62. First Airbnb, Should you Invest Local or Long Distance?
- Link: Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator Course
- Link to the Airbnb Roadmap Website
Episode Summary
In this episode, I’m diving into one of the biggest questions new short term rental investors ask me all the time. Should you buy your first Airbnb close to home or invest long distance in a stronger market?
After a week of Airbnb chaos and dishwasher drama, I also share why I took a short break from the podcast and what that experience reminded me about time, systems, and running your rental like a business.
I walk through the real pros and cons of both strategies, including why long distance investing can actually force you to build better systems, how a strong team becomes the backbone of your Airbnb business, and why investing close to home can sometimes create more work than you expect.
If you’re trying to decide where to buy your first Airbnb property, this episode will help you think through the decision from a practical, real world perspective.
Key Takeaways
Close by properties feel convenient, but they can pull you into doing everything yourself.
Long distance properties force you to build systems and rely on your small but mighty team.
Your cleaner, handyman, lawn care provider, and even neighbors can become critical partners in running your Airbnb.
Property management software can automate guest communication and reduce your daily workload.
Your time has value, driving hours to fix small issues may cost more than paying someone locally.
For first time investors, owning a property nearby can help you learn the operations before scaling further away.
Successful Airbnb businesses rely on systems, processes, and trusted people.
Why Listen to This Episode?
If you are thinking about buying your first short term rental, location is one of the most important decisions you will make.
In this episode I share real experiences from managing properties within a few hours of home, including the good, the frustrating, and the lessons learned along the way. You will learn how distance affects your systems, your time, and your mindset as an Airbnb host.
Whether you plan to invest locally or across the country, understanding these differences can help you build a more sustainable Airbnb business.
Let’s Connect
Thinking about where to buy your first Airbnb? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your progress. I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.
Work With Me
If you want step by step guidance on finding, launching, and managing your own short term rental, check out my Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator course.
Inside the course I walk you through:
Finding the right Airbnb property
Running the numbers and evaluating ROI
Designing and furnishing your rental
Building your team and automating systems
Launching and optimizing your listing
Learn more here:
https://theairbnbroadmap.com
Chapters
0:00 Life update and why I skipped last week
3:00 The dishwasher chaos continues
6:20 The big question, local vs long distance Airbnb investing
7:30 Why long distance investing can actually work better
11:00 Running your Airbnb like a business
12:00 The convenience trap of nearby rentals
14:30 Time vs money for Airbnb owners
16:00 Who should be your local contact person
18:30 Cleaners, handymen, and neighbors as your team
21:30 Would I buy long distance for my first Airbnb
23:30 Why local investing can still be valuable
26:00 Final thoughts on choosing the right strategy
Subscribe and Share
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And if you know someone who is thinking about starting their first Airbnb, send this episode their way. It might help them make one of the biggest decisions in their investing journey.
