Welcome to another episode of How Real Estate Changed My Life! This time, we’re joined by Gerd Conner, a real estate investor whose journey blends smart strategy with heartfelt intention. Gerd didn’t just build wealth—he built a lifestyle, using short-term rentals to create unforgettable experiences for his family and guests alike.
From renting his own vacation home to mastering tax strategies and building a strong community of fellow hosts, Gerd shares the ups and downs of his journey, how Disney unexpectedly playe...
Welcome to another episode of How Real Estate Changed My Life! This time, we’re joined by Gerd Conner, a real estate investor whose journey blends smart strategy with heartfelt intention. Gerd didn’t just build wealth—he built a lifestyle, using short-term rentals to create unforgettable experiences for his family and guests alike.
From renting his own vacation home to mastering tax strategies and building a strong community of fellow hosts, Gerd shares the ups and downs of his journey, how Disney unexpectedly played a role in connecting him to new opportunities, and why real estate isn’t just about profit—it’s about people.
About THE Manatee Manor!
Our family (and extended family) visited Windsor Hills in early 2020 – just before COVID swept the world off its feet – and we knew that we wanted to be here. Driving home from that first trip “To Disney”, we made a stop at Wakulla Springs State park to see the springs and the Manatees that migrate there in the winter time. If you are driving from out west on Interstate 10, this is an AMAZING side trip! Three generations of our family fell in love with the Manatees and it’s been “our” mascot ever since. Even when the Manatees migrate down the river in the summer time, the wildlife here is fantastic!
In the summer of 2020, our family moved into this fabulous community, and we spent the next year and a half enjoying Florida life, Windsor Hills life, visiting the theme parks, exploring the Florida peninsula, and remodeling our new home.
After nearly 18 months of preparation, our home is finally ready to share with others that are looking for that perfect spot to bring their families and enjoy this little slice of heaven. We know that you and yours will find the same welcome atmosphere that we found, and we look forward to our home being a part of your wonderful lifelong memories!
Timestamps:
[00:00 - 00:55] - Intro
[00:56 -12:37 ] - Who is Gerd and How Did Real Estate Change His Life?
[12:38 - 16:45] - What Did Gerd Do With the First House He Bought?
[16:46 - 19:04] - Long-Term Rentals = Defense, Short-Term = Big Plays
[19:05 - 23:56] - Creating a Stay That Feels Like Home—But Better
[23:57 - 25:51] - The Hustle to Enjoy Your Own Rental Property
[25:52 - 29:50] - From Arcade Dreams to Manatee Stickers: Marketing That Connects
[29:51 - 33:03] - Break Even, Make Magic: The Real Reward of Hosting
[33:04 - 36:32] - The Tax Hack That Changed Everything for Us
[36:33 - 40:02] - Global Team, Local Impact: Scaling Smart with VAs
[40:03 - 43:16] - How to Find Overseas VAs
[43:17 - 48:09] - From Magic Kingdom to Border Closures—Our Wild 2020 Trip
[48:10 - 50:59] - Why I Rented Instead of Buying—and It Paid Off
[51:00 - 54:50] - Art, Real Estate & Unexpected Friendships in Orlando
[54:51 - 59:35] - Competitors vs. Community: The Short-Term Rental Difference
[59:36 - 01:04:17] - Outro
[41:01 - 47:08] - Short-Term vs. Long-Term Rentals: How Banks Determine Rental Income Potential?
[47:09 - 50:53] - Leveraging Reviews and Data: How to Make Your Rental More Attractive?
[50:54 - 52:50] - How Can People Reach Jeff
[52:51 - 53:43] - Outro
Resources:
THE Manatee Manor - https://www.themanateemanor.com/
THE Manatee Manor Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/53624391?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=2b956498-ba67-4574-802a-f47ec18696d7
The Manatee Manor Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100074627545063
Connect with Kyle and his team!
Apple: https://bit.ly/HRECMLApple
Spotify: https://bit.ly/HRECMLSpotify
iHeart: https://bit.ly/HRECMLiHeart
Podbean: https://bit.ly/HRECMLPodBean
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@McCawPropertyManagement
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#shorttermrentalsuccess #disneyvacationhome #howrealestatechangedmylife #realestate strategy #shorttermrental #Airbnbtips #realestatecashflowstory #pandemicinvestingstrategy
#AirbnbnearDisney
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