Could a tiny glamping dome really be the first step toward a thriving real estate empire?

In this episode, I sit down with Zoey Berghoff, a young entrepreneur who’s redefining what’s possible in the short-term rental industry. Six years ago, she launched her journey with a 300-square-foot dome and a bold vision. Today, she’s mastered land development, ground-up builds, and extensive renovations—all while staying focused on equity, cash flow, and lifestyle investments that work for her family.

Zoey opens up about the strategies that set her apart, from leveraging forced appreciation to uncovering hidden potential in overlooked properties. She shares how she’s built a reliable team, the importance of outsourcing effectively, and the lessons she’s learned while scaling her portfolio—all while raising a toddler and building a business that supports her life.

What makes Zoey’s story so powerful is her ability to challenge the traditional path of real estate investing. Instead of chasing trends, she’s built a portfolio rooted in long-term value, strategic growth, and resilience. Her approach is a blueprint for anyone who wants to build wealth on their own terms.

This conversation will inspire you to see opportunities where others see obstacles. Zoey’s insights prove that with the right mindset, systems, and strategy, ordinary properties can become extraordinary investments.

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

[01:03] A short introduction about our guest Zoey Berghoff, and her journey in short-term rentals

[04:18] How Zoey’s first short-term rental was a 300-square-foot glamping dome that she and her husband partly lived in before deciding to rent it out while traveling

[07:34] Zoey explains how freelancing income, self-education, and trial-and-error opened the door to real estate investing

[12:34] Zoey shares her approach to telling her story on social media and encourages others to start small, stay consistent, and focus on impact over perfection

[15:49] Zoey highlights the dangers of comparison on social media and shares how focusing on slow, intentional growth in real estate helped her define success on her own terms

[19:13] How Zoey’s first ground-up construction project taught her the value of delayed gratification, forced appreciation, and learning the hard way through trial and error

[24:00] Zoey’s advice for vetting contractors and builders to protect your investment and avoid costly mistakes 

[29:38] Zoey’s philosophy on pay structure to protect yourself and maximize value in contractor agreements 

[33:07] The concept of forced appreciation in real estate and how buying undervalued properties can create massive equity gains in a short time

[36:50] How forced appreciation doesn’t always require major renovations—sometimes strategic cosmetic updates are enough to build equity and long-term wealth

[40:45] Zoey explains how equity and forced appreciation play a central role in scaling short-term rental portfolios

[44:38] Zoey reflects on her biggest mistake of trying to do everything herself instead of outsourcing sooner

[49:14] The lightning round 

Golden Nuggets:

• "Just share what you're doing. It doesn't have to be perfect. People want the behind the scenes. They want to know the challenges.”
• “You, as the investor, need to be logical about your decisions and not as emotional.”
• “You always get three quotes per job no matter what. And that's not to say you pick the lowest or the highest, but you need to know you're in the ballpark for the price you're being charged or quoted.”
• “You cannot get emotionally tied to the deal if the deal doesn't pencil the line items all have to make sense. If it doesn't come out to what you need, you drop the deal. It's literally as simple as that.”
• “Stay aligned on the journey that you're on, and don't compare it to others.”

Let’s Connect:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoeyberghoff

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zoeyberghoff

Website: https://www.zoeyberghoff.com/

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