--- title: His HELOC Strategy Made STR Investing Easy (Smart Money Move!) - with Jim McGowan description: Jim McGowan, a seasoned sales professional, has successfully built a profitable short-term rental portfolio—all while maintaining his full-time job! image: https://str.legal/hubfs/470475577_18034824533376904_2687031743243299554_n.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://str.legal/smartstay-show/jim-mcgowan#main) [![FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2](https://str.legal/hs-fs/hubfs/FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2.png?width=300&height=82&name=FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2.png) ![FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2](https://str.legal/hs-fs/hubfs/FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2.png?width=300&height=82&name=FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2.png) ![FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2](https://str.legal/hs-fs/hubfs/FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2.png?width=300&height=82&name=FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2.png) ![FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2](https://str.legal/hs-fs/hubfs/FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2.png?width=300&height=82&name=FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer-2.png)](https://str.legal) - [Podcast](https://str.legal/smartstay-show) - [Contact Us](https://str.legal/contact) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Podcast](https://str.legal/smartstay-show) - [Contact Us](https://str.legal/contact) - Search - [Get Started](https://str.legal/get-started) [Get Started](https://str.legal/get-started) Search [SmartStay Show](https://str.legal/smartstay-show) # His HELOC Strategy Made STR Investing Easy (Smart Money Move!) - with Jim McGowan ![Rory Gill](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/52a7403c0c5152799543ceb531cdb16d) Feb 25, 2025 5:48:21 PM Can You Build a Thriving Short-Term Rental Business While Working Full-Time? In this episode, we sit down with Jim McGowan, a seasoned sales professional who has successfully built a profitable short-term rental portfolio—all while maintaining his full-time job! Jim takes us through his journey, from an early misstep in fractional ownership to fully owning and managing two stunning vacation rentals in Bartlett, New Hampshire: Summit Vista, a condo with breathtaking views, and Lift House, a sought-after ski-in/ski-out property. How did Jim make it happen? He breaks down his financing strategy, including how he leveraged a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to secure a prime property with a quick cash offer. He also shares the advantages and flexibility of this approach for aspiring investors. Tune in now to learn how you can start or grow your own short-term rental business without quitting your day job! Things we discussed in this episode: - Jim's experience with fractional ownership and the limitations it presented. - The decision to transition to full property ownership and the benefits it provided. - The purchase of Summit Vista and the importance of the property's unique selling point (best view in New Hampshire). - The acquisition of Lift House, a ski-in/ski-out property, and the use of a HELOC to finance it. - The advantages of a HELOC, including the ability to make cash offers, flexible rates, and the opportunity to pay down the principal. - The importance of providing excellent customer service and being responsive to guests. - The strategy of focusing on what makes a property stand out in a competitive market. - The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jim's primary sales job and the role of the short-term rental income. - The benefits of sharing the properties with friends and family, while still maintaining profitability. - Jim's advice for new and aspiring short-term rental hosts, emphasizing the need to do the right thing and create a memorable experience for guests. Get in touch with Jim: - Facebook - [ ![](https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/social_media/facebook_1x.png) / summitvistanh  ](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVJtbHJPay14Ry1ISUhmd3Y2ekJqallDSW9KZ3xBQ3Jtc0trOWgyUjZDLWJsM0tyUXFfbnVDamQ0al9DbXN2X2RzSjhkdUhnYmJJMTlNb2cydXB3cmE1SU1Ndm1mWDFQbk5aSWJXdGMydUNBRW5IUTZMYmNlenRKTzhMY25iM294dGsyNHBLMmhOeVJ5Sm5vVDg3bw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fsummitvistanh&v=XHgvdGDI0wA) - Instagram - [ ![](https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/social_media/instagram_1x.png) / summitvistanh  ](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqay1wT0tNdzd5RmNrMzNNblh4eE9yZkdrQXRqd3xBQ3Jtc0tseGd1cDA5dTZjeHBCdGVQX2JIZllwRlliUXRWTHd0UU10cXhwZ2ZpT0tEbEFnNUtSUldudUNTSEpJNlNRNGV6c2E5eTFCOGs0aGhQejhiWWxBMjkwbVhVWkVjdkdlckZBYkZrSVFtZkZqUGNPYTN3UQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fsummitvistanh%2F&v=XHgvdGDI0wA) - Airbnb - [https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/89346932...