Welcome to today’s post, where I’m excited to share a fascinating conversation with none other than Zeona McIntyre, the queen of midterm rentals 🏡👑. We had an incredible discussion on everything from midterm and short-term rentals to creative financing strategies. Zeona has seen it all, and today, we’re diving deep into her journey in real estate and how she’s leveraged her knowledge to help buyers and sellers in unique ways.

The Journey of Constant Evolution
Zeona’s story is one of continuous growth. From starting out as a real estate investor in 2014 to exploring co-hosting, arbitrage, and becoming a licensed agent, she has worn every hat in the real estate world 🎩.

One of the things Zeona emphasized is the importance of evolving in business. It’s common to feel like making shifts is wrong, but, as she puts it, it’s a necessary part of being successful. “I get bored, and I need to be challenged,” Zeona shares, explaining that her constant drive to learn and try new things is what keeps her moving forward. And while there are moments of fear and uncertainty, she has developed the tools to push through them, proving that discomfort can be a catalyst for success 🚀.

Fear and Growth Go Hand in Hand
If you’re like me, the fear of stepping out of your comfort zone can be real 😱. But Zeona’s experience reminds us that it’s okay to be fearful—as long as you keep moving. When she began experimenting with Airbnb back in 2011, it wasn’t a household name yet. In fact, she only started because a friend made $50,000 off his New York City apartment, which encouraged her to give it a shot. What began as a small venture has since grown into an expansive real estate empire.

Creative Financing: A Key to Real Estate Success
One of the most valuable things we discussed was how Zeona is blending her real estate experience with creative financing techniques like subject-to deals. For those unfamiliar with subject-to, it’s where the buyer takes over the seller’s mortgage payments. This creative approach has allowed Zeona to navigate high-interest-rate environments while still securing great deals 💼💡.

Zeona’s advice? Listen carefully to what sellers want, and find ways to meet them where they are. Often, offering full price or a balloon payment (an agreed-upon lump sum after a certain period) can sweeten the deal. You don’t need 20 years to pay off a mortgage—sometimes, 3-5 years is enough to navigate tricky financial waters and refinance when the market is more favorable 🌊📈.