FF116 The Ultimate House Hack: 700 SQFT ADU & 3 Master Suites w/ Karen Lombardo

The Landlord Diaries

Unlock the secrets of the ultimate house hack in this week’s episode of The Landlord Diaries! Join us as Karen Lombardo shares her journey of transforming her property into a real estate goldmine. From a 700 sqft ADU to three hotel-style master suites, Karen is a master of the mid-term rental (MTR) game. Learn how she’s achieved 100% occupancy using Furnished Finder and why she prefers it over Airbnb.

Discover Karen’s insider tips on designing for MTR success, networking to find undervalued properties, and creating an unforgettable guest experience. Don't miss out on this real estate investing masterclass—perfect for anyone looking to grow their MTR portfolio, hack their housing costs, and generate passive income!

In this episode we cover:

0:00 The Landlord Diaries Intro

1:45 Karen’s journey to house hacking & her midterm rental portfolio

3:05 House Hack Phase 1: 700 sq ft ADU with kitchenette

4:25 Karen’s first tenant stayed 7 months

4:40 MTR Building Decisions: Kitchenette vs. Kitchen

6:30 Know your local laws & have a plan in place before you start your addition(s)

7:30 Preview of Phase 2- Building Three 5* Hotel Master Suites

8:55 The House Hacking Mindset: Landlording from the convenience of your home

9:55 Landlord Diaries content led Karen to buy a 1 bed, 1 bath condo for MTR

14:10 Networking with neighbors led to a 2nd purchase in the same complex that was under market by at least $100k

16:10 Karen’s “hotel style” midterm rental experience w/ weekly linen service & restocking

18:40 Karen sets her price a bit higher than market rate to include her “hotel style” services

19:00 Furnished Finder travelers love seeing 5* reviews & will even book prior to furnishing!

22:45 Why hosts choose to advertise exclusively on Furnished Finder

25:45 Karen’s occupancy rate is 100% with same day flips & guests waiting to move in

27:10 Check out Furnished Finder’s suite of midterm rental booking tools through KeyCheck

27:55 Tenants feel comfortable with KeyCheck’s Tenant Screening process

28:15 Tenants like paying by credit card through KeyCheck to earn points

28:55 House Hack Phase 2: 3 MTR master suites being built at Karen’s home

30:30 “Karenizing” the property- king beds only, California themes & hotel style experience

32:00 5 tips when building an MTR rental

• Lighting & ceiling fans
• Custom closets rather than dressers
• C-shape tables rather than a coffee table
• Envision yourself in the home
• Relax & unwind features

Website Links:

https://www.furnishedfinder.com/

https://www.keycheck.com/

https://www.furnishedfinder.com/members/profile?u=Karen.Lombardo

Text the hosts with questions or comments.

The Landlord Diaries is brought to you by Furnished Finder, where you can list your property for one low price and pay zero booking fees.