Lost in all of this has been the significant role technology now plays in listing and selling real estate.

And the reason why your "tale of two halves" will play out as you described.Demand:  This has actually been high almost all along, but rent growth hasn't materialized in response due to high levels of new supply. 

The Wow ShotWhy it works: Features the unique element that will catch guests’ attention.How to nail it: Highlight a hot tub, pool, view, or quirky design feature.Example: This listingAI’s Role in Airbnb RankingsAirbnb uses AI to analyze listings and prioritize them in categories like "Cabins," "Amazing Views," or "Play."

My humble advice to anyone attempting to do creative finance is:Creative finance is for experienced investors who have access to capital if anything goes wrong.Learn the lawsDon't use a contract "off the internet", laws vary by state and are also regulated on a federal levelLearn the financing techniques correctlyDon’t skip parts of the processDon’t ever do a “kitchen table” closingUse the proper deedAn attorney can help you with the legal work, but the rest you are on your ownYour guru will not bail you out“Investing” in someone else’s deal by providing a small 2nd loan so the “investor” can pay for “cash to the seller” and for “closing costs” so he can do the deal is a very bad planKnow what problems can ariseLearn the responses and solutions to problems before they are neededKnow everything there is to know about Title and what that meansKnow who a "protected class" individual isLearn the "back doors"Learn human natureUnderstand timelinesUnderstand regulation enforcement (some of these "mistakes" have a 10 year statue of limitations ( they can charge you 10 years AFTER you do the transaction) and carry hefty fines and possible imprisonmentThe court doesn't accept "I didn't know" for an answer"Know that the source of the lead plays a serious role in some states and federallyKnow how much of a "profit" pushes the boundaries to invite an investigationYou can be sued by the seller if you don’t do things correctlyYou are automatically at fault if an investigator or attorney or regulator gets involved.

Now, in 2024, we're seeing $4,000 per month just on the main unit and $1,800 on the other unit of the duplex.Long story short, it's a long term play.

Talk to a CPA to see how each scenario plays out.A 401K continues to grow in value, but what do you live on? 

So I used to work for a basketball tournament that played in Washington IL every year and so I often visited that town plus Peoria.

Shout out to permit professionals like Roy Hasson (just a friend in LA specializing in navigating permit process - this is not a business play we do not work together), who are dedicated to helping others and will likely develop similar resources to support their communities through the rebuilding process.If you’re working on rebuilding efforts or have questions, feel free to connect with me—I’d love to collaborate.

Yea this is a long-term personal play more than a strict STR deal. 

For example I know many who are now just lending because they are getting 10-12% short term which is far better than any cap rate on real estate. you do not have the equity upside as you do real estate but its a way to play the short game to see what happens over the next 12-24 months and decide when you want to buy.