
J’ai Acheté 8 Villas à Bali pour 2’000’000€
Audio Summary
AI Summary
In 2021, despite achieving financial and personal freedom, the speaker felt a void and decided to take a three-month trip to Bali. After an initial period of non-stop partying, he spent four days alone in the forest to self-reflect. During this time, he noticed the increasing traffic and exploding Airbnb prices in Bali, indicating a significant gap between demand and supply in the rental market.
Upon returning to Dubai, he discussed with friends the idea of investing in a villa in Bali to list on Airbnb. Within 24 hours, they decided to proceed. They looked for a three-bedroom villa with a "wow effect" for Airbnb listings and a good location. After a few days, they found a newly built three-bedroom villa with a private pool in Seminyak for $280,000, under a 32-year leasehold contract. In Indonesia, foreigners cannot own property outright (freehold) but can acquire leasehold, which is a long-term rental contract (25-35 years) allowing them to build on the land. At the end of the contract, the land and structures revert to the local owner. The $280,000 over 32 years equated to approximately $729 per month, or $24 per day, making it a highly attractive and profitable investment.
They formed a company and purchased the villa cash in November 2022. They invested an additional $20,000 to upgrade the villa with televisions, new linens, premium decor, and other small improvements, naming it "Blue Water Villa." They arranged a photoshoot, created the Airbnb listing, and hired a local agency to manage all operations, including check-ins, check-outs, reservations, guest communication, and daily maintenance. This made the investment largely passive for them.
The villa saw immediate success, with a first reservation of $12,000 for 30 days during December and January. They maintained an 80% occupancy rate and continuously optimized their Airbnb listing, pricing, and photos. In the first year, the villa generated over $30,000 in net profit after all expenses. A year and a half later, they received a purchase offer of $350,000 and accepted it. By the time of sale, they had accumulated over $60,000 in net rental income and realized a capital gain of $50,000, resulting in a total net profit of over $110,000 on the operation, representing a 36% return on investment over 18 months.
They decided to sell because Seminyak was becoming increasingly saturated, and they identified Canggu and Pererenan as emerging hotspots. They also realized that cutting out intermediaries and investing in off-plan projects (where the land and villa plans are ready, only construction remains) could yield higher returns.
They found two adjacent three-bedroom villas for $180,000 each, totaling $360,000 for a 35-year leasehold contract. This project, named "Villa Bora Bora," seemed perfect due to its location and potential. After some challenges with contractors, they invested more to complete the final 10% of construction. Today, these two villas operate automatically on Airbnb, earning between $100 and $130 per night with a median 70% occupancy rate, generating $4,000-$5,000 per month in revenue after charges. They received an offer of $260,000 for one villa and aim to sell both for $500,000.
Learning from past contractor issues, they decided to take full control of their next project, from land acquisition to design and construction, to maximize returns and ensure timely completion. They purchased a 770 sqm plot in central Canggu for $300,000 under a 30-year leasehold contract. They planned to build five villas, calling the project "Aya Townhouse": four identical three-story, three-bedroom townhouses with private pools, and a larger fifth villa.
The initial budget was $1 million, but the real cost escalated to $1.3 million with a six-month delay. The project faced numerous challenges, including neighbor disputes, accidents, and a contractor abandoning the project at 90% completion. Despite these setbacks, which added $300,000 to the cost, the project was completed in September 2025.
Currently, three of the townhouses are rented long-term for $3,000 per month each, generating $9,000 in net monthly income. The large villa is rented for $3,600 per month until the end of the year. Additionally, one townhouse is available on Airbnb, generating $150-$200 per day with 70% occupancy. The Aya project yields approximately $15,000 in net monthly profit.
Cumulatively, their investments in Bali approach $2 million. While returns are good, they are less lucrative than in early 2022 due to increased supply in the market. The speaker plans a new project focused on creating an immersive experience rather than just prime location.
The speaker reflects on his journey, attributing his success to e-commerce, which he started in 2017. He emphasizes that material possessions, like a luxury watch he once bought, offer only fleeting satisfaction and serve to fill a void or prove oneself to others. True fulfillment, he realized, comes from freedom—the ability to choose where, when, and with whom he works. This understanding led him to create eCom Accelerator a year ago, an ecosystem designed to help others achieve financial freedom through e-commerce. He cites examples of members like Bless, who achieved over €250,000 in revenue with 30% profit margin, and Damien, who reached €10,000 in revenue in 32 days. The program guarantees €10,000 in revenue within three months or a full refund, backed by a lawyer's attestation. It offers comprehensive training, personalized coaching, and a community of over 1100 entrepreneurs.
The video then transitions to a tour of one of the Aya Townhouses, highlighting its features like a small pool, spacious living area with a large TV, fully equipped kitchen, and three symmetrical bedrooms. The master bedroom on the top floor includes a work area, terrace, large dressing room, and a bathroom with a view. A sauna is being installed to enhance its appeal on Airbnb. The speaker also briefly shows the exterior of the "Bora Bora" villas and mentions plans for activities with his CMO, Benoit, including a visit to a cremation temple and potentially a yoga or boxing session.