What if you could build a 184-unit Airbnb portfolio without owning a single property in just two years?

In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Leong, who scaled from 0 to 184 Airbnb arbitrage units in just two years. At his peak, his business pulled in over $1.1M in a single month. After grinding through the early days, Kevin built systems, hired a team of 20+ VAs, and now runs the entire operation in under 10 hours a week.

We dive into how Kevin went from a cannabis warehouse job and side hustles to building one of the fastest-growing Airbnb arbitrage companies out there. He shares the credit card hacks that helped him fund his first deal, the 200+ cold calls it took to land his first “yes,” and the mistakes new operators should avoid.

If you’re into real estate, Airbnb, or just want to learn how to scale a business fast—this one’s a masterclass.

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We talk about:

• How Kevin scaled from 0 to 184 Airbnb arbitrage units in two years
• Using 0% interest credit cards to fund growth
• The grind of 200+ rejections before his first deal
• Building systems and SOPs to scale without burnout
• Hiring VAs and stepping back to a 10-hour workweek
• Why arbitrage can be the perfect stepping stone to long-term wealth

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🎯 Follow Kevin Leong
Instagram: @kevinleong_bnb

🚀 Connect with Lorenzo Mercado
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenzo.mercado_/
Website: www.mercasaventures.com

www.AscentCapital.llc

🎙️ Listen to The Lo-Down

🎙️Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lo-down/id1764777761
🎙️Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1YjwXXjvFT3mqve6uMF983?si=d2501028127246f3
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lorenzo.Mercado
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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Airbnb Arbitrage

02:49 Understanding the Business Model

05:38 Revenue Insights and Financials

08:35 Background and Early Career

11:25 First Deal Experience

14:01 Choosing Locations and Market Research

17:08. Scaling the Business

20:02 Operational Strategies and Team Structure

22:55 Challenges and Learning Lessons

25:39 Future Plans and Vision

28:45 Final Thoughts and Advice