We bought the building so our cafe wouldn't have to pay rent. Buying real estate with a friend can be tricky - here's how we did it.

"Part of the reason we bought the building was so our café wouldn't face a sudden rent hike,"

"There are several cafés in Jersey that have closed because their rent doubled."

"The money we make from Airbnb helps keep our business alive,"

"It's not about getting rich quick; it's about being able to sustain ourselves, this building, and build wealth."

Isreal Adeyanju co-owns Kọ Café in New Jersey with Samuel Osei-Afriyie. The café opened in 2023 and initially rented its space for $1,400 a month. The 3,600-square-foot building includes the café and two upstairs three-bedroom, two-bath apartments. Adeyanju and Osei-Afriyie purchased the building for $740,000 with investors holding 15% and the pair holding 85%. Since 2024, short-term rentals of the two apartments via Airbnb have generated over $100,000, helping pay down the mortgage. The café hosts open mic nights, live podcast recordings, and workshops on homeownership and career development. Adeyanju recommends having a clear game plan for expenses when co-buying.

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