This is a very popular question that I keep being asked.
And my answer is absolutely.
While buying real estate, my philosophy is straight:
I typically buy commercial properties because they generate a higher rental yield.
Commercial Properties could be anything:
- Residential Businesses
- Cafes or Restaurants
- Pretty much anything that you give you good cashflows.
The idea is simple:
- Own a business, not a house (or a house that can be turned into a business)
Most people simply buy a house. And that's it.
The only mode of making money: Either they rent or they live in it. Most of such houses are kept locked away and, they generate 0 cash flow.
So far I have purchased multiple commercial properties across Delhi and Gwalior for this reason. In Goa, I bought my first AirBnB property in 2022.
Over the last 2 years, I have bought 5.
AirBnB is a good income source, provided you know WHAT you are doing.
Here are my quick lessons:-
[1] You are likely to lose money on AirBnB properties if you buy super expensive units.
I have seen people buying 10-10Cr Villas,
Hoping to make a generous rental income.
This in most cases is unlikely to work out.
[2] Apartments give the best rental yields.
Villas give the best overall returns (generally speaking).
[3] If you can't lower your management cost of running the AirBnB, you should NOT enter this game.
Pooling resources with your neighbors goes a long way.
If more people in your vicinity are already doing AirBnB, it is much easier to build a system.
Sharing check-in managers, cleaners, etc lowers your cost dramatically.
[4] Buying near Airports is probably the worst decision you would make.
Anything around an Airport would have a massive supply.
If you are yet another 2BHK near an Airport, you are likely to have very low occupancy.
[5] Don't compete with hotels.
When you buy a Villa, You are NOT competing with a standard hotel.
An average standard hotel (in Goa) would sell a room for 2.5K.
A standard 3BHK Villa would cost 7.5K.
If you are buying a Villa, You are NOT really competing with a hotel.
Most people keep on cribbing that their rental yields are low.
And, AirBnB is a horrible business.
Because they pay 1.5Cr for something that is worth 1 Cr.
But in reality:
**If you purchase at good rates and set up businesses on your properties,
**Your rental yield will be high!
Source
- Akshat Shrivastava 19/30 days Newsletter.