All Forum Posts by: Matt Brazis

Join us for an exciting in-person event where short-term rental enthusiasts gather, share ideas, and connect with fellow hosts in the beautiful Tampa Bay area! Whether you're a seasoned host or just starting out, this meet up is the perfect opportunity to learn, network, and have fun. Discover the latest industry trends, get insider tips, and gain valuable insights from experienced hosts. Don't miss out on this fantastic chance to expand your knowledge, meet like-minded individuals, and build lasting connections in the short-term rental community.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/short-term-rental-real-estate-m...

@Jon Mitchell were using Destiny Builders LLC and having a good experience. Doing a full home remodel in Hyde Park. Be happy to give you his contact if you'd like it. Just PM me.

Awesome! We'll still plan on meeting at the 6pm time at the brick house this Tuesday. Excited to launch the first STR Tampa meet-up on BP

Hey @Andre Crabb I did something similar a year ago in Tampa Heights with a garage conversion, but the main house was an investment property, not a primary. City said I couldn't make an ADU but I could have an extended family unit difference was I can't have "kitchen appliances". Meaning no stove stop or oven. You are living in the main house so I don't see this as a problem for you. That being said, your biggest issue is time that it will take zoning to change the garage to a livable unit. It took me 6-8 months for zoning and permitting before I could start. My advice would be to talk to a contractor first to get a an idea on cost and what you need to have done- then have them file for permits with an architect. I would recommend going the route of permitting unless you have a contractor you really trust to do everything correctly and not take short cuts.

@Naren Roy Stephen Brown from accucheck home inspection is excellent. Very thorough! Has done 2 homes for me. 

https://accucheckhome.com/

813-783-2662

goodluck!

@Jennifer Cramer, do you currently own a home or are you renting? If not, go buy a primary residence to start building equity. Whether a SFH or duplex ect and get some roommates to help pay your mortgage. You're already hardly at home since you travel so much! If you already own a home then save up your money to buy another one for you to move into and house hack. You'll have so much less stress looking at numbers for a home you're moving into and you'll save money with the roommates. You'll get a much better loan product as well buying a primary residence and have more cash in your pocket!

Hey all, curious to poll and see how many people would be interested in attending an in person meet up in focused on STRs in the Tampa area? Form arbitrage, co-hosting, buy and hold STR owners, ect. Would be a great opportunity to hear everyone's story on how they got into STRs in Tampa or for new comers to learn from those that are already in the market. Feel free to reply to the post if this is something that would interest you!

@Nikki Grassmann, my wife and I live in Tampa and have made some very similar moves as you are looking to do!

We bought our first primary in 2020 and have a ton of equity in it, at a 3.25% rate. Before moving out and turning it into a STR, we took out a Heloc in case we needed it at a 250k credit line last year. We have since purchased another investment property and a new primary. We are now at 3 STR units that bring in ~20k gross / month. We were glad we took out that heloc cause our new primary needs a lot of rehab! We will live there for ~2 years, hopefully refinance into a better rate (before moving ), STR, and buy a new primary. Would be happy to chat with you and see if we could help you all grow your business in Tampa!

My wife and I own and manage 3 STRs in Tampa, FL and are finally getting towards the busier months and lower costs! Our electric bills were insane in the summer months this year, up to $700 / month for our 4/3 2695sqft home. October were have 71%, 71% and 100% occupancy across our 3 units- 4/3, 2/1, 1/1. Total gross revenue just under 20k. Typically in the slower months were around 15k. High months like Dec-March around 25k.

@Max Murin I think you can learn a ton just off of free education with youtube or learning from someone locally and provide free labor. We own and manage 3 ABNBs in Tampa and have not taken a formal course. I would absolutely teach someone in my area if there were willing to do random tasks that are needed weekly when it comes to managing ABNBs.