Alternative Portland Housing/AirBnB Subleasing

[Matt Lowery]

I have a unique situation I'm trying to find solutions for. My girlfriend, from Kansas City, has some severe autoimmune diseases. Severe enough that although she's extremely active and upbeat, she's essentially been day-to-day for several years now. The one specialist in the country that can possibly get her better is in Portland, but it's an experimental treatment that's extremely expensive and we cannot solve how to afford that, her apartment in KC, travel, etc. To the point, that I think she's ready to give up.

I'm convinced there's a better way for housing than the short term, but expensive, housing she has been using. I'm not in a position to take out a 4th mortgage right now but my first thought is that a loft or one-bedroom apartment that could be used as an AirBnB when she's not in town would work. I don't know how realistic that is in Portland (I'm also in Kansas but travel a lot). A tiny house would work really well since she just needs a good size bed for days she's recovering from treatments and decent kitchen space for her highly specialized diet. But, I wouldn't be able to build one for her as quickly as she needs it. I'll likely be joining to help her out some and we've discussed that my appraiser/flipper/realtor skill set is something that would let me land on my feet pretty easy if we need to move there permanently for a year or two. Or if I need to find someone to help out one week a month with analysis, appraisals, project management, etc.

Is an apartment that I can AirBnB realistic in Portland? I can take a small monthly "loss" and not have it be a big deal. Are there any ideas I'm not thinking of here? I'm pretty much open to any concept, but I think she's too defeated at this point to be able to see any solutions.

[Jay Hinrichs]

@Mike Nuss  is an expert at city of Portland rental laws.

I think the city is tightening up on Air bnb but don't know about arbitraging them.. 

but renting a room from someone might be the way to go.. rents are going to be higher 

here than KC on the whole.. especially if you have to be closer to downtown or OHSU..

But maybe we can get Mike to help you out..