Are Companies Buying Homes to Turn Into Airbnbs in Amarillo
Ask pretty much anyone, pretty much anywhere, and they'll tell you the housing market is insane. Properties are being bought up at record pace. Some properties go well above the listing price.
Recently, I was told that there are companies buying up some of the available properties in Amarillo for the sole purpose of turning them into Airbnbs. Instantly I was infuriated.
It's honestly nothing new. There are reports of companies large and small doing this.
Nothing against Airbnb. As is the case with most things, when it started it was a great way for people to make some extra money. For travelers, it gave you something more unique than the same old hotel stay. Especially if you are traveling with a large group.
Sometimes, you could even get lucky enough to rent an Airbnb owned by a celebrity who would show up randomly to party with you.
The issue now is that there are companies who have a much deeper pool of resources to draw from (compared to us regular folks) entering the market to purchase up property to turn into Airbnbs. I don't know many first time homeowners who can go to bat against such a foe in order to get their "dream home."
That phrase,"dream home," has taken on new meaning in this day-and-age. Many of us dreamed of two story homes with white picket fences and wrap-around porches. Now, our dream home is just one we get lucky enough to purchase.
Ownership of property used to be one of the major cornerstones of the American dream. In these times, it seems like the American dream is just one more thing you can rent rather than call your own.