Hamptons Home Flipper Earns $360,000 from Airbnb and Uses Instagram Brand Partnerships to Fund Renovations

Blythe Graham-Jones, 39, a former advertising executive, turned her passion for real estate into a flourishing business by flipping and renting out homes in the Hamptons. Documenting her projects on Instagram for her 10,200 followers, she leverages social media to attract brand partnerships, reducing costs and enhancing her profitability. Her journey began in 2017 when she and her husband, Cody, a tech sales professional, purchased a neglected three-bedroom home in East Hampton for $635,000 while they were still renting in Brooklyn and expecting their first child. The initial home was far from perfect, with a cluttered and inefficient layout. However, Graham-Jones saw the potential and started making incremental improvements. She painted the walls white and adorned the space with stylish, budget-friendly Ikea rattan furniture. Over two years, the couple re-invested all rental income into further renovations, gradually refining the property. In 2019, a significant turning point came when they refinanced the home and obtained a $250,000 Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). This allowed Graham-Jones to undertake a major renovation, transforming the layout by creating a spacious living room and an open kitchen. She also added a primary bedroom with an en-suite bathroom, substantially increasing the home’s value. According to Zillow, the property is now valued at $1.8 million, a substantial return on their initial investment. Graham-Jones' experience in project management proved invaluable during the renovation process. She excelled at navigating the complexities and logistics involved, skills she honed while working in advertising. Recognizing the flexibility and family-friendly aspects of her new career, she transitioned fully to renovation and real estate in 2021, leaving her corporate job behind to focus on her growing ventures. Her social media presence, particularly on Instagram and her LTK shopping page, has become a crucial element of her strategy. Graham-Jones collaborates with brands like Kingston Brass, which gift her with high-value fixtures in exchange for showcasing their products in her renovation videos. These partnerships not only reduce renovation costs but also enhance the appeal of the properties to potential buyers and renters. The business model Graham-Jones has developed includes a mix of flipping homes for profit, renting existing properties on Airbnb, and offering design consulting services. Her goal is to sell one renovated home annually while maintaining a steady stream of rental income from two other properties. Both of these properties are fully-equipped five-bedroom homes with pools, generating a total of $360,000 in Airbnb revenue last year. East Hampton remains her preferred location due to its favorable regulations on short-term rentals. The town allows a minimum two-week stay, with specific exceptions for holidays, which Graham-Jones strategically uses to maximize occupancy. Her multiple income sources provide her with financial stability and flexibility, allowing her to balance her business with family life. In addition to her Instagram and LTK activities, Graham-Jones offers design consulting services starting at $1,000 for a consultation or $5,000 per month for retainer-based work. This diversified income structure ensures that she is not solely dependent on the unpredictable nature of the real estate market. Industry insiders commend Graham-Jones for her strategic approach to real estate and social media. Her ability to leverage brand partnerships to cut costs and increase property values sets her apart in a highly competitive market. Companies like Kingston Brass benefit from her authentic content, which effectively showcases their products in real-life settings, attracting a broader audience. Graham-Jones’ background in advertising and project management has equipped her with the skills needed to succeed in the multifaceted world of real estate and digital marketing. Her success story serves as an inspiring example for others looking to transition from corporate roles to more flexible and fulfilling careers. Her business model highlights the importance of leveraging multiple income streams and the power of social media in modern real estate ventures.