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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the REalized Gains Podcast, Steven & Jordan sit down with Jayselle Poblete to talk about her journey from working in real estate development in Washington, D.C. to relocating to Portland and ultimately starting her own HVAC company, Stellar HVAC.

Jayselle shares what it was like transitioning between markets, continuing her career in development, and making the pivotal decision to build a business that gave her more flexibility and time with her daughter. She walks through the realities of starting an HVAC company, from learning the technical side of the industry to managing operations, hiring, and growth.

This conversation dives into the intricacies of the HVAC business, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the mindset required to step away from a traditional career path to build something of your own. Jayselle’s story offers valuable insight for anyone considering starting a service-based business or balancing career ambition with family priorities.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, real estate professional, or someone curious about building a business from the ground up, this episode is packed with real-world lessons and honest perspective you won’t want to miss.

#REalizedGainsPodcast #Entrepreneurship #HVACBusiness #SmallBusinessOwner #WomenInBusiness #PortlandOregon #BusinessOwnership

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the REalized Gains Podcast, Steven & Jordan sit down with Portland-area real estate agent Tiana Javier of eXp Realty. Tiana shares her journey from starting in Beaverton to now building a thriving business in Ridgefield, WA. As a mom and full-time Realtor, she talks about being the “school bus agent” for local families, helping clients through life transitions like divorce, and guiding new agents as a mentor.

Whether you’re a parent balancing career and family, a new agent finding your footing, or just curious about what it takes to build a meaningful real estate business, Tiana’s story is full of inspiration and practical wisdom.

#REalizedGainsPodcast #PortlandRealEstate #RealtorLife #eXpRealty #RealEstateTips #WashingtonRealEstate #WomenInRealEstate #RealEstateMentor

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.