All Forum Posts by: John Underwood

Another thought would be offer to put a small block wall like you have enclosing the fire pit at that same location. Either make it tall enough so that no one wants to sit on it or climb over, or make it low and put a glass railing on top so you can see still...it's less 'organic' than I'd usually want in a mountain retreat but I think given the fire pit you have there it works...it's more expensive, but durable so maybe it better solves his concerns.

Not sure what it's made of.

0 Votes

Quote from @Kerry Baird:

Wow! That’s sure ugly. I think a hedge of short evergreens might do. Or one of those willow (or bamboo) privacy screens.

Good ideas.

0 Votes

Neighbor that has 100 acres freaks when anyone walks on his property.

Beside our fire pit is the top of a mountain that substantially drops off.

He just put up this barrier.

I'll probably get this surveyed to get the exact property line, but it is in this general location.

One is idea is too plant some compact evergreen trees that don't grow too high.

Thoughts?

2 Votes

I doubt it matters.

The bottom line is what people look at to compare costs between one property and the next.

2 Votes

Our first STR property took us 2 years find what we wanted for a price we were willing to pay.

Its sounds like you are educating yourself. Always run the numbers and don't fall in love with a property and try to make it work when the spreadsheet shows it won't.

Be patient and you'll find a great property.

Always ask if seller will entertain owner financing (all or partial). Lots of people have paid for houses that might like the interest from a loan and minimize their capital gains exposure.

4 Votes

Jacksonville, Florida

Most of us do not live in your area.

You are better off looking on local FB groups, thumbtack or Turno.

1 Vote

Saint Petersburg, Florida

Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Quote from @Dan H.:

Quote from @Bruce Woodruff:

Quote from @Carolyn Fuller:

Quote from @Lauren Kormylo:

I don't have international guests. But this absolutely will affect international travel. I have family and friends in Canada who regularly visit the US, and they've cancelled all trips for the foreseeable future, they are hopping mad. I don't know how much this will affect guests from other countries, but it is bound to. I hope since your guests come mainly for the school there, you'll be spared a lot of it.

Unfortunately, this administration is at war with universities and scientific research and I rely heavily on Harvard & MIT which are taking major hits. They have already frozen hiring and I suspect that means there will be fewer visiting scholars. That certainly feels like what is happening, given the fact that our MTR inquires are way down and we haven't leased the full calendar year.

There are 4 legs of our retirement income and 3 of them are under threat (Stock Market, Rental Income, Social Security).

I agree that we really don't know what will happen with Social Security but Musk has certainly been rattling his chainsaw.

We know what is happening to the stock market but some people think it is short term pain and others fear a recession. I'm a lot less sanguine than @Bruce Woodruff but I also am in wait and see mode.

And I know for a fact that my rental income is taking a major hit. It now just depends upon how large a hit. So far, I know we will be down by at least by $6000 this year.

Sigh...

Actually, to be accurate, it is the Universities that have chosen their path and are finally getting called on their S**t.
And the Stock Market and Social Security are not under any threat. Once the economy settles down from the tariffs and all of these fraud and waste exposures, we (the US) will be rolling again. Just be patient. you will be fine, and I wish you the best!

I hope you’re right but I question the basis of your belief. Trump is associated with more bankruptcies than any other individual that I am aware of (at least 6). His initial “released” tax return shows he lost more money that year than any other US tax payer.

the S&P 500 has lost ~$5.25 trillion in 3 weeks which is the worst since the Covid decline.

what is occurring with DOGE is people with no domain knowledge are looking for fraud and determining who loses their job. They are doing this without regard to the legality or costs. My analogy is if your banker came to your job site to inspect the quality of work. The banker may be intelligent, but he has no domain knowledge.

as the saying goes, I am expecting a bumpy ride. I am fortunate to be financially diversified.

time will tell, but I do not share your confidence and my basis is based on trump’s financial track record.

