How it started
Eric, previously an elementary school principal, left his job due to the politicization of education during COVID-19. He wanted to pursue something different and leverage his experience in raising the Net Operating Income (NOI) of businesses. His interest in real estate grew after a conversation with a real estate lender. He then invested significantly in educating himself about real estate. He began with wholesaling, but found it wasn't progressing as quickly as he desired. This led him to explore Airbnb arbitrage, where he quickly found success.
How it's going
Initially successful with Airbnb arbitrage, Eric faced challenges as rents, interest rates, and inflation climbed, making it difficult to maintain profitability, especially as property owners started demanding premiums for Airbnb rentals. He also noted a decrease in discretionary spending on travel due to the end of government stimulus. He branched out to San Antonio but found it a "totally different beast" compared to Waco, experiencing theft in his properties there.
Currently, his business is solvent and covering operational costs, but he's not generating enough to pay down his personal credit card debt, which he maxed out while furnishing Airbnbs and educating himself. His day-to-day challenges include needing more time to accomplish tasks and prioritizing his numerous ideas, focusing on revenue-generating activities. His motivation comes from his family (wife and two children) and his belief in himself. He has found that while people initially offer help, support tends to diminish once a business is established, making him realize he largely has to rely on himself.
Eric's current goals are to expand his Airbnb listings to eight, get his property management company to between 50 and 75 doors with a plan for an exit strategy, and ultimately become a commercial real estate syndicator. The latter involves raising significant capital (three to $30 million) and will require initial partnerships to learn the process. He is also actively working to address housing needs in his area, specifically for veterans and registered sex offenders, demonstrating a commitment to using his business to solve community problems. He aims to be a "one-stop shop" for real estate needs, offering services from selling and buying to remodeling and finding tenants, emphasizing his resourcefulness and creativity.
Why Revenued
Eric was attracted to Revenued because, after maxing out personal credit cards for business expenses, he needed a way to build his business credit score. He uses the Revenued Business Card for small expenses (around $100-$150) and pays them off quickly to build a positive credit history. He considers Revenued's reporting to credit bureaus for business credit scores as the most significant benefit. He also appreciates the transparent application process, the direct access to support through text and phone calls, and the clear communication about expectations. Additionally, Eric contrasts this with other online capital sources that lack transparency and direct communication. Lastly, he encourages other Revenued users to explore the in-app feature that displays their Dun & Bradstreet business credit score, which he plans to do himself.
About the Industry
The real estate investment industry continues to evolve as entrepreneurs explore diverse strategies such as Airbnb arbitrage, property management, and commercial real estate syndication. Small business owners in this space often require flexible funding to cover upfront costs like property acquisition, furnishing rentals, and managing renovations. With rising rents, interest rates, and inflation, access to business credit and alternative funding solutions has become critical for maintaining cash flow and scaling operations. Building strong business credit is especially valuable for real estate investors looking to secure larger financing for long-term growth and syndication opportunities.
