All Forum Posts by: Michael Calvey

If you’ve been watching the markets and wondering why mortgage rates remain stubbornly high—despite whispers of economic softening—you’re not alone. It’s mid-April and many expected mortgage rate relief by now. After all, inflation has cooled, and there’s been talk of eventual interest rate cuts.

And yet here we are. The 30-year fixed mortgage rate continues to hover near 6.5% to 7%, remaining well above where many anticipated it would be by spring. It’s tempting to point to President Trump’s tariffs as the primary driver, but is that really the full story?

Even before yesterday’s Treasury sell-off, upward pressure on 10-year yields was already building. The events of April 9 simply accelerated a trend that was already underway.

It turns out that part of the answer may lie in the intricate—and risky—world of hedge fund trading, specifically a strategy known as the basis trade. While this might sound like something pulled from an episode of Billions, it has very real consequences for real estate investors like you.

Read more on our BiggerPockets Blog

 Hey Jacob - The best way to learn about Co-Hosting for short term rentals is with our latest video on YouTube

Hello Hello

Managing Airbnb listings can be a grind—late-night guest texts, coordinating cleaners, chasing 5-star reviews. We get it, and we’ve got your back. I just watched this killer BiggerPockets video about the Airbnb Co-Host network, and it’s a game-changer for scaling without losing your sanity. It covers how co-hosts can boost your occupancy, handle the chaos, and free you up to grow—or relax!

Here’s a sneak peek:

• How co-hosts skyrocket your ratings and bookings.
• Tips to pick a co-host who fits your vibe.
• Stories of hosts going from 1 to 10+ listings, stress-free.
  

Watch it here: The Advantages Of Using The Airbnb Co-Host Network

Your turn: Tried a co-host yet? What’s your biggest hosting headache? Let’s swap ideas below!

I hear you—@Garrett Brown's success is awesome, and you’re absolutely right that real estate isn’t a one-size-fits-all game. Every market’s has its quirks, every investor’s got their style, and what worked in 2020-2021 can feel like ancient history now (fire kindling’s a perfect way to put it!). But here’s where I’d push back a bit: playbooks aren’t static—they’re meant to be rewritten.

Think about the NBA if you’re a hoops fan like me. Back in 2010, it was all about post-up plays and midrange jumpers—solid strategies for that era. Fast forward to today, and the game’s flipped: advanced analytics and the 3-point shot dominate. Offense and defense evolved, but teams didn’t ditch the playbook—they rewrote it to win. Real estate’s the same. Garrett’s 60/30/10 Rule isn’t some rigid, do-or-die script; it’s a framework you adapt to your market, your goals, and the moment.

His Mirror House and Geo Dome? They’re killing it because he didn’t just copy-paste an old strategy. He took a solid base—60 minutes from a city, 30 from attractions, 10 from essentials—and made it his own with unique stays and killer locations. That’s the real takeaway: start with a playbook, then tweak it to fit.

What do you think, BP crew? How have you remixed your own strategies lately to keep up with the shifts? Drop your thoughts below—I’m all ears for how you’re making it work in your corner of the market!

Hopefully Garrett keeps bringing some remixes into the BiggerStays Newsletter

@Garrett Brown short term rentals—like his Mirror House pulling $110K/year or Geo Dome at $90K—scream one truth: guests crave unforgettable stays, not cookie-cutter flops. His secret? The 60/30/10 Rule: properties 60 minutes from a city, 30 from attractions, 10 from essentials. The strategy is crushing it for him, while some of us are stuck with these $20K-$30K strs that gather dust. Ouch—his wins expose our losses.

The Problem: Your Rentals Are Forgettable

You’re hemorrhaging cash on listings guests swipe past. Seems like he learned the hard way: if your Airbnb feels like a motel, it’s toast. Guests want Instagram-worthy escapes, not yawn-fests.

• Cash Drain: Every dull month costs you thousands.
• Gut Punch: That quirky dome next door is crushing you.
• Future Risk: Can your setup survive the 2025 travel boom

The Fix: Steal the 60/30/10 Strategy from BiggerStays (sign up for this newsletter here...its worth it)

Here’s the breakdown:

• 60 minutes from a city: Close enough for urban escapees.
• 30 minutes from attractions: Adventure without hassle.
• 10 minutes from essentials: Convenience seals the deal.

Proof It Works: Brown’s Mirror House near Houston nails this—guests rave about the vibe and location. His Geo Dome? Same story.

What to do next:

• Stand Out: Think tiny homes, themed stays—ditch the beige.
• Location Scout: Map the 60/30/10 sweet spot near your market.
• Hype It: Pro photos and a TikTok shoutout can explode bookings.

I feel like Garrett's handed us the playbook to run with—drop your bold rental idea below. Stuck on ‘safe’ and scared? Call it out in the comments. 

Hey Jeff

By line of credit, I assume you are meaning a HELOC aka a home equity line of credit? 

I would recommend one of our partners with BiggerPockets, Figure, as they are the #1 non-bank HELOC lender. Easy application that is all done online and you get approved in as little as 5 days which is helpful if you an urgent need for the funds or a deal that you want to jump on.

Caught the latest BiggerPockets Money Show episode, "The Tax-Free Retirement Strategy 95% of Americans Don’t Know About" with John Bowens from Equity Trust. He breaks down using Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRAs) to invest in real estate—like rentals or flips—and keep the profits tax-free. The idea is you roll over your boring 401(k) into an SDIRA and start building wealth without the tax hit. 

I’m digging the concept, but I want the real-world scoop from you all. Who’s pulled this off? What deals did you fund—single-family, multi, something else? How’d the numbers stack up after fees and custodian costs? John makes it sound seamless, but I’d love to hear your wins (or war stories). If you haven’t listened yet, the episode’s worth a spin—drops some solid nuggets.

What’s your take—game-changer or just another tool in the kit?

@Michael Martin I'd recommend our official SDIRA partner, Equity Trust. We also have two of their courses available for free if you want to learn more about self directed iras on your own.  

@Reilly BrownI was going to ask the same question that Mason asked. 

I would suggest using the Build Your Team Section to find an investor friendly real estate agent in any city that you are looking.