Best of luck to everyone

Well, you're certainly entitled to your opinion, I'm sure that you realize that your views are a product of your filters. Most/many successful business people have had bankruptcies (Ray Kroc comes to mind). As someone who grew up outside of DC with parents/neighbors.friends who worked in that mess, it was obvious to anyone even back then that, let's say 'half' the people working there were incompetent, lazy or crooked.

It should be clear to anyone that we need to do some serious trimming of the Gov't fat. It will take a while and will have some unpleasant periods, but nonetheless it must be done. I fail to see how anyonne cannot agree that we need to cut at least some waste and fraud.

One of the FB groups that I frequent is a hiking group. It amazes me how many of these folks are screaming because there are some NAtional PArk Rangers that got fired. Now they can't have a guided hike, they have to go by themselves (for a while). They just scream about the cuts and seem to have zero clue as to what is going on with our country and the deficit. (Note, someone with some sense finally postedthe actual numbers - 1000 Park Rangers have been fired from over 400 Parks....do the math..that's 2.5 rangers per park. You;re telling me that we cano't get by with that reduction? This is just one example out of many.

Everybody suck it up and stay happy and positive!

Bruce you are so correct!

We can't keep spending more money than we take in. It is unsustainable. Most of the former U.S. Presidents promised to cut waste and fraud. Only one guy is catching flaq for actually doing it. It has to be done!

4 Votes

See if these articles are helpful:

Short-Term Rental Laws in Houston | What You Should Know! - The Leading All-In-One Vacation rental management software for Pros - Hostaway

City of Houston considers regulations for Airbnb, Vrbo, other short-term rentals – Houston Public Media

3 Votes

Don't put Butcher block into any rental!

I have heard horror stories of people using these as a cutting board and damaging them. Not worth the risk.

4 Votes

Quote from @Laura Winters:

It looks like Airbnb removed the most relevant option from the review.

Reviews are now organized by most recent, highest, and lowest rating. (default most recent)

It was ridiculous they were showing years-old bad reviews at the top with the new change.

Good thing they hear our voices!

I don't have any bad reviews so not an issue for me.

Plus when I'm booking a place I look at the lowest reviews first so no real impact.

3 Votes

All Forum Posts by: John Underwood

John Underwood has started 109 posts and replied 12276 times.

Post: Crazy neighbor put up this barrier

Post: Crazy neighbor put up this barrier

Post: Crazy neighbor put up this barrier

Post: Airbnb Service Fee Options

Post: Feeling Stuck in Analysis Paralysis

Post: Largo / Clearwater, FL - 5-6 BR Cleaner Recommendations Needed

Post: Impact of International Travelers Cancelling US Travel

Post: Regulations short term/vacation rentals

Post: Airbnb Kitchen Renovation – Should I Change the Countertops?

Post: Airbnb's review system rollback

John Underwood has started 109 posts and replied 12276 times.

Biggerpockets Logo Post: Crazy neighbor put up this barrier

Biggerpockets Logo Post: Crazy neighbor put up this barrier

Biggerpockets Logo Post: Crazy neighbor put up this barrier

Biggerpockets Logo Post: Airbnb Service Fee Options

Biggerpockets Logo Post: Feeling Stuck in Analysis Paralysis

Biggerpockets Logo Post: Largo / Clearwater, FL - 5-6 BR Cleaner Recommendations Needed

Biggerpockets Logo Post: Impact of International Travelers Cancelling US Travel

Biggerpockets Logo Post: Regulations short term/vacation rentals

Biggerpockets Logo Post: ﻿﻿﻿Airbnb Kitchen Renovation – Should I Change the Countertops?

Biggerpockets Logo Post: Airbnb's review system rollback

Post: Crazy neighbor put up this barrier

Post: Crazy neighbor put up this barrier

Post: Crazy neighbor put up this barrier

Post: Airbnb Service Fee Options

Post: Feeling Stuck in Analysis Paralysis

Post: Largo / Clearwater, FL - 5-6 BR Cleaner Recommendations Needed

Post: Impact of International Travelers Cancelling US Travel

Post: Regulations short term/vacation rentals

Post: Airbnb Kitchen Renovation – Should I Change the Countertops?

Post: Airbnb's review system rollback