Second Home First

Nearly two decades ago, today’s guests were a young couple living in Jersey City, dreaming of buying a home in Manhattan. But instead of stretching their budget to buy in the city, they decided to buy a lake house in the Poconos. In just 15 years, they used income from short-term renters to pay it off entirely—and now, they’re using the equity they built to construct their dream vacation home just down the road. This Week’s Guests: David Bigler and Jillian O’Neill are a married couple who bought their second home first almost two decades ago. They were living in Jersey City at the time, dreaming of moving into Manhattan, when they decided to do something different and buy a lakehouse in the Poconos instead. Tune in to Learn: –The difference between good debt and and bad debt –Why Dave and Jill started out as "First Dibbers" but now consider themselves "Profit Maximizers" (Take the Quiz to find out what type of vacation home owner you would be: https://www.buyyoursecondhomefirst.com/freebies#quiz) –How they paid off their lake house in full in 15 years, using income earned from short-term renters –Why building genuine relationships with neighbors is essential Key links: –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com (mailto:Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com) A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y For a limited time, click the link and enter code SHF-60 for 60% off their Professional and Ultimate plans. *Offer good September 21-30, 2026 Somerled: https://form.jotform.com/252193985491065?howDid=Referral&typeA19=Second%20Home%20First Use the link provided to schedule your free consultation call. Listeners of SHF also get $1,000 off virtual design & $3,000 off design & project management services. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

Do you dream of owning a vacation home but think you can’t afford it? What if I told you that you might need way less cash than you think? Today’s expert guest is breaking down the money myths and mortgage misconceptions that cause so many of us to rule ourselves out. She’s also sharing why talking to a lender just might reveal that you’re closer to owning your dream vacation home than you think. This Week’s Expert Guest: Jessica Khani is a mortgage lender, who’s also an investor and an entrepreneur. Find her at HomesWithJessicaKhani.com or @HomesWithJessicaKhani on social. Tune in to Learn: –The difference between getting a mortgage for your primary home versus a second home –How lenders determine how much you can actually afford –What credit score you need to have in order to get the most favorable terms –How much time you’re required to spend in the property each year and whether or not there’s a maximum number of days you can rent it out –Actionable, tactical advice for improving your credit score before you buy Jessica was also featured on this episode of SHF: [EXPERT] How to Buy a House Apple Podcasts- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/expert-how-to-buy-a-house/id1849178409?i=1000774809997 Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/episode/1y5Bgc57iQWFKddPHySfJB YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZRuM7vJ8ok Key links: –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com (mailto:Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com) A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y For a limited time, click the link and enter code SHF-60 for 60% off their Professional and Ultimate plans. *Expires September 8, 2026 Somerled: https://form.jotform.com/252193985491065?howDid=Referral&typeA19=Second%20Home%20First Use the link provided to schedule your free consultation call. Listeners of SHF also get $1,000 off virtual design & $3,000 off design & project management services. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

What if I told you that there’s a ski chalet in Vermont that looks like it was plucked straight out of a storybook currently for sale for less than $150,000!? That price sounds almost too good to be true, but the real question is - can it pay for itself!? I’m putting this real listing to test, and by the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how I evaluate a vacation home before I even consider making an offer. Tune in to learn: –How to evaluate whether a vacation home can actually pay for itself before making an offer –How to do your due diligence around regulations, local competition, HOA restrictions, and property condition –How to analyze the numbers to determine how much this home would cost and equally, how much it could earn Key links: –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com (mailto:Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com) A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y For a limited time, click the link and enter code SHF-60 for 60% off their Professional and Ultimate plans. *Expires September 8, 2026 Somerled: https://form.jotform.com/252193985491065?howDid=Referral&typeA19=Second%20Home%20First Use the link provided to schedule your free consultation call. Listeners of SHF also get $1,000 off virtual design & $3,000 off design & project management services. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

