Airbnb isn’t “easy money” anymore — competition is real, and standing out takes an actual system.

In this episode of the REalized Gains Podcast, Steven Tran and Jordan Lee sit down with Don Luong (Portland native; lending professional turned short-term rental operator) to break down what it really takes to build and manage a profitable Airbnb portfolio in the Portland metro.

Don shares his playbook for evaluating a new Airbnb market (including how he studies comparable listings, upgrades the guest experience, and validates demand with tools like AirDNA), plus the operational reality of running 6–7 listings across Beaverton, Hillsboro, and beyond. You’ll hear how he scaled from using a 25% property manager to self-managing with systems, cleaners, and dynamic pricing (PriceLabs), why interior design + pro photos matter more than most hosts admit, and how minimum-night rules + pricing strategy can reduce party risk while improving guest quality.

We also get into Portland’s STR regulations vs. Washington County flexibility (one reason Don focused on Beaverton), the types of guests that actually book suburban Airbnbs (family visits, remodel displacement, insurance stays, visiting colleges), and the difference between short-term rentals vs. mid-term rentals for steady cashflow.

If you’re thinking about buying your first Airbnb, turning a primary residence into a short-term rental, or hiring a co-host/property manager — this episode will save you months of trial and error.

Guest: Don Luong — Stumptown Rental Homes

Website: StumptownRentalHomes.com

Topics covered: Airbnb strategy, Beaverton & Hillsboro short-term rentals, pricing, cleaning ops, reviews, risk management, and scaling a co-hosting business.

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