Blog
Video guides and articles from James Svetec
Making Money Through Equity & Appreciation
Cash flow gets all the attention in short-term rental investing — but equity and appreciation are quietly building wealth in the background. Here's how both work and why they matter for your total ROI.
October 13, 2022 · 8 min read
Buying an Airbnb During a Recession: What to Know in 2026
Buying an Airbnb during a recession sounds risky — but it may actually be one of the smartest moves you can make. Here's how to invest in short-term rentals intelligently when inflation is high and interest rates are climbing.
October 11, 2022 · 8 min read
How to FURNISH an Airbnb start to finish
Setting up an Airbnb start to finish involves hundreds of decisions — and skipping even one can tank your reviews. This guide walks through the complete furnishing system, room-by-room checklists, and bonus amenity strategies that separate average listings from top earners.
October 9, 2022 · 12 min read
Passive Airbnb Investing: Make Your STR Business Run Itself
Managing multiple Airbnb properties doesn't have to consume your life. With the right software, a lean virtual team, and repeatable systems, STR investors can run 5+ properties in roughly an hour a week. Here's exactly how to build that setup.
October 6, 2022 · 6 min read
Furnish Step-By-Step Walkthrough
Furnishing a short-term rental involves hundreds of individual items across every room. This step-by-step guide walks Airbnb hosts through the exact system used to furnish a 5-bedroom property in 6–8 weeks — organized, on budget, and guest-ready.
October 4, 2022 · 8 min read
Airbnb Property Analysis: How to Run the Numbers Right
Running a proper Airbnb property analysis is the difference between a profitable STR investment and a costly mistake. This breakdown walks through the exact numbers — from purchase price to projected cash-on-cash return — using a real property example in Asheville, NC.
September 29, 2022 · 11 min read
How to Make Money in Any Real Estate Market with STRs
When property values drop and interest rates climb, most real estate investors panic. This blog video explains why cash flow — not appreciation — is the key to surviving any market, and why short-term rentals are the most powerful tool for generating it.
September 27, 2022 · 8 min read
Remote Airbnb Investing: How to Buy & Launch STRs Hands-Off
Buying and launching an Airbnb property without living nearby sounds impossible — but it's not. This blog video walks through the exact remote STR investing process James Svetec used to buy, renovate, furnish, and list a property with just two site visits.
September 22, 2022 · 9 min read
Buying an Airbnb Property Sight Unseen: How to Do It Right
Buying a short-term rental property without ever visiting it sounds risky—but with the right systems, it's not only possible, it's smart. Here's the exact approach used to purchase an Airbnb property sight unseen, from inspection strategy to closing remotely.
September 20, 2022 · 8 min read
Adding a Hot Tub to My Airbnb: Is It Worth It in 2026?
Adding a hot tub or sauna to your Airbnb can dramatically boost bookings and nightly rates — but only if you do it right. Here's exactly when it makes sense, what it costs, and which amenity wins on Airbnb's platform.
September 15, 2022 · 10 min read
The top 6 things I learned from almost getting scammed by Student Works…
James Svetec nearly dismissed Student Works as a scam. Instead, it became one of the best decisions of his life. Here are the 6 lessons that shaped his path to entrepreneurship.
September 14, 2022 · 8 min read
Sunken Cost Bias in Real Estate
Sunk cost bias is one of the most expensive psychological traps a real estate Airbnb host can fall into. Here's how it plays out in short-term rental investing — and how to make sure it doesn't derail your portfolio.
September 13, 2022 · 10 min read