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Homes selling at a loss πŸ“‰

+ Airbnb for community building and TikTok ambush

Here's your daily roundup:

  • Investors are facing a challenging market, with a significant number of homes selling at a loss πŸ“‰

  • Airbnb's CEO, Brian Chesky, shares his thoughts on the "loneliest time in human history" and the need to rebuild physical communities. πŸ™οΈ

  • Airbnb cleverly ambushes Booking.com's TikTok campaign, showcasing the importance of innovative marketing strategies. 🎯

  • πŸ”₯ Deal of the Day! πŸ”₯: 2 bd | 1 ba | Oxford, ME

🏠 The Flip Side of Real Estate Investing

The real estate market has always been a playground for investors, with the buy-and-flip model being a popular strategy. However, recent trends suggest a shift in the winds. Investors are finding themselves on the losing end of the deal in approximately one out of every seven homes they sell.

Skyrocketing house prices and elevated mortgage rates in certain U.S. cities have led to a decrease in homebuyer demand. This has forced investors to sell homes at a loss. A recent report by Redfin reveals that in March, investors lost money on roughly 13.5% of the homes they sold. This is a stark contrast to the overall U.S. homes, where only 4.8% sold at a loss.

The situation was even more dire in February, where investors experienced losses on 14.5% of homes sold. This was the highest rate since 2016 and a far cry from the record monthly low of 2.8% in May 2022. The first quarter of 2023 saw real estate investors purchasing 48.6% fewer homes compared to the previous year. This decline is the largest annual drop on record, surpassing the 40.7% decrease in overall home purchases in the major metros Redfin tracks.

The hardest-hit market was Phoenix, where just over 30% of homes sold by investors incurred losses. Following closely were Las Vegas, 28%; Jacksonville, Florida, 20.9%; Sacramento, California, 20.2%; and Charlotte, North Carolina, 17.4%.

However, it's not all doom and gloom for investors. Despite the current trend, many real estate investors continue to achieve gains from buying and selling homes, even in cooling housing markets. According to Redfin data, the typical investor sold a home in March for 45.9% ($145,714) more than the purchase price.

But what if the traditional buy-and-flip model isn't working? There are alternative approaches to consider. One such approach is investing in vacation rentals. With Americans opting for longer and more luxurious vacations, investing in vacation rentals could be a lucrative option. Jurny, an AI-enabled hospitality platform, is revolutionizing the short-term rental industry and reported a staggering 100% increase in daily active users since the launch of JurnyOS 2.0 last month.

As real estate investors, it's crucial to adapt to market changes and explore alternative avenues. The current market conditions may be challenging, but they also present opportunities for those willing to think outside the box.

🌐 Building Communities in the Loneliest Era

Airbnb CEO, Brian Chesky, recently shared his perspective on the current state of human connection, or rather, the lack thereof. He expressed his belief that we are living in the "loneliest time in human history" and emphasized the need to "rebuild physical community."

Chesky pointed out that traditional gathering places such as offices, malls, movie theaters, churches, and even bowling alleys are losing their significance as hubs of social interaction. The rise of remote work, online shopping, and digital entertainment has led to a decrease in physical gatherings. However, Chesky insists that the need for community and physical togetherness remains.

He proposed a solution that involves rethinking city zoning practices. The current model, which separates commercial, retail, and residential districts, could be transformed into a more integrated, mixed-use approach. This could involve repurposing struggling commercial real estate into residential or mixed-use spaces. According to a report from MSCI Real Assets, troubled assets in the U.S. commercial real estate sector climbed to nearly $64 billion in the first quarter.

Chesky also suggested that cities should encourage the creation of more community spaces, such as co-working spaces, to foster a sense of connection among remote workers. He believes that vibrant communities are multi-zone communities, where people live and work in the same area, creating a constant buzz of activity.

Interestingly, Chesky's own company, Airbnb, has embraced the remote work trend. The company introduced a "Live and Work Anywhere" policy, allowing employees to choose their work location and even work up to 90 days in other countries.

The current era may be marked by increased loneliness and isolation, but Chesky's insights offer a potential path forward. By reimagining our cities and our workspaces, we can foster a sense of community and connection, even in a digital age.

πŸ’₯ Airbnb's TikTok Takedown

In the competitive landscape of online accommodation booking, brands are constantly seeking innovative ways to outsmart their rivals. A recent example of this is Airbnb's strategic move against Booking.com, using the power of TikTok to launch an ambush marketing campaign.

The term "ambush marketing" refers to a strategy where a brand capitalizes on the publicity of a popular event or campaign without being an official sponsor. In this case, Airbnb leveraged the popularity of Booking.com's TikTok campaign to their advantage.

Booking.com had launched a TikTok campaign with the hashtag #BookingYeah, encouraging users to share their travel experiences. However, Airbnb saw an opportunity in this and decided to ride the wave. They created a TikTok account with the username @BookingYeah and started posting content promoting Airbnb.

This clever move allowed Airbnb to hijack the visibility and engagement that Booking.com's campaign was generating. Users searching for the #BookingYeah hashtag or @BookingYeah username on TikTok were inadvertently exposed to Airbnb's content, effectively turning Booking.com's campaign into a promotional tool for Airbnb.

This strategy showcases the importance of securing brand-related usernames and hashtags across all social media platforms. It also highlights the potential of platforms like TikTok for brand promotion and the need for brands to stay ahead of the curve in their marketing strategies.

πŸ”₯ Deal of the Day! πŸ”₯

With its unique location on an esker between Whitney and Hogan Ponds, breathtaking views, and private beach, this charming off-grid cabin in Oxford, Maine, offers a tranquil and picturesque setting that vacationers seeking a serene getaway would absolutely adore.

Airdna data:

Estimated monthly payment: $1,900/month

Estimated monthly revenue: $6,500/month

Cashflow excludes additional operating expenses. Always confirm local regulations, HOAs and permits before purchasing a property.

That's all for today, folks! Remember, the world of real estate is always evolving, so keep your finger on the pulse and stay ahead of the game. πŸš€