From Vacant Condo to
$48K Annual Revenue

The Situation

A Good Property in the Wrong Model

In early 2024, a Lincoln Park property owner came to us with a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo sitting vacant between long-term tenants. The unit was well-located, well-maintained, and consistently renting for $1,900/month — $22,800 annually.

The owner was skeptical about short-term rentals. They'd heard the horror stories: difficult guests, property damage, constant management headaches. What they hadn't considered was what a professionally managed short-term rental actually looks like.

The Approach

Professional Management From Day One

We started with what we always start with: the listing. Professional photography, a compelling description, and pricing calibrated to Lincoln Park demand patterns. The unit was furnished to our standard — quality linens, fully stocked kitchen, premium toiletries.

Dynamic pricing was configured from day one. Chicago has extreme demand variability — Lollapalooza, Cubs playoffs, convention season, and summer weekends can all 2–3x standard rates. Capturing that upside requires real-time pricing, not a flat nightly rate.

The Timeline

The Result

$38,720 Net — Without Lifting a Finger

After our management fee, the owner netted $38,720 in year one — a 69% increase over their long-term rental income, with zero day-to-day involvement. No guest communications, no cleaning coordination, no maintenance calls. Just a monthly statement and a direct deposit.

The property has since been enrolled for a second year. Based on year-one review velocity and the Superhost status, we're projecting $54,000–$58,000 in year two as the listing matures and repeat guests return.