If you want your vacation home to pay for itself, you need to get people excited to actually book it. And one of the best ways to do that is with scroll-stopping photos and videos. Today's expert guest is breaking down how working with content creators can help bring your property to life, including where to find them, how to work with them, and what you need to know to make a partnership successful. This week’s expert guest: Jamie Kraus is the founder and CEO of Postaway, the premier hospitality platform designed to bring creators and hosts together for collaboration and community. Bringing nearly a decade of hosting experience across her five properties alongside her background as a photographer and creator, Jamie leverages her unique perspective from both sides of the industry to help hosts choose the right partners, structure partnerships, and showcase their properties to drive guest interest. Tune in to learn: -How to work with creators to commission photos and videos to market your property and attract more paying guests -The inside scoop on what makes a great creator partnership -The green and red flags to look out for when working with creators -How to make sure a collaboration actually delivers value for your property Key links: –Postaway - https://www.postaway.com/ Use code KATIE50 for 50% off. –Postaway Hospitality Summit - https://www.postaway.com/hospitality-summit September 27 - 29, 2026 in Breckenridge, CO Use code KATIE15 for 15% off a ticket to attend. –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com (mailto:Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com) A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code: SHF-60 Discount: 60% off Professional and Ultimate plans (Yearly and Bi-Yearly) Valid: August 25th – September 8th Somerled: https://form.jotform.com/252193985491065?howDid=Referral&typeA19=Second%20Home%20First Use the link provided to schedule your free consultation call. Listeners of SHF also get $1,000 off virtual design & $3,000 off design & project management services. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

What do you get when you cross a New York City-based fashion stylist with a vintage beach cottage in Maine? A fully booked rental calendar, that’s what. Today’s guest decided to keep his rent-controlled apartment in the West Village and bought a beach cottage, site unseen, 300 miles north. This week’s guest: Seppe Tirabassi is a fashion stylist based in New York City who’s also the contributing fashion editor for GQ. Seppe lives in a rent-controlled apartment in the West Village, and after seeing how much it would cost to buy an apartment in Brooklyn, he decided to change course and buy his ‘second home’ first in his native state of Maine. If the beginning of that story sounded a little familiar, that’s because Seppe’s partner, Paul Jebara, was also a guest of this podcast! Check out Paul’s episode: [REAL STORIES] Rent-Stabilized in the West Village. Vacation homeowner in Connecticut. Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-stories-rent-stabilized-in-the-west-village/id1849178409?i=1000752843325 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fBz7sExkLgPeosCd6alLR YouTube - https://youtu.be/UHZ3HSFroKE Key links: –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com (mailto:Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com) A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code HOME20 for an additional 20% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. Somerled: https://form.jotform.com/252193985491065?howDid=Referral&typeA19=Second%20Home%20First Use the link provided to schedule your free consultation call. Listeners of SHF also get $1,000 off virtual design & $3,000 off design & project management services. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

Vacation homes are where some of life's best memories are made, and the kitchen is often the center of that. On this episode, Caroline Chambers shares her favorite recipes for feeding a house full of family and friends, along with some practical tips for stocking a kitchen that both you and your paying guests will love. This Week’s Expert Guest: Caroline Chambers, New York Times bestselling author and Substack sensation, joins us to celebrate the release of her newest cookbook, What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking: Make It Fast. Recently, Caro published a series on her Substack called “What to Cook at a Vacation House,” and the second I read it, I knew we had to have her on the show. Tune in to learn: -Why some of the most memorable moments on vacation happen around the dinner table -How to feed a crowd when you're cooking in an unfamiliar kitchen -The five spices every vacation home should stock -What every kitchen in an Airbnb or a Vrbo should have—from pantry staples to pots, pans and utensils -Her favorite crowd-pleasing recipes from her books that are perfect for feeding a house full of family and friends without getting stuck in the kitchen Caroline’s Newest Book- What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking: Make It Fast - https://amzn.to/4fmYnJK Caroline’s What to Cook at a Vacation House series: 1- https://whattocook.substack.com/p/the-wtc-vacation-house-meal-plan 2- https://whattocook.substack.com/p/what-to-cook-at-a-vacation-house 3- https://whattocook.substack.com/p/what-to-cook-at-a-vacation-house-251 Key links: –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com (mailto:Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com) A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code HOME20 for an additional 20% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. Somerled: https://form.jotform.com/252193985491065?howDid=Referral&typeA19=Second%20Home%20First Use the link provided to schedule your free consultation call. Listeners of SHF also get $1,000 off virtual design & $3,000 off design & project management services. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

