Building Short-Term Rental Experiences with Alex Jarbo
If you're a fan of vacationing in rental properties rather than traditional hotels, you've probably pondered the idea of owning a short-term rental at some point. You're not alone, as the short-term rental market has experienced significant growth through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. In this episode of Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing, Jonathan chats with Alex Jarbo, a short-term rental developer and manager who has been drawn to this unique investment niche since the early days of his real estate journey. A former Marine, Alex is also the founder of Sargon Investments.
Jonathan and Alex dive deep into the art of crafting memorable experiences with short-term rentals, and Alex emphasizes that it's not just about providing a place to sleep but curating moments. Alex shares his reasoning for choosing Asheville, North Carolina, as his investment market and his unconventional decision to build an A-frame property. They discuss the challenges posed by the recent downturn in the vacation rental market and the pivotal role that educational resources such as courses, books, and podcasts have played in Alex's journey toward success in this real estate niche. If you're interested in short-term rentals, this dialogue with Alex Jarbo is a must-listen.
Alex shares what he’s learned, including:
Books will only take you 30-50% of the way to what you need to learn about this niche. He strongly believes in becoming a part of a mastermind or group coaching setting where you can build relationships and find mentors.
Having systems to manage your properties will save you headaches in the long run. Take three to six months to get things set up correctly, and consider using a local property manager who knows the ins and outs of the business.
Because he focuses on creating experiences with his rental properties, Alex has been less affected by the downturn in the short-term rental market. He continues to market to previous guests, which also saves him money.
Short-term rentals aren’t immune to changes in the economy, but with the right systems in place, Alex Jarbo believes you can be successful in any economic conditions.
If you want to learn more about Zen and the Art of Real Estate Investing Podcast, check out http://www.trustgreene.com/podcast/zen/074.