Ep.14: From House Hacker to Multifamily Investor: Lessons & Expertise from Julie Aragon

Hacking Real Estate Podcast

Join us for a discussion with Julie Aragon, the not-your-mama's loan officer, as she shares her inspiring journey from accidental house hacker to managing over 25 units in Los Angeles. Listen in as she recounts her story of purchasing her first property in 2004, losing it all in the 2008 crash, and bravely re-entering the real estate market. She reveals the benefits of FHA financing, allowing you to become a real estate investor with just 3.5% down on a duplex, and offers advice to newcomers on how to navigate this volatile industry.

Continuing the conversation, Julie details her shift from seeking security in a primary residence to creating wealth through real estate investments. With an initial down payment of $17,000 in 2015, she skillfully added value to her property before executing a 1031 exchange to an area with greater potential. Hear her strategies for evaluating new markets, spotting opportunities for investment, and understanding the importance of location.
In the latter part of our discussion, we navigate the terrain of short-term rentals, regulations in California, and the potential Airbnb bust. Julie enlightens us on the technicalities of managing a tech stack for short-term rentals and the benefits of automated responses to guest inquiries. She also gives her insights on investment property loans, the current state of the market, and how to approach financing for larger deals. The conversation wraps up with her sharing invaluable tips on finding a great real estate agent and prioritizing appreciation when investing in real estate. Tune in to learn from Julie's experience and gain insights that could guide your own real estate investment journey.
(0:00:00) - Real Estate Investing After Losing Everything
(0:06:16) - Real Estate Investing Strategies and Evaluation
(0:11:22) - Short-Term Rentals and Mortgage Business Conversation
(0:21:46) - Investment Property Loans and Financing Options
(0:26:20) - Inventory and ADU Impact on Housing Market
(0:34:56) - Finding the Right Real Estate Agent
(0:40:32) - Prioritizing Appreciation in Real Estate Investing
About Julie Aragon
The fearless "not your mama's loan officer". She went from accidental house hacker in 2004 to losing it all in the 2008 crash. Today, she manages over 25 units in Los Angeles. Julie has a team and a technology stack that leads the industry and is ranked among the top 100 mortgage brokers nationwide.
@juliearagon on IG
https://aragonlending.com/
https://onlyl.ink/juliearagon/
Real Estate Investing, FHA Financing, Short-Term Rentals, Investment Property Loans, ADU Impact, Housing Market, Real Estate Agent, Appreciation, Cash Flow, Investing Strategies, Market Evaluation, Tech Stack, Automation, Regulations, Airbnb Bust, Loan Officer, House Hacker, 1031 Exchange, Location Value, Inventory, Freddie Mac
@hackingrepod