Most vacation homeowners think great design is about picking pretty furniture. But today’s expert guest says it’s actually all about psychology. And when it’s done right, the result isn’t just a beautiful vacation home you love. It’s a place that stands out from the competition, attracts more bookings, and earns you more money. This week’s expert guest: Jordan McDonough is the Co-Founder of Somerled, a short-term rental design studio that helps owners earn more money. Somerled isn’t your typical interior designer. They start by analyzing your destination, identifying your ideal guest, and then, they create a design around the decisions that drive bookings and maximize returns. The result is a vacation home that stands out, books faster, and most importantly, earns more money. Key links: –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code HOME20 for an additional 20% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. Somerled: https://form.jotform.com/252193985491065?howDid=Referral&typeA19=Second%20Home%20First Use the link provided to schedule your free consultation call. Listeners of SHF also get $1,000 off virtual design & $3,000 off design & project management services. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot. PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit.

Nearly half of American households own a dog, yet less than a quarter of vacation rentals allow them to stay. We're unpacking if allowing pets in your vacation home is a smart business move or a very expensive mistake. Tune in to learn: -Why this is one of the most hotly debated topics in short-term rentals -How an email from a listener inspired this episode -Why allowing pets could increase your occupancy, nightly rate, and overall revenue -The surprising statistics behind how dog owners choose where to vacation -The biggest misconceptions hosts have about pet damage Key links: Check out the Pet Friendly Vacation Home Guide: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/Pets –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Subscribe to the newsletter for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code SHF-60 for 60% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. *Only until July 31, 2026. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

When her husband received military orders to move their family to South Korea, today’s guest made a decision that completely changed the way she viewed homeownership. What followed were some of the most unimaginable hardships someone could endure—but today, Alisha and her family are back in the States, choosing to rent their primary home as they build their dream vacation home on the Mississippi coast. This Week’s Guest: Alisha Rae is an oncology nurse, military wife and mama to two girls. Alisha’s story starts out in a more “traditional” way—with buying her primary home—but when her husband received orders to move the family to South Korea, everything changed. Tune in to learn: -Why she didn’t sell their house when they moved to South Korea, but turned it into a midterm rental instead -How doing so changed the way she thought about homeownership, while giving her flexibility, an additional income stream, and a creative outlet -How real estate became a financial backbone for Alisha during one of the hardest seasons of her life -Why the Second Home First strategy isn’t just for those of us who live in big cities, but for anyone who wants more flexibility, more options, and more intentionality in their life (including Alisha, now in Mississippi) Key links: –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Subscribe to the free newsletter for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code SHF-60 for 60% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. *Only until July 31, 2026. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

Breaking news—Second Home First has been featured in the holy grail, the New York Times! I’m taking you behind the scenes on everything, from the cold pitch I sent to get the journalist’s attention to being photographed last week at my first vacation home, Trout Landing. But this episode isn’t really about the New York Times. It’s about how one unconventional decision can change the trajectory of your entire life. Tune in to learn: -How to pitch journalists in a way that actually gets their attention -What Tyler Moore and Janel Gallucci both thought of this opportunity (hear directly from them!) -The behind-the-scenes moments that no one gets to see, including one panic-worthy mistake just before the photoshoot -How making one conventional decision changed the trajectory of my life forever Key links: -Second Home First in the New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/14/realestate/purchasing-second-home-vacation-home-first.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share –Tyler’s Second Home First episode: [REAL STORIES] This NYC Teacher Stopped Waiting for “Someday” and Bought a Cottage in the Poconos https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-stories-this-nyc-teacher-stopped-waiting-for-someday/id1849178409?i=1000768520907 –Janel’s Second Home First episode: [REAL STORIES] “Is this it?” Her Life Felt Like Groundhog Day Until She Bought a Cabin in Tahoe https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/real-stories-is-this-it-her-life-felt-like-groundhog/id1849178409?i=1000773849154 –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code SHF-60 for 60% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. *Only until July 31, 2026. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

