EP 124: Ditching the Hamster Wheel: How Senta and Eric Used Real Estate to Fund Full-Time Camper Living

Nov 13

Written By Laura Lynch, CFP® ABFP™ AAMS® CDFA®

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Unconventional Financial Advice: Viewing Your Assets Differently

Senta and Eric, full-time nomadic travelers living in their DIY camper, recently joined the Less House More Moola Podcast to share their inspiring journey toward financial freedom and remote property management.

The couple began the conversation by challenging conventional financial wisdom, emphasizing the importance of viewing everything you own—from your car to your time—as an asset that can work for you. As Eric, a former financial advisor, pointed out, "people don't look at other things they own as an asset that can work for them." This shift in perspective was foundational to their plan. Their primary residence and an acquired duplex were not merely homes or liabilities, but resources to be strategically deployed.

They also pushed back on the common adage, "you gotta spend money to make money," suggesting a more accurate perspective is, "you gotta invest resources to get resources back." For them, those invested resources weren't just cash; they were time and sweat equity.

From Cincinnati Rat Race to Nomadic Bliss: The Catalyst for Change

Senta and Eric had "checked all the boxes" of societal success in Cincinnati—home ownership, career progression, investments—but found themselves trapped in a dissatisfying cycle. They were on the "hamster wheel," working 40–60 hours a week only to spend weekends on chores and maintenance, leaving little time for the outdoor exploration they craved. They realized this wasn't the life they wanted until retirement.

The idea to break free took root during the pandemic in 2020. They weren't willing to wait until age 65 to start truly living, especially since their love for hiking and exploring might be physically constrained later in life.

Their plan required careful, long-term execution:

Senta needed a location-independent job (she found one, allowing her to work remotely).
Eric (whose financial advisor job was not remote-friendly) would quit, necessitating new income streams to replace his W-2 earnings and retirement contributions.
They needed a dwelling. They bought a trailer in 2020 and spent nine months doing a DIY camper build.

Leveraging Real Estate for Travel Funding: Short-Term Rental Strategy

The central component of their financial strategy was converting their properties into short-term rentals (STRs). They started with their primary residence, using their existing experience renting out their basement to transition the fully furnished home into a successful Airbnb/Vrbo.

The next step was acquiring a multi-family property to diversify income. This was not a quick win; they saved for years, putting $70,000 down on a duplex. They then spent a full year renovating it themselves, paying for materials and projects as they went to avoid increasing their debt load beyond the mortgages.

Key Takeaways from Their Rental Strategy:

Delayed Gratification: The entire process, from idea conception to hitting the road, took three and a half years, involving long weekends of intensive work on the camper and the duplex.
Avoiding Over-Leverage: They intentionally avoided high-leverage strategies like the BRRRR method (Buy, Rent, Refinance, Repeat). Their goal was peace of mind and financial comfort, not maximizing their balance sheet with debt. Senta's remote income was sufficient to cover all mortgage liabilities, ensuring they could sleep well at night even if the rentals weren't cash-flowing.
The Power of Sweat Equity: By doing the renovations themselves, they saved significant contractor costs and gained intimate knowledge of their properties, making future maintenance easier.

How to Successfully Manage Your Airbnb Remotely While Traveling

A critical decision for Senta and Eric was self-managing their short-term rentals instead of hiring a property management firm, saving 20–30% in fees. Eric now dedicates his time to managing the three units.

Their keys to successful remote management:

Automation

Use smart locks that integrate with Airbnb for automatic code generation. Schedule messages and use tech to streamline communication.
Reduces the need for constant, hands-on administrative work.

Reliable Network

Vet and retain high-quality local people: a good cleaning person, landscaper, and handyman.
These on-the-ground partners are essential for property turnover and urgent repairs.

Value over Cost

Pay reliable help well, even if they seem expensive (e.g., $100 minimum for a handyman call).
The peace of mind and assurance of timely, quality work is worth the premium.

Run it as a Business

Open an LLC, track income and expenses meticulously, and treat it professionally.
Ensures profitability and proper handling of tax and legal requirements.

Expect Downtime

Be prepared for non-income periods (like a broken window taking two months to replace) by having a financial cushion.
Rental income is not guaranteed; a buffer is crucial for financial security.

Practical Advice for Aspiring Full-Time Nomads: Start Planning Today

The couple encourages anyone considering the tiny or nomadic lifestyle to start by researching the myriad of options available (vans, campers, tiny homes). Then, take a hard look at your personal values and what truly makes you happy.

Their parting advice stresses patience and persistence: "It is going to be a process." Very few successful nomads just sell everything overnight. It takes years of planning, career building, and a gradual "mindset shift" toward downsizing.

Ready to Fuel Your Freedom?

Senta and Eric's journey proves that achieving financial independence and a life of travel requires intention, delayed gratification, and a smart strategy for utilizing your assets. If you're inspired to convert your current home into a cash-flowing asset to fund your dreams of tiny living or full-time travel, but aren't sure where to start, you don't have to plan it alone.

Book a consultation with Laura, the host of the Less House More Moola Podcast, to develop your personalized Tiny House Financial Plan. Take the first intentional step toward trading the rat race for the open road.