2 days Ago By Brijiena Lovelace
Sara McDaniel/CNBC Make ItNESTLED in the heart of northwest Louisiana, property developer Sara McDaniel is revitalizing the community with affordable places to stay.The LA native now calls the sleepy town of Minden home, and she’s taking on the housing gap with one strategic investment at a time.Sara McDaniel/CNBC Make ItThe ambitious project started out rough[/caption]Sara McDaniel/CNBC Make ItThe renovation budget was just over $700,000[/caption]With a portfolio of “27 total doors,” McDaniel is steadily reshaping Minden’s real estate landscape and revitalizing the town with fewer than 11,000 residents.
Eleven of her holdings operate as short-term rentals, while the others serve as long-term housing or investment properties.Demand is high, and her waiting list for rental clients is extensive. “If I had unlimited funds, I would purchase additional properties to turn into affordable housing options,” she shared.
A HISTORICAL JOURNEYHer most ambitious project to date boasts a rich history.McDaniel has been busy restoring the historic Villas at Spanish Court, a block of eight Spanish-style villas dating back to 1931. Abandoned since the 1980s, the property showed significant deterioration.
When a childhood friend offered McDaniel the chance to buy the villas, she was shocked by the condition – think caving ceilings and extensive decay. Despite the daunting state, she purchased it for $50,000, determined to breathe new life into a little slice of Minden history. “You don’t see Spanish-style architecture much in northwest Louisiana,” McDaniel noted.
While obtaining renovation permits was straightforward, unexpected challenges arose, including asbestos and lead paint remediation.To cover the environmental cleanup, she secured a $46,000 loan through the LDEQ’s Brownfield Cleanup Revolving Loan program, selling a property in Texas to fund the remainder of the work.The project took 18 months to complete, and in February 2023, the Villas at Spanish Court reopened to guests.
While financial gain was never her primary goal, the property has seen significant success.In 2024 alone, revenue from the villas reached $220,000—all of which goes back into their upkeep and improvement.A FUTURE VISIONMcDaniel personally oversaw the interior design for the project, infusing each one-bedroom villa with Southern charm.
Now available for short-term stays, the villas offer visitors a cozy retreat near downtown Minden, a town she describes as “the friendliest city in the South.”But it’s not just about the profit.“This project is more about investing in our community and a historic structure than making money,” she explains.
Her vision extends beyond restorations.She aims to revitalize the once-troubled street known for crime to provide job opportunities through her renovation efforts.McDaniel’s also recently launched the Phillip’s Cottage nonprofit in honor of her late father.
The organization transforms homes into a transitional residence for women with children graduating from the Louisiana Teen Challenge program. Expected to open by August, it will provide a fresh start for families overcoming addiction and hardship.“I take calculated risks every day that terrify me,” she admits.
“Ultimately, I also believe in people over profit and work tirelessly to leave a legacy rather than make a gazillion dollars. “I want people to remember me for the work I did while on earth and not how much money I made.”.