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3hjNjhlU2hRTmpzVXFVNEJaTW44d1RYUWNBd3xBQ3Jtc0tsUDQ4MkVtVmhjazktVTc3MTZoY241OF9Ua0xpSFhKLUNJZm1IclFYM2FlY19nT1NEWjF4azk4WGZBcHhqUjVEN0F2aW92c2dGakxxa3V4SFYyS2JqbzlfLVl2Y3J0cURMODM5M1V6ZnlTZnJVemxVSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F893469325980802315&v=XHgvdGDI0wA) - [https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10390581...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmduWWlSRlllWk1VenktZk00WGtYSVd5Q3h4QXxBQ3Jtc0tubnF0QUFzRFdmaS1iN01CMFBxbkY1b3VkSWxPVFI4OWROT0YxeFBiVDdIdU5CT0dLMEtiZlp0UGtSeVZ1NVpfSkszU1VfLTVXTk4xeHBWWDAtbXh1LUpWYUZhUzgtSWhFMjFWM05rRDdSdGRFS283SQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airbnb.com%2Frooms%2F1039058125690946596&v=XHgvdGDI0wA) ➢ Subscribe: [![](https://www.gstatic.com/youtube/img/watch/yt_favicon_ringo2.png) / @smartstayshow  ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9hSZeHoPAwF2bcEib0RCvg) - [0:00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHgvdGDI0wA&t=0s) Fractional Ownership Mistakes - [0:03:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHgvdGDI0wA&t=209s) Transitioning to Full Property Ownership - [0:07:13](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHgvdGDI0wA&t=433s) Navigating the Pandemic's Impact on Income - [0:09:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHgvdGDI0wA&t=579s) Securing the Summit Vista Property - [0:12:46](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHgvdGDI0wA&t=766s) Acquiring the Lift House Property - [0:15:51](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHgvdGDI0wA&t=951s) The Benefits of Short-Term Rentals - [0:20:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHgvdGDI0wA&t=1200s) Financing Strategies: Using a HELOC - [0:24:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHgvdGDI0wA&t=1459s) Instant Booking Pros and Cons - [0:28:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHgvdGDI0wA&t=1683s) Differentiating Your Property in a Competitive Market - [0:32:02](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHgvdGDI0wA&t=1922s) Providing Excellent Customer Service **Tags:** ### Related Articles ### Comments ![SmartStay Coaching (transparent background).png-3](https://str.legal/hubfs/SmartStay%20Coaching%20(transparent%20background).png-3.avif) ### Short-Term Rental Counsel + Coaching Welcome to the SmartStay Show, where profit meets strategy for short-term rental hosts. Hosted by STR.Legal Attorney Rory Gill and 30-time Airbnb Superhost Jason Muth, this podcast is your go-to resource for mastering the world of vacation rentals on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Each episode is packed with actionable tips and real-life strategies designed to help you maximize your income while safeguarding your property. Whether you're just starting out or looking to enhance your existing listings, the SmartStay Show covers everything from pricing optimization and guest communication to legal compliance and automation tools. With expert advice from seasoned hosts and industry insiders, we provide the playbook for turning your rental into a top-performing asset. What sets us apart is our focus on owners of small but mighty portfolios. You don’t need to own dozens of properties to succeed — we specifically cater to hosts who self-manage and want to get the most out of their vacation rentals.   ###### Categories ###### Recent Posts [![FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer](https://str.legal/hs-fs/hubfs/FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer.png?width=250&height=142&name=FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer.png)](https://str.legal) 40R Merrimac Street, Suite 201 East Newburyport, MA 01950   [978-351-9050](tel:9783519050)   ©2026 STR Legal PC. All rights reserved. Licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.  [Privacy Policy](https://str.legal/privacy). - - - ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Rory Gill", "url" : "https://str.legal/smartstay-show/author/rory-gill" }, "dateModified" : "2025-02-25T22:49:04.081Z", "datePublished" : "2025-02-25T22:48:21.000Z", "headline" : "His HELOC Strategy Made STR Investing Easy (Smart Money Move!) - with Jim McGowan", "image" : [ "https://str.legal/hubfs/470475577_18034824533376904_2687031743243299554_n.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://str.legal/smartstay-show/jim-mcgowan", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://str.legal/hubfs/FullLogo_Transparent_NoBuffer.png" }, "name" : "STR Legal" } } ```