All Forum Posts by: Karin Torbenson

@Kenneth Garrett the reason that I purchased this place is because Chelan is a HUGE tourist destination here in WA. Mainly in the summer months, but enough throughout the rest of the year to cover expenses. They are shooting themselves in the foot by doing this. I just can't see the logic, no matter how hard I try!

@Sue K. Thank you for the advice! A friend just sent me a link to a webpage that (from how he described it) is a lot like Airbnb for traveling nurses. It is a very small town with only one little hospital so I'm not sure that will be a viable option, but it doesn't hurt to try!

And yes, the city definitely needs to find a better way to deal with their housing problem. What I really don't understand is that by doing this they are further depressing an already sinking local economy that thrives on tourism! I was providing a place for tourists to stay, paying taxes to the city, and supporting local businesses (I had a local cleaning company there 2 or 3 times a week)! Now I am going to rent this house out long term. No tourist revenue, no city taxes. For as much money as I can rent it out for, the local bartender down the road isn't going to be able to afford it. So it hurts the economy and does nothing to help the shortage of long term housing. The fact that it makes no sense whatsoever is the most infuriating part!

@Danny Polanski it is a cabin style house with only 1 room and a loft, so unfortunately not. That would be a great idea if it was plausible!

@Taylor L. Their goal in Chelan is to create more long term housing. The way they are going about it seems ignorant to me. I can rent my house out monthly for way more than what any local bartender can afford. They should be providing incentives for people to build apartments instead. The entire thing is maddening, to say the least.

I have a big problem brought about by some new Airbnb zoning regulations in the city of Chelan, WA. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated, I am at my wit's end with this situation!

I purchased a house in December 2018 with the sole intention of fixing it up and renting it on Airbnb. In November 2019 the city adopted new regulations. These regulations put me LITERALLY ONE BLOCK outside of the area where Airbnbs are allowed to operate. I asked about a variance and was told that I could apply, but it wouldn't be approved. They are trying to create more long term housing in the city and destroying my business in the process! Has anyone dealt with this type of situation before? Are there any loopholes or do I have any recourse at all? Here are the new regulations if anyone is interested:

https://cityofchelan.us/short-term-home-rentals/

Please let me know if you have any suggestions. Thank you!

@Jay Hinrichs

Thank you for the information! I will definitely look into that.

@Jay Hinrichs

What do you mean by uninsurable in the future? Forgive my ignorance, as I said this is my first investment property. I am just learning about all of this.

You are correct in that the seller is not very bright. Luckily for him we are not the kind of people who will screw him over. He was so behind on property taxes that he was about to lose the house in Chelan. Our monthly payment is his only source of income. We got an amazing interest rate, he didn't lose the house, and he has an income for the rest of his life. It was a mutually beneficial situation... until this mess with all of his stuff still being there!

Thank you everyone for your responses! As I said I am new to all of this and I want to be sure that there are no legal ramifications for getting rid of his things. He has said that he wants them, but after 7 months enough is enough! I am going to notify him in person and in writing that he has 2 more weeks. After that it is going bye bye. I will be sure to take pictures of everything as well. Thank you again, I appreciate it so much!

@James Wise

We signed a quitclaim deed, had it notarized, and filed it with the county. As far as anyone is concerned we own the house outright. We also signed a real estate contract that we both have notarized copies of, but it is not on file anywhere. We mail him his monthly payment and that is that.

@Matthew Paul Ha ha ha! Trust me, we have considered that option! Only problem is that there is nothing here that anybody in their right mind would steal. I'm pretty sure that even tweakers wouldn't take this crap! 😂