Mathieu Bourgouin, a Canadian real estate investor and agent from Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, started investing in the U.S. in 2014. His journey began in Florida and then expanded to Pittsburgh, including ventures in wholesaling and mobile home parks. He has now transitioned primarily to short-term rental properties in Florida.

• Initial Investments: Mathieu found U.S. properties more affordable than Canadian ones. His first investments were in lower-value properties in Pittsburgh that provided good cash flow but were challenging to refinance due to their low value. As the Pittsburgh market appreciated, he sold many properties and shifted his focus.

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• Transition to Florida: Mathieu moved his investments to Florida, particularly Orlando, capitalizing on the strong year-round demand driven by Disney World and tourism. Short-term rentals appealed to him due to higher returns and fewer tenant-related issues compared to long-term rentals.

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• Investment Strategies:

o He emphasized creative financing methods like seller financing and targeting properties with opportunities for value-add or optimization.

o Mathieu noted the importance of working with realtors to find deals that meet his criteria.

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• Short-Term Rental Tips:

o Focus on properties in tourist-friendly areas with strong zoning for short-term rentals.

o Look for amenities like community pools and recreational facilities that add value.

o Optimize property performance through better marketing, like using custom websites and leveraging tools like Facebook pixels.

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• Operational Insights: The rise of apps and automation tools has made managing short-term rentals much easier, from finding cleaners to managing bookings. This has reduced costs for property management, which can now be as low as 15%.

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• Selling Optimized Properties: Short-term rental properties can be sold as turnkey investments with higher value when optimized for income, appealing to buyers who want passive income without additional setup.

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• Key Lesson: Invest in areas where you enjoy spending time. This ensures a more enjoyable experience if visits for management or oversight are required.

The conversation highlights the evolution of short-term rentals and the importance of adapting strategies to market conditions.