Cheryl Benjamin On 85383, Flagstaff & Running a Profitable Airbnb Business 

In real estate, when you look at the changing interest rates and home prices in isolation, you might just think it’s a bad time to buy. But if you step back and look at the whole picture, you’ll realize that getting into a home puts you in a win-win position in just about any market condition. 

Every objection and con to buying a home right now is completely overshadowed by the massive pros of owning real estate. 

Homes may not be appreciating at 30% but that doesn’t mean they aren’t appreciating at all. Rentals have skyrocketed in recent months, so being a tenant isn’t an advantage right now. Owning a home makes buying the next one so much easier, and you have the opportunity to offset your expenses through Airbnbs and long-term rentals. The market may be different, but that doesn’t mean the opportunities go away. 

Cheryl Benjamin actually believes this is an exciting real estate market, in this episode she talks about her favorite areas in Arizona, 85383 and Flagstaff. She also shares how she’s earning income through Airbnbs and how easy it can be to run a short-term rental operation. 

You’ll also learn;

• The 3 boxes a home needs to tick to sell in this market 
• What buyers really want right now 
• What you need to ask an agent before you hire them 
• Why owning real estate beats renting in today’s market

Key Points 

The great thing about this current market (05:43 – 12:22)

The market we were in before wasn’t the kindest to buyers. There was no room for negotiation, no room for seller concessions and a very small window of time to decide if a home was right for them. Everything about buying a home was stressful, rushed and even forced, and it felt like you had to throw everything at the wall to even get into a home. Now, buyers have options and time so they don’t hve to just take whatever is on the market. 

Unfortunately the change in buyer’s fortunes also means things have changed for sellers – but that doesn’t mean that homes won’t sell. It just means if you make your home as move-in ready as possible, you’ll find buyers. If you’re a seller in this market, it’s no longer as simple as selling your home at the highest price. Now more than ever, price, location, and condition are what’s going to sell your home. If you don’t have one of those, you better blow the other two out of the water. 

85383 and Flagstaff: why Cheryl loves them (12:34 – 19:06)

North West Valley has a lot going for it – the $21 billion TSMC factory is going to drive a growth in housing and commercial real estate. If you’re looking for bigger parcels of land that you can develop and great schools, it’s a great area to consider.

Cheryl also enjoys getting up to Flagstaff – it’s a nice drive up the I-17 and the area offers community activities and engagement, cooler temperatures, and a nice downtown feel. 

Don’t overlook the Airbnb opportunity (19:08 – 26:57)

Owning real estate isn’t just about living there, in many locations, you can turn a second home or the home you owned before into an Airbnb or Vrbo. Many people vacationing actually prefer a short-term rental over a hotel, and you could actually offset a mortgage payment (and even end up with extra money) by converting it over to a short-term rental. 

Even in this market, buying a home is a good idea, especially considering how high rents are. You could actually end up paying less by getting into a mortgage, and on top of that, you have an asset that gives you a huge boost in wealth.

Guest Bio 

Cheryl is a full-time/full-service Realtor and the team leader of the Loving Phoenix Team at Real Broker in Glendale, AZ. Originally from Michigan, she’s been living in Arizona since 2002 with her husband. Buying a home is the most important financial decision most people make during their life. From their first home, which often is the basis for future home buys, to their retirement home, it is important to work with a professional who is committed to representing their best interests. 

For more information, go to https://www.lovingphoenixrealty.com/.