Here’s a summary of the March 1, 2025 Meetup:
Negative Housing Costs
First, we had an insightful presentation from Michael (Dr. Bub on our platform) regarding “negative housing costs.” This concept involves strategically reducing living expenses and potentially generating profit through real estate investments. The framework considers not just direct housing costs, but also associated expenses like maintenance, dues, and transportation. The goal is to offset these costs through income-generating strategies related to one’s living situation.
Short Term Rental Investments
We also discussed short-term rental investments. A participant highlighted how properties suitable for short-term rentals can see increased valuation. There’s potential for service providers to offer comprehensive management solutions, including maintenance, cleaning, and additional amenities. This approach could significantly enhance property values by emulating hotel-like services in a decentralized manner.
European Exodus?
The conversation then turned to Bohol, where we’re observing increased European investment in real estate. Various theories were proposed for this trend, including inflation concerns in Europe, political factors, and geopolitical instability. This led to a broader discussion about the potential pivot towards tourism and accommodating digital nomads, especially in light of emerging AI technologies and their impact on traditional employment.
Structured Investment Education Program?
A significant portion of our meeting was dedicated to exploring the concept of a structured investment education program. While we’re still workshopping the name, the essence is to create a platform that connects investors at various experience levels, facilitating knowledge sharing and opportunity identification. We’ve been operating a similar model internally for about a year, and we’re considering expanding its scope.
The primary objectives of this program would be:
- Providing tangible value to participants
- Improving opportunity identification and organization
- Fostering accountability among members
We’re in the early stages of considering how to structure this as an official organization or association. Key considerations include:
- Ensuring information security
- Balancing openness with member privacy
- Developing a framework for mutual accountability
- Creating an engaging and valuable experience for all participants
We’re particularly interested in attracting individuals who are committed to creating value not just for themselves, but for the broader community. This includes a willingness to consider fair profit distribution and maintaining an appropriate valuation mindset regarding contributions.
As we move forward with this initiative, we welcome your input, suggestions, and perspectives on how to optimize its structure and value proposition.