Client Profile: Name: Simone Age: 29 Occupation: Social worker Goal: Buy 3 doors by 35 and create passive income for early retirement Location: Kansas City, MO The Situation Simone was renting, saving diligently, and listening to every real estate podcast she could find — but feeling paralyzed about where to start. She was flooded with questions: “Should I house hack […]
Client Profile: Name: Marisol Age: 47 Occupation: Owner of a mobile pet grooming business Goal: Lower taxable income while building long-term wealth Location: Austin, TX The Situation Marisol was making great money from her business — grossing over $185K/year — but when tax season hit, her CPA kept delivering bad news. “I was working hard, but writing huge checks to
Client Profile: Names: Vanessa & Miguel Ages: 44 & 45 Occupations: Event planner and IT consultant Goal: Maximize income from their vacation property Location: Orlando, FL The Situation Vanessa and Miguel purchased a 4-bedroom home 15 minutes from Disney World, intending to rent it short-term on Airbnb. During the first 9 months, they experienced strong summer bookings, but their off-season
If you’re an investor looking to build a short-term rental (STR) from the ground up, there’s a powerful combo that can help you scale fast: use a construction loan to fund the build, then refinance into a DSCR loan once the rental is cash-flowing. This two-step strategy helps you: Finance new construction without traditional income
Refinancing isn’t just about lower payments or shorter terms. It’s about what those savings unlock — and who you get to become because of it. At Stairway Mortgage, we believe your refinance should be part of a bigger story: The story of you building wealth with wisdom, purpose, and power. How Refinancing Can Build Your
Most people think refinancing is just about chasing a lower rate. But the truth? It’s one of the most underused tools for building wealth, reducing risk, and creating long-term financial freedom. At Stairway Mortgage, we don’t just look at what a refinance can save you today — we help you understand how it can serve
1. Budget Realistically for Repairs and Renovations It’s easy to underestimate how quickly renovation costs can add up. Even cosmetic changes like paint and flooring can run thousands—and bigger repairs like plumbing, roofing, or foundation work can blow the budget fast. Before making an offer, get contractor quotes and set aside a buffer for unexpected
If you own property, you don’t just need a title and a will — you need a plan. That plan should include a trust — because trusts aren’t just for the ultra-wealthy. They’re one of the simplest and most powerful tools to: Avoid probate Protect your assets Control what happens to your real estate —
Whether you’re buying your first home or your first investment property, one of the biggest decisions is this: Do you go single-family… or multi-family? Each path has pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your lifestyle, your goals, and your long-term wealth plan. Let’s break down the key differences so you can decide
Short-Term Rental or Long-Term Tenant? Pros & Cons So you’ve got a property (or plan to buy one)… Now you’re wondering: Should I rent it out long-term — or go the Airbnb route? Both strategies can build cash flow. But they’re very different in terms of management, income, and lifestyle. Let’s break it down so
Let’s talk about three of the most misunderstood forces in personal finance — and how they can either drain your wealth or build it faster than anything else: Inflation Interest rates Ownership Most people think rising rates and inflation are bad for buyers. But smart buyers understand the full picture — and how ownership protects