The Lo-Down
The Lo-Down brings you conversations with extraordinary individuals from all walks of life who are relentlessly pursuing success. Hosted by Lorenzo Mercado, a registered nurse turned real estate investor, this podcast dives into the stories behind the grind and uncovering the mindset and strategies that drive growth. From entrepreneurs and season investors to business owners and visionaries, every guest shares a unique perspective on what it takes to achieve success. Whether you're building a business, chasing a dream, or striving for personal growth, The Lo-down is your source for inspiration, actionable insights, and the motivation to level up.
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The Lo-Down
Airbnb Arbitrage: How To Make A Million Dollars Without Owning Property | Kevin Leong E33
What if you could build a 184-unit Airbnb portfolio without owning a single property in just two years?
In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Leong, who scaled from 0 to 184 Airbnb arbitrage units in just two years. At his peak, his business pulled in over $1.1M in a single month. After grinding through the early days, Kevin built systems, hired a team of 20+ VAs, and now runs the entire operation in under 10 hours a week.
We dive into how Kevin went from a cannabis warehouse job and side hustles to building one of the fastest-growing Airbnb arbitrage companies out there. He shares the credit card hacks that helped him fund his first deal, the 200+ cold calls it took to land his first “yes,” and the mistakes new operators should avoid.
If you’re into real estate, Airbnb, or just want to learn how to scale a business fast—this one’s a masterclass.
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We talk about:
- How Kevin scaled from 0 to 184 Airbnb arbitrage units in two years
- Using 0% interest credit cards to fund growth
- The grind of 200+ rejections before his first deal
- Building systems and SOPs to scale without burnout
- Hiring VAs and stepping back to a 10-hour workweek
- Why arbitrage can be the perfect stepping stone to long-term wealth
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🎯 Follow Kevin Leong
Instagram: @kevinleong_bnb
🚀 Connect with Lorenzo Mercado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenzo.mercado_/
Website: www.mercasaventures.com
www.AscentCapital.llc
🎙️ Listen to The Lo-Down
🎙️Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lo-down/id1764777761
🎙️Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YjwXXjvFT3mqve6uMF983?si=d2501028127246f3
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lorenzo.Mercado
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Airbnb Arbitrage
02:49 Understanding the Business Model
05:38 Revenue Insights and Financials
08:35 Background and Early Career
11:25 First Deal Experience
14:01 Choosing Locations and Market Research
17:08. Scaling the Business
20:02 Operational Strategies and Team Structure
22:55 Challenges and Learning Lessons
25:39 Future Plans and Vision
28:45 Final Thoughts and Advice