Making Millions in Rentals: Parker’s Path to Financial Freedom
Today on Real Money, I had the pleasure of speaking with Parker Barovsky, a real estate lender with Movement Mortgage. Not only is Parker a superstar in lending, but she also owns 12 of her own short-term rentals. In this episode, we discuss how she got started with her first property, what to look for in buying your first property, how to assess whether or not that property could be the right fit for you, and how to grow.
As a woman who is interested in real estate, I found Parker’s insights to be particularly valuable. She shares advice for potential homebuyers and discusses the role of women in the real estate industry. If you’re looking for a trustworthy, down-to-earth conversation that will help you get started with short-term rentals or real estate in general, be sure to listen to my conversation with Parker.
Parker’s Real Estate Journey
Parker’s journey in real estate began after graduating in 2001 when she landed a job in timeshare marketing. She worked in this industry for 10 years, traveling to different places with her family. When she settled in Tennessee, her husband got a job as an electronic engineer, which allowed her to explore other options. She bought a house and found the whole process of buying a property interesting, which led her to pursue a career in real estate.
Parker started in lending and quickly learned that there is a lot of gray area in the rules and regulations. She discovered that things aren’t always what they seem, and her solution-oriented approach helped her find ways to make things happen. She encourages everyone, especially women, to think outside the box and not necessarily follow the written guidelines.
Parker’s team knows how to navigate the lending process and negotiate with underwriters to get the best deals for their clients. They establish a relationship with their clients and explain the lending process to them, making it less intimidating and more accessible. Parker encourages her clients to ask questions and work with someone who will explain things to them.
Getting Started with Short-Term Rentals
First Property Acquisition
When it comes to acquiring your first property for short-term rentals, there are a few key factors to consider. Firstly, you want to make sure the property is in a desirable location that attracts tourists or business travelers. This will help ensure a steady stream of bookings and income. Additionally, the property should be in good condition and have amenities that appeal to guests, such as a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable furnishings, and reliable Wi-Fi.
Assessing Property Fit
Before purchasing a property, it’s important to assess whether or not it’s the right fit for short-term rentals. This involves looking at the property’s potential rental income, occupancy rates, and any regulations or restrictions in the area. It’s also important to consider the costs associated with owning and operating the property, such as maintenance, utilities, and taxes.
Growth Strategies
Once you’ve acquired your first property and established a successful short-term rental business, it’s time to think about growth strategies. This may involve acquiring additional properties in desirable locations, expanding your marketing efforts, and optimizing your pricing and booking strategies. It’s important to continually assess and adjust your strategies to ensure continued success in the short-term rental market.
By keeping these factors in mind and staying up-to-date on industry trends and regulations, you can successfully enter and thrive in the short-term rental market.
Women in Real Estate
Dominance and Performance
Parker has noticed that women tend to dominate the space, especially on the agent and mortgage side. She says it’s exciting to see that most of the top performers are typically women. However, there are some men sprinkled in there too.
When Parker first got into real estate, she worked as a loan officer. She quickly learned that there are many gray areas in the industry, and not everything is black and white. For example, the guidelines say that the maximum debt-to-income ratio is 43%, but in reality, there’s a tolerance up to 50%. With VA loans, the guidelines state that the maximum debt-to-income ratio is 41%, but she has gotten a VA approval up to 65% debt-to-income ratio.
Parker now teaches a 20-hour course that allows her clients, especially women, to explore these gray areas and to establish a relationship with a lender and ask questions. It’s important to work with someone who will explain things to you and navigate the industry’s complexities. If something doesn’t feel right, talk to a few different loan officers and trust your gut.
Conclusion
We’ve seen recently on the Real Money Podcast that women are dominating in the real estate industry and Parker is a great example of this. Not only is she a short term rental owner, but she knows the lending process and is helping other women navigate the gray areas of the industry. Watch the other recent Real Money episodes to learn more about real estate from other experts as well!