We are excited to share the launch of Kansas City Home Renovations with Small Hall Containers. This new podcast series is focused all around helping homeowners with their renovation and restoration projects by bringing expert contractors, associations, designers and homeowners in the Kansas City area on the show. For our first guest we’re excited to feature Johnny Youssef. From Cairo Egypt, to becoming a designer, real estate mogul and social media influencer in Kansas City with over 111,000 followers! This article summarizes his interview insights, renovation advice, design recommendations as well as provides links from local leaders to follow. Listen to the full podcast interview below followed by the article summary.
Q: Johnny, can you share how you initially got involved in real estate and design?
A: Yeah, it was kind of by accident. I was in college in Virginia renting. I realized, man, I’m paying $500 a month in rent. That’s a lot of money to throw away for four years in college. There was a neighborhood where they were building affordable housing near my college and I encouraged my parents to look into it. I knew that if we qualified for a house, I could have my friends live in it, pay the mortgage, I could live for free, and then my brother afterwards could move into it when he’s in college. I just encouraged them to do it. I didn’t know anything about real estate, but we looked into it. My parents bought at the worst time but the good thing was it was at a time where even if you shouldn’t qualify, everyone qualified. They gave loans to everyone back then. Fast forward I was managing six houses for my parents as well as another home for a relative. I was responsible for 35 dudes. That’s kind of how I got started.
Q: What led you to Kansas City, and how did you adapt to the market here?
A: My move to Kansas City was for a short internship. However, the investment opportunities were affordable, and the potential for rental income was incredible. My strategy of buying, renovating, and renting out properties snowballed, and I knew I was going to stay here.
Q: Many of our listeners are homeowners looking to undertake renovation projects. Where should they start?
A: Start with a vision. Before diving into renovations, have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Whether it’s opening up a kitchen or updating a bathroom, understanding your goals and having a concept is crucial. I recommend Pinterest and Houzz to gain inspiration. Then, bring in a contractor for bids. It’s also essential to communicate your vision clearly to ensure the end result aligns with your expectations.
Q: In your experience, what role does an interior designer play in renovations?
A: Interior designers are invaluable for their ability to craft aesthetically pleasing and cohesive spaces. They manage everything from selecting tiles to deciding on the flow of rooms. However, it’s essential to balance their creative vision with the practicality of a good general contractor. Both roles are crucial, though their focus differs significantly.
Q: You’ve mentioned your transition from being skeptical about design to embracing it. How did that come about?
A: Initially, I had a very narrow view of design. It wasn’t until I encountered a completely beige house that I realized the power of design in transforming a space. Design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about smart business decisions and creating environments that speak to people. That realization pushed me to get into design, leading me to become more involved in every aspect of the renovation process.
Q: Lastly, any recommendations on local leaders we should follow or have on future episodes?
A: I don’t know if you’ve heard of the Unruh family. His son owns Unruh Furniture. They have a couple of things, but he went into Grandview and just really believed in it and transformed one of the main strips of commercial properties, brought businesses there, fixed houses around them, and so it’s really cool to see someone that believes in a vision and also is strategic to bring value to the community. So, Kip Unruh is a big one. Obviously, there’s also Tamara Day. She has her own show, Bargain Mansions, and she does a phenomenal job with her flips. She’s been great. We got to meet a couple of times and it’s always really nice and fun to just see what she’s doing and follow her story. So I would say both of them are great people.
Key Takeaways
Johnny Youssef’s journey from a college student trying to save on rent to a key figure in Kansas City’s real estate and design scene is not just inspiring but also a testament to the power of vision, adaptability, and hard work. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to renovate or an aspiring real estate investor, Johnny’s insights offer valuable guidance for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of home renovation and investment.
Follow Johnny’s Journey
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