#225: Why Short-Term Rental Investors Are Playing the Wrong Game — Bill Faeth

Most short-term rental investors chase the same popular markets, list on Airbnb, and hope for the best. Bill Faeth built a completely different system — and it's generating results most STR investors never see. In this episode, Chris sits down with Bill Faeth — USA Today best-selling author, serial entrepreneur with 43 startups, and one of the most creative short-term rental investors in the country. Bill owns properties across 7 markets, has flipped 27 homes generating over $3 million in net profit, and built an AI-powered research system that identifies undervalued STR markets before the crowd arrives. His approach to short-term rentals is unlike anything you've heard on this show. In this episode you'll learn: Why Bill targets secondary and tertiary markets near major attractions instead of competing in saturated destinations How he identifies markets experiencing "pain" — and why that's exactly where the opportunity lives His AI-powered research system that goes beyond T12 metrics — examining economic development, zoning changes, and city council minutes His four-part investment framework: cash flow, appreciation rate, debt paydown, and tax benefits Why he negotiates with 10–12 banking options on every single deal How he turned a $1.6 million property in Banner Elk, NC into a high-producing super property without expensive amenities His repositioning strategy — moving a $400K property to $600K, then to $900K–$1M at sale Why he's targeting 70% direct bookings within 18–24 months and how he's getting there How he diversifies across 7 markets to ensure year-round revenue His 35,000-member Facebook community and two books: Two Extra Steps and Super Properties If you own or are thinking about short-term rentals — this episode will completely change how you look at the market. 🔗 Connect with Bill Faeth: Instagram: @billfaeth73 Facebook: Bill Faeth Facebook Group (35,000 members): https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1DB4GDYbwk/ LinkedIn: Bill Faeth 📖 Two Extra Steps: https://www.amazon.com/Two-Extra-Steps-Unfair-Anyone/dp/1637749163/ 📖 Super Properties: https://www.amazon.com/Super-Properties-Step-Step-Investment/dp/B0FH31LQJR/ 🎙️ Follow Chris: Instagram: @chris.reichenbach Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.reichenbach.2025/ #ShortTermRentals #RealEstateInvesting #LeadwayPodcast #RealEstatePodcast #WealthBuilding #AirbnbInvesting #SuperProperties #BillFaeth #RealEstateStrategy #PassiveIncome #FinancialFreedom #Entrepreneurship #EscapeThe9to5 #AIRealEstate #DirectBookings #VacationRentals #RealEstateInvestor #BuildingWealth #STRInvesting #RealEstateTips