She Got Laid Off 4 Times... Then Built a Real Estate Empire

Laid off four times, Kira turned a $140k Poconos foreclosure into a 5-star short-term rental. Discover how she used a unique "Bigfoot" brand to target families, furnished the home for just $3k, and maintains high occupancy without professional photos. Plus, The Short Term Shop is now in the Poconos!

Why Work With The Short Term Shop

The Short Term Shop has helped 5,000+ investors purchase over $3.5 billion in short term rentals nationwide. We’ve been named the #1 team worldwide at eXp Realty three times and ranked as a Wall Street Journal / RealTrends Top 20 team in the U.S. five times. Every client also receives hands-on training to self-manage remotely from day one.

WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Website: www.theshorttermshop.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshorttermshop
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheShortTermShop
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshorttermshop / https://www.instagram.com/theaverycarl
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/averycarl
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@averyacarl

CONTACT US
Email Address: info@theshorttermshop.com / agents@theshorttermshop.com
Office Number: (800) 898-1498

Our podcasts:
https://bit.ly/shorttermshow
https://bit.ly/strmanagement

00:00 - The Opportunity Mindset
02:46 - The Genesis of an Investor: Millennial, Recession, and Pivot to Real Estate
06:50 - Timing the Market: Buying a Tenant-Occupied Duplez During COVID-19
09:15 - Millennial Perspective on the 2008 Recession & Job Market Struggles
12:26 - Operational Inefficiencies: The Control of Pivoting as a Self-Employed Investor
14:28 - Deal Analysis: Why I Chose a Short-Term Rental in the Poconos
15:25 - Key Market Advantage: Lake Adjacent, no HOA, and Proximity to Kalahari Water Park
16:50 - Underwriting Rule: Ensuring Long-Term Rental Rents Cover the Mortgage if STR Fails
18:00 - Poconos Investment Breakdown: Purchase Price, Renovation Cost, and Appraisal Issues
21:14 - Dealing with Low Appraisals in Rural Markets with Limited Comparables
25:10 - The "Pool Table House" Concept: Creating a Memorable Guest Experience
29:22 - Airbnb SEO & Standing Out: Using a Hero Photo and Warm Color Scheme
34:35 - Archiving 5-Star Reviews: The Power of Under-Promise and Over-Deliver
37:42 - Setting Proper Occupancy Limits: A Better Guest Experience Means Better Reviews
41:14 - Challenging the Norm: Why Not Having Professional Photos Can Help You Stand Out
43:16 - Seasonal Pictures: Maximizing Bookings by Changing Photos Four Times a Year
45:05 - Dynamic Pricing Success: How PriceLabs & 5-Star Ratings Increase Willingness to Pay
46:48 - Next STR Idea: Dog-Centric Stays with the Branded "Rover Stay Over" Concept
48:40 - Last Three Questions

FAQ
Is the Poconos a good place to invest in Airbnb?
Can I furnish an Airbnb with thrifted furniture?
How do I make my Airbnb stand out?
Do I need professional photos for my Airbnb?
What is a "drive-to" vacation market?

#PoconosRealEstate #ShortTermRental #RealEstateInvesting #AirbnbHost #FinancialFreedom #VacationRental #PropertyRenovation #CashFlow #RealEstate #PassiveIncome