BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast Why This Expert Investor Owns Only ONE Rental Property
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Nov 24, 2025 Mike Baum, a real estate investor and key contributor on BiggerPockets, shares the remarkable journey of how a single rental property transformed his life after a disability ended his Intel career. He discusses why owning one lucrative short-term rental is enough for him, revealing that success doesn't require a large portfolio. Mike emphasizes his meticulous guest vetting process, the systems he implemented for hassle-free management, and his advice for new investors to focus on multiunit properties instead of chasing every trend.
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Disability Sparked A New Path
- Mike Baum lost much of his vision after overworking at Intel and was placed on long-term disability.
- That life change pushed him to seek alternative income and later into real estate and short-term rentals.
Lake House Became A Business
- Mike turned a family vacation home into a short-term rental on Lake Coeur d'Alene to avoid it sitting empty most of the year.
- BiggerPockets' community and resources convinced him short-term renting the lake house was viable.
Automate With Robust Processes
- Build strong processes and maintenance schedules before self-managing a short-term rental.
- Hire reliable local trades and cleaners to prevent small issues from becoming big guest problems.