How long would you wait to afford a home where you live? Five years? Ten? After more than 2 decades renting in Los Angeles, today's guest decided she was done waiting and chose to buy a cabin in the North Georgia mountains instead. This Week’s Guest: Dawn Asher is the founder of The Olive Jar, an experiential marketing studio that helps short-term rental hosts create unforgettable guest experiences. Tune in to learn: –Why buying a home in Los Angeles never made financial sense for Dawn and her family –How an incredible chain of coincidences led to her finding the perfect cabin in North Georgia –Why she believes vacation rentals should create memories—not just generate income –The simple design ideas she uses to turn an ordinary cabin into an unforgettable guest experience –Why she says "when life hands you lemons, make a charcuterie board" Key links: –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code SHF-60 for 60% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. *Only until July 31, 2026. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions most of us will ever make. So why does it feel like no one has ever taught us how to actually do it? There's no class in school that explains mortgages, offers, inspections, appraisals, or closing costs. Most of us are just piecing it together from Google searches, conversations with ChatGPT, and advice from our parents that's probably 30 years out of date—all while hoping we're not making an incredibly expensive mistake. So in this episode, we’re answering one simple question: how do you buy a house? This Week’s Expert Guests: Kacia Ghetmiri is a real estate agent, an investor, an entrepreneur and the host of the EmpowerHER podcast. Jessica Khani is a mortgage lender, who’s also an investor and an entrepreneur. Tune in to learn: –Every single step of the home-buying process, from getting pre-approved all the way to closing day –The #1 question you should ask before selecting a real estate agent –How much money you actually need to buy a house (hint: it may be far less than you think) –What you can negotiate beyond just the purchase price –The biggest mistakes first-time homebuyers make (and how to avoid them) Key links: –FREE How to Buy a House guide! Download it here: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/buyahouse –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com (mailto:Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com) A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code SHF-60 for an 60% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. *Only until June 30, 2026. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

After years of hustling, climbing, achieving, and building, many of us are looking around at our lives and thinking: is this really it? Our guest today felt exactly that, and she shares how buying her second home first in Lake Tahoe became the catalyst not just for financial change, but for reevaluating her life, career, and her definition of success. This Week’s Guest: Janel Gallucci is a short term rental owner, investor and co-founder of the Seven Summers Host Academy. Janel was living in San Francisco when she made a decision that completely changed the trajectory of her life: buying her second home first — a cabin in Lake Tahoe. Tune in to learn: –Why Janel looked around at the life she built (the big tech job, the city, the routine) and asked herself: Is this it? –How buying a property that could cover its own costs felt like she cracked the code to life –Why Janel felt shame and guilt for being a renter in her 30s –What happens when one unconventional decision gives you permission to reevaluate everything else Key links: –Second Home First Academy: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: https://www.SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code SHF-60 for 60% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. *Offer good from June 17-30, 2026. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot. PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice.

