All Forum Posts by: Daniel Judge

 If you search for news on the Intel build now, you'll find lots as they had major updates last week. Basically completion timeline is delayed by about a year, I believe, but construction continues. Heaven and earth have already been moved on the site, if you look at photos. 

 We're in the Hocking Hills area of OH, so the challenge tends to be finding land where you can get a driveway into it and the interior isn't too steep. We lucked into some wooded hunting land that already had the driveway and was relatively flat on the front end with a ravine and small creek cutting through the middle of it, leaving two sides and a somewhat scenic area in the middle. Debating creating a pond in the middle portion. It gets hilly towards the back and theres a bluff overlooking the ravine that we will probably use in the future to place another unit someday, but currently, we're just setting two units up on smaller bluffs looking down on the ravine. The entire parcel is a large rectangle and surrounded on two sides by other hunting grounds while the third side is owned by someone with 7 or 8 tiny-ish STRs on it. 

We found a great local credit union with pretty agreeable terms. Not sure if they lend out of state, but happy to send their info if interested. Rural 1st is a national outfit with a good reputation and they might be able to assist with the land purchase.

My wife and I are doing something similar in the Logan/Hocking Hills area mentioned by @Robert Ellis. We're starting with 2 tiny units on 17 acres. It's been a learning experience for sure.

If you're buying raw land, definitely research through your county what it'll take to get utilities established. For example, we're having to get easements in place with a neighbor to establish electric and you should include a soil inspections as part of your due diligence period to make sure you can place septics (check with the county to see if you can tie multiple units into a single septic or if they have restrictions around this; our county is relatively lax, but does require each unit to have it's own septic system; really overkill for tiny units that is going to add a decent amount to our bottom line). If you're able to access city utilities, probably much easier, but I wouldn't discourage you from pursuing something more out there. WiFi is also going to be an issue given how rural we are, so we're having to go with Starlink, which has its pros and cons. 

Obviously finding land with "character" would be ideal, but that can also make building more difficult. That's a give and take. One thing I might suggest is considering going bigger than 3-5 acres for 3-5 tiny houses. It would depend on your market and I don't know yours, but STR guests in our area tend to value privacy/seclusion and so stacking units on top of one another isn't preferred. We hope to eventually place a total of 4 on our 17 acres and not go beyond that, so we can keep that sense of space around each unit for the guest experience.

Being relative novices for a project like this, it was also helpful having a couple trusted sources walk the land with us and give their opinions. It helped offer a little confidence that our plans were feasible before pulling the trigger. 

I know the Veteran Service Commission (https://vets.franklincountyohio.gov/) can help in this department if the prospect is a military veteran and hasn't already exceeded their limits in terms of financial support for the year. 

I also found these potential resources:

"Housing Assistance Homeless Hotline helps tenants, homeowners, single mothers or families with children who need financial aid for back rent, and others. The phone number is 614-274-7000 or 888-474-3587. Referrals are given to churches, local charities and other places that can help. Find rental arrears assistance, storage cost fees, moving for moving or deposits and other social services.

Volunteers of America Greater Ohio may have limited funds for housing costs, whether rent, mortgages or utilities. The address is 1780 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43203. All funds are limited and the goal is to stop homelessness, with a focus on veterans, the elderly, or disabled. Call 614.253.6100.

Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging only assists people over 50 (the elderly, seniors, etc.). Grants, home repair loans, emergency rent help and more is part of the Housing Assistance Program (HAP). There is also information on subsidized homes or apartments for seniors, medical items, and other financial aid - in addition to for rent. Address is 3776 South High Street, Columbus, OH 43207. Phone (614) 645-7250"

Best of luck!

 You bet. Can you give a little more info on your budget, goals, etc., and I'll try to give you my suggestions for what areas might fit your preferences. 

Recommend checking out how many students attend Ohio State vs. Yale. People pay rent with money, not their SAT scores. 

Those are in a pretty sweet spot (quick drive to Rock House, Conkle's Hollow, Cantwell Cliffs and Old Man's Cave - that's not an easy thing for a property to accomplish with how spread out things are in Hocking Hills). Should be pretty popular STRs when they get put back into service!

Could you clarify the "make your operating agreement with targeted capital allocation" comment?

 Hi Alyssa, just sent you a PM with his info!