What happens when a former cancer researcher and college professor applies a data-driven mindset to short-term rentals?

Joining us in this episode of Living Off Rentals is someone who spent 12 years teaching college biology and advising future doctors and pre-med students. Today, he's a short-term rental investor focused on building cash flow and flexibility through data-driven decisions.

Drew Ivey shares his journey from academia into real estate investing, and how one well-researched short-term rental deal reshaped his financial future. He breaks down how data, patience, and intentional design helped him land a high-performing duplex in a secondary market, navigate major setbacks, and still come out ahead.

Listen and enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

[00:00] Introducing Drew Ivey and his background

[02:31] Going into the real estate direction

[03:33] Getting a taste of freedom during COVID

[06:49] How a scientific mindset translated perfectly into market research

[08:32] Education alone doesn't guarantee success in real estate

[10:29] Why Drew shifted away from Tennessee and Texas after running the numbers

[16:05] Recognizing a deal instantly once you truly understand a market

[18:08] Why a stacked duplex stood out as a rare value-add opportunity

[22:38] Renovation setbacks that turned a $28K rehab into a $92K project

[27:10] Competing in overlooked markets with intentional design and communication

[27:54] Over-communicating with guests to drive better reviews

[31:50] How Drew's vision and idea in real estate evolved over time

[35:55] Making a friend vs networking

[39:44] Finding off-market deals through relationships

[41:20] Why mistakes are part of the process, not the end of it

[43:42] Find the "why" that is worthy and sustainable through ups and downs

[47:03] Outro

Show Links:

Living Off Rentals YouTube Channel – youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentals

Living Off Rentals YouTube Podcast Channel - youtube.com/c/LivingOffRentalsPodcast

Living Off Rentals Facebook Group – facebook.com/groups/livingoffrentals

Living Off Rentals Website – https://www.livingoffrentals.com/

Living Off Rentals Instagram – instagram.com/livingoffrentals

Living Off Rentals TikTok – tiktok.com/@livingoffrentals