What happens when a forgotten property becomes the beginning of something much bigger? In this deeply personal episode, host Katie Cline shares the story behind the abandoned Irish farmhouse her mother inherited—a home her grandmother grew up in that has sat empty for more than twenty years. What began as a trip to reconnect with her family's roots quickly turned into something she never expected. After posting videos from the property online, hundreds of thousands of people began following the journey, proving that this story resonated far beyond one family or one farmhouse. Katie takes listeners inside the house for the first time, shares the history of how it ended up in her family's hands, reflects on the losses that nearly caused the dream of restoring it to fade away, and explores why so many people seem drawn to stories about heritage, belonging, and preserving something for future generations. Tune in to learn: –How Katie became an Irish citizen and why that passport changed the trajectory of her life –The history of the farmhouse and the family members who called it home –What it was like opening the door to a house that had been untouched for twenty years –The surprising discoveries found inside the property –How a few social media videos unexpectedly reached millions of people –The power of hospitality, community, and feeling like you belong –The next steps in bringing the property back to life Key links: –Second Home First Academy: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: https://www.SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code SHF-60 for 60% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. *Offer good from June 17-30, 2026. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

Want to own a vacation home that pays for itself but don’t want to become a landlord? Today’s expert episode introduces us to the world of co-hosts — property managers who let you avoid those dreaded middle of the night phone calls while still enjoying the income. This Week’s Expert Guest: Natalie Palmer is the host of the No Vacancy podcast and co-founder of Level Up Your Listing Summit. She’s been a co-host for as many as ten properties at one time, and she knows a thing or two about how to spot a great co-host and how to steer clear of the ones who will become a headache. Tune in to learn: –What is a co-host? –The key questions you should ask when interviewing prospective co-hosts –Why management companies with the lowest fees often cost you the most money in the long run –The non-negotiables that must be in your contract before you hand over the keys –How hiring the right co-host can make this a much more passive investment Key links: –Second Home First Academy: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: https://www.SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code HOME20 for an additional 20% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

If I told you someone was $1.7 million dollars in debt, you’d probably think: that sounds really bad. But today’s guest is all about leverage — using debt strategically to generate income, build equity, and create optionality. That debt is attached to properties worth roughly $4 million dollars, which make about $50,000 a month and have allowed her and her husband to leave their W2 jobs to stay home full-time with their young daughter. This Week’s Guest: Zoey Berghoff, a short-term rental enthusiast, investor, coach, and speaker with a passion for turning ordinary properties into unforgettable retreats. Zoey shares something that would probably sound terrifying to most people: she’s currently 1.7 million dollars in debt. But that debt is attached to properties worth roughly 4 million dollars — assets being paid down with other people’s money. In fact, today, her portfolio generates around $50,000 a month in revenue. Tune in to learn: –The life-changing magic of a HELOC (home equity line of credit) –How a property earning $24,000 a year as a long-term rental started making $120,000 as a short-term rental –How to think differently about leverage, debt, and building long-term wealth –Why certain real estate principles are timeless Key links: –Second Home First Academy: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: https://www.SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code HOME20 for an additional 20% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

For a lot of people (myself included), the “dream” isn’t just owning a vacation home that pays for itself—it’s owning a place that your family genuinely loves to visit. But that creates an interesting challenge: how do you furnish and design a home in a way that works beautifully for you and your family while also appealing to other traveling families as guests? That’s exactly what we’re, ahem, unpacking today. This Week’s Expert Guest: Sarah Huff is a baby gear & family travel expert, host of the Tiny Travelers podcast, and the Senior Manager of Customer and Community at BabyQuip. *Check out BabyQuip: https://www.babyquip.com?a=e1afd34 and get $20 off using code SUITESUCCESS20 Tune in to learn: –Why designing around the rhythms of a child’s day can completely transform the guest experience –What creates the most stress for families while traveling and how thoughtful hosts can eliminate friction before guests even arrive –The biggest mistakes hosts make when trying to cater to kids –How to create spaces that feel functional for families without feeling cluttered or chaotic –Why family-friendly design can lead to better reviews, repeat bookings, and more memorable stays Key links: –Second Home First Academy: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: https://www.SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code HOME20 for an additional 20% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

