I'm Aja and I'm a published author, speaker, and "fin-fluencer" who enjoys discussing money, lifestyle, travel, and anything else that pertains to increasing and improving your life!
I'm buying a hotel on a tropical island. You can, too.
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Happy Saturday, Fellow Real Estate Go-Getter! If the subject line of this email makes you think that nothing could be more impossible to attain, I want to let you know that it's quite the opposite. As a single mom, going through divorce with no job, I came to Puerto Rico five years ago and started with a little Airbnb. Then, got a duplex for long-term tenants. Even during the pandemic, I learned that I had hit a gold mine in real estate investing on this tiny island. I began to connect with local investors and those who had come from abroad, making a real difference to the island's housing stock—providing affordable housing and developing tourism projects that generate revenue and jobs as well. Now that I have five years of investing in PR under my belt, I'm ready for the big leagues! For me, that's a hotel. A hotel? In paradise? It's easier than you think! Surprisingly, there's a reasonable amount of inventory on the island, and sellers are much more open to creative financing. (Banks can be difficult to deal with in PR at times.) The catch? You've gotta know what you're doing. Plus, you need the right operations team in your corner. The good news is that I'm not alone on this journey. I've plugged into a great network of people who've blazed the trail ahead of me, like Marc Weisi, proprietor of Hotel Luz in San Turce, an up-and-coming community in San Juan. The neat part is that I know many more investors just like him. So, I'll be in good company when I finally get my chance to flex my hospitality chops on the island. If you want to find out how Marc started in real estate and how his hotel project came to fruition, check out this interview I did with him. (Hint: the total investment was only $1 million, much of which he raised from capital partners.) This video is good watch because it's relatively quick, and I get very nosey about his EXACT PROCESS for becoming a hotel owner and operator, lol... Plus, at the end, there's a cute surprise where you get to see Marc show off his Spanish. If you missed last week's newsletter, check out a few reasons why investing in Puerto Rico might be of interest to you: 🇺🇸 U.S. Convenience, Caribbean Lifestyle
This means you can often buy property with low down payments, long amortizations, and familiar underwriting—while living in paradise. 📉 A Market with Supply (Not Displacement)There’s a misconception that buying property on the island displaces locals. The reality:
Thoughtful investment—especially in renovation, affordable housing, and hospitality—can:
This is a classic case where new capital can lift the entire economy rather than crowd it out. 💰 Powerful Tax Advantages (When Structured Correctly)Puerto Rico is one of the most tax-advantaged jurisdictions available to Americans who qualify:
When paired with income-producing property, these benefits can significantly improve after-tax cash flow and accelerate net worth. 🧭 Why This Matters for Your Retirement TimelinePuerto Rico allows you to combine:
That’s a rare four-way alignment—especially for Americans who want to stay within the U.S. framework. 📞 Call to ActionIf you’re serious about fast-tracking retirement through real estate investing—and want to explore whether Puerto Rico fits into your long-term strategy—I invite you to schedule a call with me. Reply to this email with a good day and time to chat. 👉 We’ll map out a plan tailored to your goals, risk tolerance, and timeline. 🗂️ What We’ll Cover on the Strategy Call
From here, we'll explore whether Puerto Rico is the lever that helps you retire sooner and better. In the meantime, I think it's time for us all to become savvy investors, no matter the market we choose. So, I've got a free resource to help you with that goal. "10 Essential Steps to Start Investing in Real Estate Passively" This guide will show you how to build wealth through real estate without the headaches of being a landlord. Let’s make 2026 the year you break free from the rat race and start building wealth on your terms. To your success, ⬇️ Real Estate by Faith: Creative Ways to Become a Homeowner ⬇️ 17 Creative Ways to Become a Homeowner 💸This week's newsletter sponsors💸I hope this was helpful and encouraging! Aja McClanahan Founder of Principles of Increase | Instagram | YouTube |
Principles of Increase Media
I'm Aja and I'm a published author, speaker, and "fin-fluencer" who enjoys discussing money, lifestyle, travel, and anything else that pertains to increasing and improving your life!
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