All Forum Posts by: Dan Stewart

Thank you guys for your replies. I don't know the exact dimensions but I have a pretty small bedroom right now and these are even smaller. This neighborhood is a nicer neighborhood. This house is the smallest on the street. 

I'm worried about the resale of the house. I keep going back and fourth of pulling the trigger. I think to make anything out of the house you have to completely move all the walls in the area of the bedroom. If I have to do that, I don't think you would get your money back. 

I am looking at a property with extremely small bedrooms. Like the smallest, you could imagine. How important are big bedrooms to renters? and would it sell well with small bedrooms in the future?

Thanks in advance for any advice

We are looking for a reliable housekeeper for a vacation rental of ours in Hale, Mi. Having some difficulties finding someone reliable. We think we find someone and then they disappear or can't provide references and then disappear. 

If anyone has any leads on a reliable housekeeper we would love to chat with them. We would just do it ourselves but the house in 2.5 hours away and we are pretty busy during the summer. 

Thank you to anyone who can provide any help! 

I have been looking for something north of Detroit and I am having a hard time finding anything. There is a nice place in roseville that I would have liked to check out but the landlord had very strict guide lines and never let us in the house. The realestate agent said that is probably why the house is not selling and it's still on the market 8 months later. I'm not sure of your pricing but the only duplex I found in the 50,000 to 100,000 dollar range were in Pontiac and Detroit. As of now, that is not a place I want to venture. Sorry I can't be much help but just wanted to offer you what I have come across the past 6 months. Good Luck!

Hey Guys,

So I have been working for myself and other the past 10 years. I make 95% of my money during the summer. I am either 1099 by people or get paid cash under the table which I put towards my business. I also have been investing in stocks since my dad bought me my first stock at 1 years old. I can't remember the last time I received a w2. I have been living with my parents and friends ever since I got out of college. I have a charter fishing job on Lake St. Clair in Michigan that takes 7 months and I need to move closer to the lake because I am currently 1 hour and 10 minutes away. After running doubles and triples last summer, the last thing I want to do is make that drive again. 

I have started looking at 12 month leases apartments but everyone wants w2s which I don't have. When I tell them I make most my money throughout the summer they won't buy it. I could buy a house right now with cash. However, I plan on moving in the next few years up north and don't feel it would be a great investment right now with the market so high. I also want to buy a vacation rental home with the cash I have saved. I could get another job but I still wouldn't make the required amount of money apartments need. 

What do people do who own their own businesses to get apartments? 

Thanks for any advice!

I emailed him a list of houses 2 weeks ago. He took 3 days to set up showings and I grew concerns about him immediatly. He came through at the last minute and we looked at 4 houses. 3 of them were not what I wanted. 1 of them I like but I don't want to jump on the first house. I told him all my concerns and my thoughts. 

He contacted me several days later when I was headed up north about a bunch of deals that were coming on the market. I told him that I would check them out when I got home. Many of them were in the ghetto or to far away from where I wanted to be located. 

Some new houses came on the market last week. I asked him to look into them and asked him about a house that had a pending offer then came back on the market. No response...

I haven't heard from him since I asked. I read all of your responses (Thank you!) and talked to other real estate agents. I have moved onto to another real estate agent. 

Thanks again everyone!

Hi guys, I have been dealing with a real estate agent for a couple of weeks. I have been finding some deals online and when I contact my guy about them, he seems to drag his feet for a couple a days. I feel like I am missing out on possible deals because of him. Am I expecting to much? Or, should he be moving faster. This is the first time I have ever used a real estate agent so I am not really sure what to expect. I know when I work for someone I get right on the job or communicate when I will get the job done. To me it doesn't seem like he cares to much about me getting my first deal. Thanks for any advice

@Nick Jacaruso

I only have 8 months of using airbnb so take it for what it's worth. We have had some good success with it last year. Like it has been mentioned, you need to put together a good team to make this work. 

The only problem I have come across and luckily we haven't experience, is Airbnb and its security deposits. I have read and heard some horror stories about getting that money to fix issues in your cottage that guest destroyed. 

It sounds like you have a great rental with the full year of tourism going on. Where we rent our cottage is more of summer rental. We get some fall and holiday rentals but lots of vacancies between then. As long as those types of people who visit your area are people who use Airbnb, you should have no problem booking your place up. 

Also, if you decide to have a set schedule of when you want people to come and go, do not change that. We originally had it where people would show up on Saturday and leave a week later. We made some adjustments during the summer for people and it really cost us in the end. 

I hope what I said makes sense and good luck. Lots of great people and information here.

I have been reading for months about investing and keeping an eye on the market in the area I wanted to possibly buy. As an investor, it says the best thing you can do is get a place for a deal and don't settle for anything less. I am looking for a vacation rental that could be rented out for 12 months out of the year and not just during the summer months. However, it looks as if the prices are 25,000 to 50,000 more than I was originally willing to spend. Even places that need alot of work. Is this normal for vacation rentals? Or, should I continue to look for a deal?

Thanks for any advice!

Beautiful Vr Maura!