Our First Airbnb Property: How We Turned a $17,000 Bungalow into a Thriving Investment
Every journey has a beginning, and ours started in 2017 with a bungalow in Arcadia, Florida. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was full of potential—and it was ours. This is the story of how we transformed a neglected property into our first successful Airbnb listing and how it paved the way for our hosting journey.
Finding the Diamond in the Rough
We stumbled upon the bungalow by chance, and at under $17,000, it was too good to pass up. The house was in rough shape—far from move-in ready—but we saw the potential. Arcadia was an up-and-coming town, attracting visitors with its rodeo and unique small-town charm. We took a leap of faith, knowing this could be the start of something special.
The Renovation Journey
With limited funds and big dreams, my husband (boyfriend at the time) and I rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Over the course of nearly four years, we poured our time, energy, and creativity into bringing the bungalow back to life.
Budget-Friendly Creativity: We spent around $35,000 on materials and furnishings, often thrifting or buying secondhand items to save money while adding character to the space.
Learning as We Went: We didn’t have deep pockets or professional experience, so we learned on the job, making mistakes and growing along the way.
A Labor of Love: Every improvement, from fixing structural issues to decorating with thrifted treasures, brought us closer to our vision.
Listing on Airbnb
Once the bungalow was ready, we decided to share it with others. Listing it on Airbnb was both exciting and nerve-wracking. The property was unique, and we hoped it would resonate with travelers. Thankfully, it did! Arcadia’s charm and attractions made it a popular destination, and our bungalow became a cozy retreat for visitors.
A Financial and Personal Milestone
In just over two years of hosting, we made back our investment. The experience taught us so much about hospitality, managing a property, and connecting with guests. It also gave us the confidence to dream bigger.
A New Chapter: The John Brown House
With the funds from selling the bungalow, we purchased the John Brown House in Halifax, North Carolina—a historic property with its own story to tell. Since then, we’ve expanded our Airbnb portfolio, hosting at four different properties and gaining over eight years of hosting experience.
Looking Ahead
The journey hasn’t been without its challenges. From unexpected repairs to navigating guest expectations, we’ve faced roadblocks, but each one has been a learning experience. In future posts, I’ll dive into those challenges, sharing the pros, cons, and lessons learned along the way.
Final Thoughts
Our first Airbnb property was more than just an investment—it was the foundation of our hosting journey. It taught us the value of hard work, creativity, and taking risks. Whether you’re considering starting your own Airbnb or just love a good renovation story, I hope our journey inspires you to take the plunge and create something amazing.
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