I profited $1.4 million last year as an Airbnb Superhost. Here's how I'm using real estate to achieve financial freedom.

Fri, 04/05/2024 - 05:05

a man sitting on a gray couch looking to the left — Syed Lateef runs his Airbnb business in Chicago.
Courtesy of Syed Lateef

Syed Lateef left finance to start an Airbnb business that he's grown to over 300 rental units.
Lateef's business model includes both buying his own properties and utilizing rental arbitrage.
Since 2017, he's grossed $35 million in revenue and he made $1.4 million in profit last year.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Syed Lateef, a 36-year-old Airbnb Superhost in Chicago. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I'm the CEO of SyedBnb, a short-term rental company with over 300 units and 100 employees.