All Forum Posts by: Michael Calvey

Think Good Deals Are Hard to Find? Let’s Change That in Just 5 Days!

Hey BiggerPockets Community!

Finding great off-market deals can feel like a needle-in-a-haystack challenge. Whether you’re a new investor or a seasoned pro, the competition is fierce, and the best opportunities often seem just out of reach.

That’s why BiggerPockets is teaming up with DealMachine to bring you the Off-Market Deal Finding 5-Day Challenge—a completely FREE event designed to help you find your first (or next) off-market deal FAST.

Here’s What You’ll Get:
📅 3 Live Sessions led by Matt Kamp, VP at DealMachine and a real estate investing expert who’s helped customers close over 15,000 deals.
🎁 $2,000 in Prizes just for joining the challenge!
📱 Insider tips and tricks on using the highest-rated app for real estate investors to discover hidden gems.

Proof It Works:
Participants from past campaigns have uncovered deals they never thought possible, often within just days of implementing these strategies. One attendee said:
"I thought I knew how to find deals until this challenge showed me what I was missing. I closed on two off-market properties within 30 days!"

I’m not sure if this is for you, but...
If you’re serious about leveling up your real estate game in 2024, there’s no reason not to try this. The challenge is free, so there’s nothing to lose—except maybe a few missed deals if you skip it.

👉 Reserve Your Spot for FREE Here! (Don’t wait—spots are limited, and the challenge starts January 30th!)

Let’s make 2025 the year you crush your deal-finding goals. Who’s in?

Tina, I can only imagine how frustrating this situation must be for you. It sounds like you need a reliable and trustworthy partner to help you navigate this transition seamlessly while keeping your solo 401(k) on track.

I’d highly BiggerPockets Partner for this, Equity Trust, a top-tier custodian in the industry.

They not only specialize in self-directed IRAs and solo 401(k)s but also have an entire team specifically dedicated to supporting BiggerPockets members like you. This means you’ll have direct access to experts who truly understand your needs and are ready to assist you whenever you need help.

What really sets Equity Trust apart is their commitment to personalized service, ensuring that BiggerPockets members have the resources and guidance they need every step of the way.

You can learn more about their services and connect with their team here: Equity Trust – BiggerPockets Page. 

 A single, eye catching line that grabs attention with specifics and tells the guests what makes your Airbnb unique is great. You could do something like "Hot Tub Paradise on the Lake + Game Room & EV Station" or "Lakeside Haven: Hot Tub + Game Room (Tesla Ready)" would work great as well. 

What do you suggest about the listing's title on Airbnb, if you can get this right, it can drive a ton of clicks for you. 

So many hosts waste their prime real estate with Airbnb (the listing title) on generic adjectives and throwaway opinions, something like "“Charming Cottage with a Beautiful View.”

What do you think of the tips in the forum thread - Fast Fixes to your Airbnb Title

So many hosts waste their prime real estate with Airbnb (the listing title) on generic adjectives and throwaway opinions. If you want more clicks, get straight to the features that matter most to your guests. That means clearly calling out 4+ awesome amenities they can’t resist—like “Lakefront Retreat | GameRoom | HotTub | EV Charger” instead of “Charming Cottage with a Beautiful View.”

Why It Works

1. Grabs attention with specifics (people love hot tubs).
2. Tells guests exactly what they can expect, so they’ll click over your competitors.
3. Makes your property unique—no more “cozy” or “adorable” listings lost in the crowd.

Try This

• Brainstorm your top must-see amenities.
• Keep the wording short, clear, and hype-worthy.
• Swap out any fluff words like “cute,” “lovely,” or “charming.”

It depends on what you are looking for in a CRM. Are you looking to find properties that are undervalued that you fix and flip? If so, I'd recommend using DealMachine. You can automate follow up, look up property records and a whole lot more. Plus, I love that they have unlimited data records for users and give you free skip tracing. 

Managing a short-term rental (STR) can feel like a full-time job. Constantly juggling guest messages, cleaning schedules, and last-minute bookings can turn the dream of passive income into a daily grind.

But with the right automation tools, STR management can be not only hands-off but also more profitable.

Here’s how automation can transform your rental game:

1. Guest Messaging on Autopilot: Imagine responding to every guest inquiry with personalized messages—without any manual effort. Automation tools like Hospitable handle pre-check-in instructions, Wi-Fi details, and even friendly post-checkout follow-ups, all while making guests feel like they’re receiving real-time communication.
2. Effortless Five-Star Reviews: Automated review requests can be timed perfectly to boost ratings without the awkward "pretty please" messages. More five-star reviews mean better placement in online travel agencies (OTAs) and higher revenue.
3. Dynamic Pricing That Maximizes Profit: With tools like PriceLabs, pricing automatically adjusts to local events, seasonal trends, and demand surges—no more underpricing or overthinking. These tools use the same technology that hotels rely on to maximize rates.
4. Keyless Entry for Smooth Check-Ins: Keyless entry systems give guests a unique code that expires after checkout. No more frantic late-night calls or worrying about key exchanges—just smooth, hassle-free arrivals.
5. Avoiding Double-Booking Nightmares: Double bookings can ruin a guest's stay and hurt reviews. A channel manager like Hospitable syncs bookings across all platforms, avoiding embarrassing overlaps and keeping all communications centralized.
6. Automated Cleaning Schedules: After each guest checks out, cleaning schedules can be synced automatically with the cleaning crew—eliminating missed cleanings or the need for last-minute arrangements.

Automating these aspects of STR management isn't just about making life easier—it's about maximizing profits, improving guest satisfaction, and bringing back valuable personal time.

Have you tried automating your STR? What tools have worked best for you to streamline operations? What’s the biggest challenge you've faced in automating your short-term rental?

The community would love to hear about other automation hacks or tools that make STR management easier. Sharing tips can help us all move toward making short-term rentals truly passive income!

Hey there!

Totally understand wanting to get it right the first time. If you're looking for an intuitive and user-friendly solution, I'd highly recommend giving Hospitable a try. They've partnered with BiggerPockets and have built a strong reputation for making self-management seamless, especially for hosts managing a handful of properties like yours.

Hospitable is known for its ease of use, automated messaging (a lifesaver for responding to guests!), and dynamic pricing features. Plus, they integrate smoothly with VRBO, which is great since that's your main booking platform.

With your solid team of local pros in place, Hospitable can really help streamline operations so you can focus on scaling.

Give it a shot—it might be the perfect fit!

Happy to intro you to their team if you'd like. 

I would recommend DealMachine as they have free skip tracing. 

 The best way to find your boots on the ground is to use vetted Agents from BiggerPockets with our Featured Agent Program, or Lenders with our Featured Lender Program, or Property Managers with our Featured PM Program, or a Tax Pro with the Featured Tax Professional Program - all from BiggerPockets to help everyone find trusted investor friendly professionals.