In this Episode, Matt welcomes Blue from Funk It Interiors to discuss financial freedom and wealth acceleration via short-term rental investing. Blue shares his journey that began during COVID-19, when he and his partner Bridge, both recent college graduates, found themselves needing to get creative with their career paths. They started by flipping items from Goodwill and then moved on to Airbnb arbitrage. Blue emphasizes the importance of design and good mentorship in succeeding with real estate investments. They touched on how important it is to cater to niches, such as the bachelorette market in Nashville, which helped them stand out in a competitive market. Blue highlights the ROI of proper property design, both interior and exterior, detailing how it can place properties in the top 90th percentile, leading to higher revenues and occupancy rates. He also talks about joining a community for support and guidance. The conversation shifts to their experience working with Rob, integrating unique designs for various properties, including a cowboy-themed Airbnb in Austin. Blue stresses the significance of having a comprehensive approach to property investment from the outset to ensure long-term success and minimize the fear of not getting bookings. They also discuss the future of short-term rentals in light of increasing institutional investments and the rising competition. Blue's key advice to new investors is to join a community, take calculated risks, and put 100% effort into their investments straight away. The episode wraps up with a call to action for aspiring real estate investors to get in touch with Funk It Interiors for help with their properties.

00:00 Welcome to the Podcast

00:32 Blue's Journey into Real Estate

02:00 Starting with Goodwill and Facebook Marketplace

02:51 Venturing into Airbnb Arbitrage

06:41 The Van Life Adventure

09:47 Nashville Arbitrage and TikTok Fame

10:58 Challenges and Opportunities in Nashville

14:03 Moving to Austin and Meeting Rob

19:10 Launching Funkit Interiors

21:44 Client Success Stories

22:07 The Importance of Design and Furnishing

23:12 Competing in the Short-Term Rental Market

24:49 Personal Experience with Property Listings

26:48 Institutional Investments in Short-Term Rentals

30:19 Role Play: Evaluating a Property

38:30 Design Services and Cost Structures

43:11 Final Advice for New Investors