How many of us are currently putting something off for the hypothetical “someday?” This guest realized he didn’t want to wait around to enjoy his life. So instead of buying a primary home in New York City, he and his family bought a cottage in the Poconos—and in the process, completely changed the way they think about home, family life, and the pursuit of “more.” This Week’s Guest: Tyler Moore is a NYC school teacher, but you might know him as “Tidy Dad”. Through his bestselling book, Tidy Up Your Life; his podcast, Tidy Tidbits; his Instagram, @TidyDad; and his newsletter, Tyler is known for sharing thoughtful reflections on parenting, routines, organization and intentional living. Tune in to learn: –How a simple question from a yoga teacher changed his approach homeownership –Why they intentionally searched for the cheapest homes in the nicest neighborhoods –How they bought a cottage in the Poconos for less than $170,000 –The hidden costs Tyler considers before making any big decision –Why Tyler believes learning to say “no” is just as important as knowing when to say “yes” Key links: -Tyler’s Book: Tidy Up Your Life - https://amzn.to/49ds3FM -Tyler’s Podcast: Tidy Tidbits - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tidy-tidbits/id1816271318 –Second Home First Academy: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: https://www.BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: https://www.SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code HOME20 for an additional 20% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

What if attaining your “dream life” didn’t require quitting your job, becoming a millionaire, or even moving someplace else? Today’s guest, a native Texan, bought her second home first in coastal Maine after falling in love with east coast summers. Now, she’s building a life around flexibility, optionality and of course, seasonality. This Week’s Guest: Texas native Taylor Summer is a digital nomad who fell in love with east coast summers. After falling in love with New England’s slower pace, cooler weather and historic charm, Taylor and her husband bought a home in Midcoast Maine with the goal of creating a seasonal lifestyle: east coast summers, Texas winters. Today, Taylor balances personal use of the home with mid-term rental income. Tune in to learn: –Why Taylor has no regrets buying at nearly an 8% interest rate –How Taylor manages to offset most of her expenses, even while enjoying the property herself in the peak summer months –Why buying in a completely different part of the country comes with brand new considerations, from basements and sump pumps to the realities of winter in Maine –The difference between short-term and mid-term rentals –The mindset shift that helped her ignore outside opinions Key links: –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code HOME20 for an additional 20% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice

On this episode of Second Home First, I’m taking you behind the scenes of something I never could have predicted: my very first vacation home, Trout Landing, being featured on an Emmy Award-winning TV show! But this episode isn’t really about TV. It’s about what happens when you put yourself in the game. When we bought this home, I thought I was making one decision—buying a place to make family memories. Along the way, I also realized what a smart financial decision it was. But what I didn’t realize is it was also opening doors to opportunities I couldn’t even see yet. In this episode, I share: –How Trout Landing was discovered by a TV producer –The behind-the-scenes process of getting selected –What it actually takes to prepare a vacation rental for filming –The last-minute chaos (and perfectionism spiral) before the shoot –And the bigger lesson: why the ROI of a second home goes far beyond income Key links: –Second Home First Academy: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/academy *Use code PODCAST for 40% off –Subscribe to the free weekly newsletter: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com/#subscribe –Visit the website: BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com –Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @BuyYourSecondHomeFirst –Find us on Substack: SecondHomeFirst.Substack.com –Say Hi! Hello@BuyYourSecondHomeFirst.com A Special Thank You To Our Sponsors: Lodgify: https://lodgify.com/?afmc=28y Click the link and enter code HOME20 for an additional 20% off their yearly and bi-yearly plans. Minoan: https://www.Minoan.com/SecondHome Use the link provided to sign up and receive a free $25 in credit. Turno: https://go.turno.com/second_home_first Use the link provided to get $25 off your first clean. Flytographer: https://www.Flytographer.com/SHF Use code SHF25 for $25 off your first shoot PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/signup/?referral=secondhomefirst Use code SecondHomeFirst (all one word) for a 30-day free trial, plus $10 off your first invoice