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When I bought my very first home in 2010, I never could have imagined that decision would change the entire course of my life. At the time, I wasn’t thinking about becoming a real estate investor, a landlord, or even a REALTOR®. I was just a young professional who had moved to Florida from New Jersey, looking for a place to put down roots.
But that one purchase turned out to be the foundation of everything that followed.
Like many first-time homebuyers, I was nervous. Buying your first home feels like such a huge leap — it’s exciting, but also overwhelming. Looking back, I realize I didn’t fully understand the power of what I was doing. I wasn’t just buying a place to live; I was planting the seed of financial independence.
Over the years, that little house became so much more than a home. As the market in Florida grew, so did the value of my property. Without even realizing it at first, I was building equity — a concept that later became my greatest tool for growth.
Fast forward almost a decade later to 2019, when I took my next big leap. I had been watching the rise of Airbnb and the short-term rental market. I loved the idea of creating a home-away-from-home for travelers, while also building a business that could generate strong cash flow.
So, I bought my very first Airbnb property.
It was nerve-wracking at first — learning how to set it up, designing it to stand out in a competitive market, figuring out pricing, and managing guests. But once I got started, I was hooked. Hosting wasn’t just about running a business; it was about hospitality, creativity, and financial freedom all wrapped into one.
And the best part? That property performed beyond my expectations.
Here’s where my 2010 home came back into play. By then, the value had appreciated significantly. Instead of letting that equity just sit there, I made the decision to put it to work.
I refinanced, pulled out equity, and used it as leverage to purchase more properties.
That was the lightbulb moment for me — realizing that I could harness the power of appreciation and smart financial management to continue building my portfolio. Real estate wasn’t just about one home or one Airbnb; it was a system that, when done right, could create exponential growth.
Over the next few years, I repeated that process — carefully analyzing opportunities, reinvesting equity, and always keeping strong financial ethics at the center of every decision.
I didn’t cut corners. I didn’t overextend myself. I stayed disciplined, saved aggressively, and reinvested wisely.
That strategy allowed me to add three more properties to my portfolio. Each one taught me something new — from property management systems to guest communication to design and marketing. Every success and every challenge sharpened my skills not only as an investor, but also as a business owner.
For years, I balanced this growing real estate portfolio with a demanding W-2 job in IT consulting. My days were spent working behind a computer, while my evenings and weekends were filled with real estate tasks — guest turnovers, analyzing deals, managing renovations, and dreaming about what could be possible if I went all in.
Eventually, I realized that my “side hustle” had become my true passion. Real estate wasn’t just something I did on the side — it was the life I wanted to live full-time.
After careful planning, lots of late-night number crunching, and plenty of courage, I finally made the leap. I quit my W-2 job and went all in on real estate.
One of the best decisions I made during this transition was becoming a licensed REALTOR®. With my background as both a homeowner and an investor, I knew I had something valuable to offer others: firsthand experience.
I’ve been in the shoes of:
The nervous first-time buyer wondering if they’re making the right decision.
The investor trying to figure out if the numbers make sense.
The Airbnb host juggling bookings, renovations, and guest expectations.
That’s why becoming a Realtor felt so natural. I could take everything I had learned in my own journey and use it to guide others through theirs.
Today, I’m proud to run SoFlo Coastal Group, helping people buy, sell, and invest in Palm Beach County and beyond. I specialize in short-term rentals because it’s a space I know inside and out — from financing to design to management.
But more than that, I love helping people see what’s possible. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my own journey, it’s this:
Real estate has the power to change your life — if you’re willing to take that first step.
Whether you’re dreaming of your first home, looking for your own vacation rental, or ready to invest in a growing portfolio, I’d love to help you take that next step.
📲 Call/Text: 732-754-9323
🔗 Connect on Instagram: @melissa.buy.sell.invest
🌴 Learn more at www.soflocoastalgroup.com