How Cynthia and Chris Hanson Built Their Portfolio From Scottsdale to the Smokies
Mar 5, 2025
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Join Cynthia and Chris Hanson, a dynamic couple from Mesa, Arizona, as they share their journey in short-term rental management. With Cynthia's 25 years in hospitality and Chris's engineering background, they discuss their strategic property choices from Scottsdale to the Smokies. Learn how they navigated the pandemic-driven rental boom, tackled local regulations, and discovered the charm of condo living. Plus, they reveal future plans for beach investments and the importance of risk-taking in real estate. A must-listen for aspiring investors!
Cynthia's background in hospitality management greatly facilitated their successful transition into short-term rental investments and property management.
Their journey emphasizes the necessity of adapting investment strategies to market conditions while managing properties directly for greater income.
Deep dives
The Initial Leap into Short-Term Rentals
The hosts share their journey into short-term rental investing, beginning with their purchase of a one-bedroom condo in Old Town Scottsdale in 2014. Initially intended for long-term rental, they transitioned into Airbnb after discovering favorable HOA regulations and the potential for higher income from short-term rentals. Following this success, they expanded their portfolio by buying another condo in the same complex in 2020, stabilizing their rental systems. Their journey highlights the importance of seizing opportunities and adapting investment strategies in favorable market conditions.
Statistics and Market Impacts
Their first Scottsdale condo, purchased for $114,900, now sells for around $300,000, showcasing significant market appreciation over the years. Currently, each property generates approximately $40,000 annually, benefitting from a strong seasonal demand due to events and tourism in the area. They discuss the volatility of the market, particularly how many investors missed out on opportunities due to waiting for ideal circumstances, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of real estate investments. This trend reflects the importance of acting decisively rather than falling into analysis paralysis.
Navigating the Smoky Mountains Market
The couple diversified their portfolio by investing in a two-bedroom cabin in the Smoky Mountains in 2021, facing competitive bidding challenges. They initially partnered with a rental company for management but faced dissatisfaction with their service, prompting a complete renovation after transitioning to direct management. This investment grossed around $86,000 annually, showcasing the demand in the area despite market fluctuations. Their experience underlines the importance of adapting to the local market and managing properties directly for better income.
Balancing Long-Term Vision in Short-Term Rentals
Both hosts emphasize the significance of viewing short-term rentals as a long-term investment strategy rather than a quick profit venture. They advocate for thorough market research and readiness to tackle challenges, including hospitality management, to ensure success. Their insights reveal that while rental income might fluctuate, property appreciation over time provides a financial cushion. The discussion further highlights the dual pathway that short-term rentals offer: income generation while accumulating valuable real estate assets.
In this episode of The Short Term Show, Avery welcomes Cynthia and Chris Hanson, a couple based in Mesa, Arizona, who currently own and manage three properties. Cynthia shares her background in hospitality management and how that has helped make the transition into STRs more seamless. They also share the story of how they chose their properties in each market and where they're looking to expand next.
For more information on how to get into short term rentals, read Avery’s Book, Short-Term Rental, Long-Term Wealth: Your Guide to Analyzing, Buying, and Managing Vacation Properties