ish Delaware. Open to thoughts, ideas, & advice. Thanks!

What's the best way to go about finding more experienced investors to connect with?

Hello everyone! My name is Lauren and I've come to shoot my shot. 

I've been playing parallel to the real estate industry for years in that I have built my own interior design business for 10+ yrs and 'flipped' each of the homes I've lived in. But, I always felt like I didn't have what it took to become a "real" investor. I've been a bird dog, designed flips, selected finishes, evaluated properties, heck I was even part of a demo team... but those are still toe-in-the-water moves. No more. It's time to jump in.

Some major challenges over this last year have taught me to play full out and that tomorrow isn't promised. So "if it is to be, it's up to me." 

I'm ready go all in. I want to dive into the short term rental market. I am looking for advice and know-how and ideally, a partner who would allow me contribute but what I can (familiar with rehabbing and project management) while learning the ropes on the investment side.

I am eager coachable and on fire to change lives. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk! Jk! 

Honestly, I will happily receive any insight you'd be willing to share. Thanks!

@Tyler Winget thank you so much. I may circle back once I do more investigating. Do you know where a good place would be to find a partnership for an STR on BP?

I bring a skillset of project management and interior decorating to the table. I've flipped my own houses twice and worked alongside investors selecting finishes for properties layouts etc. I've had my own business for 10+ yrs and am now coaching new decorators but I want to jump into STRs and I'm looking for guidance and boots-on-the-ground experience. Just not quite sure where to begin to find someone local and you seem to bring a wealth of knowlegde! 

Thank you all so much for the helpful information you've shared. @Matthew Niemynski @Tyler Winget and @Ryan D. incredibly useful information as no one else I've spoken with has mentioned this. I really appreciate your willingness to share. Ideally, I'd like to stay closer to metro areas if possible. Would it be smart/ advantageous to look to invest in areas close to Philly but not inside the city limits? Like the immediate suburbs surrounding Philly? I also am willing to look in other areas like Wilmington, DE, Baltimore, and DC. Would these be good areas to pursue? Thanks again to you all. 

Hi! I am at the beginning of my search looking for good areas to purchase 1 to 2 short-term rentals in up-and-coming areas of Philadelphia...a plus for properties in need of major renovations, and ones close to African American cultural attractions. 

If there are no good places to look in those areas (due to cost, safety, availability etc.) then I am open to suggestions or just good places for STR investment in general.

I hope to connect with someone who knows Philly intimately and can make some recommendations about where to look.
Thanks so much!