How an Ex-Space Force Engineer Bought a $2.45M Motel With 10% Down | Jordan Malara E67

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Jan 20, 2026

Jordan Malara, a former U.S. Space Force engineer, now co-founder of Springs Hospitality, shares his journey from engineering to hospitality. He reveals insights from purchasing a 27-key motel for $2.45M, emphasizing the importance of conservative underwriting and understanding hidden costs like CapEx. Jordan discusses effective financing strategies, the crucial upgrades that enhance guest experiences, and how he uses outsourced revenue management to streamline operations. His unique perspective blends creativity and analytics, perfect for aspiring hotel investors.

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ANECDOTE

From Space Engineer To Hotel Owner

Jordan left the U.S. Space Force to join short-term rental operations and learn hospitality firsthand.
That transition led him to prefer hotels for scale, efficiency, and the ability to craft a single property story.

ADVICE

Buy Properties With Updated Mechanicals

Do prioritize properties with updated mechanicals to keep renovation budgets focused on cosmetics.
Do combine persistent negotiation, seller financing, and small unit additions to improve deal math.

ADVICE

Pay For Staff Who Protect Reviews

Avoid aggressive employee-light cuts if staff drive reviews; keep or pay up for quality service.
Retain proven on-site managers because they rescue reviews and operational issues daily.

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Most first-time motel buyers don't lose money on the purchase price. They lose it by underestimating CapEx, guessing on underwriting, and assuming they can "market" their way to higher occupancy. That's how people get smoked.

In this episode, you'll learn a simple, real-world way to sanity-check a value-add motel deal, including what "light reno" actually costs per key and which levers really move ADR.

My guest is Jordan Malara, an ex-Space Force engineer who went from managing short-term rentals to building a 60+ key hotel portfolio in just a few years. He's breaking down his first deal: a 27-key motel he bought for $2.45M with $500K in renovations, using SBA 7(a) and seller financing.

What you'll learn:

Why "$20K per key" is a better starting point than your optimistic spreadsheet number
The hidden CapEx that blows budgets: sprinklers, fire systems, laundry equipment, and code compliance work
Jordan's 60% expense ratio sanity check, and why occupancy lifts are way harder than you think
How he structured SBA 7(a) + seller financing in second position (and what made the seller say yes)
The upgrades that paid back fastest: amenities, lobby experience, and staff, not bathrooms
How he outsources revenue management and bookkeeping globally without bloating payroll

If you got value from this episode, share it with one friend who wants to buy a hotel. And if you want to talk through a deal, email me at info@hotelinvestorplaybook.com.

About Jordan

Jordan Malara is a former U.S. Space Force engineer turned hospitality entrepreneur who transitioned from managing satellite operations to building a high-performing portfolio of boutique hotels. Previously the Director of Operations for Renjoy, where he oversaw 180+ short-term rentals, Jordan co-founded Springs Hospitality to apply engineering-level systems to the revitalization of undervalued assets like the Adventure Inn Durango. He specializes in leveraging creative financing and narrative-driven branding to transform distressed properties into thriving community hubs, teaching investors how to scale from residential units to commercial hospitality with operational discipline.

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