All Forum Posts by: Maria Ferre

Hi, I had an inspection on a home I'm interested in buying and the inspector spotted a pile of Vermiculite insulation, which could obtain asbestos (it looks like a big pile of kitty litter in one corner of the attic). There's no way to tell for sure if it contains asbestos or not, unless I have it tested. 

The broker says to just keep it there, not touch it. I'm concerned I'll have this same problem when I go to sell the house some day, and the buyer may want it removed. Anyone have any experience with this and any thoughts? The seller wants to close asap and getting this tested would delay the process, and I'm not sure they'll agree to having it tested.  House was built in 1952. 

Anyone have any thoughts on a 3 -season cottage for a STR? I'm looking at buying one in a pretty touristy lake in CT. However, I'm a little reluctant to buy in what seems like the very top of the market, over asking, cash, and also --- I'm concerned about a coming recession.

If it were year-round I could at least rent it out full time. But with a 3 -season, I'm wondering if I'll get enough STR from it if there is a recession.

I've also never managed a 3-season. Any thoughts??? 

Hi all, need some advice. 

I have an apartment in NY which I'm renting out and soon moving to the Norwalk Connecticut area with my small daughter. I have enough money to buy a 2 bed condo for about $300K in Norwalk, and then a vacation house in upstate Connecticut for another $300K which I can use, and AIRBNB.. I'd put $100K cash down on each property.). The condo would be for about 2-3 years of living until my daughter is old enough for school. 

The condo eventually will need a new kitchen, but not now. It's definitely do-able. I can rent if out if I move at some point. 

OR -- I can just spend $600K (200K$ cash down) on a totally updated, 4 bedroom house in a residential area of  Norwalk where my daughter and I can live. 

I want to put my cash in real estate obviously and wondering if it's wiser to split it up into 2 properties, or 1... 

@Jason Stoltzfus Tobyhanna 

^^ Thanks for the input. Very helpful!

I should add what's holding me back is not enough info on the cottage, b/c of the area. It's likely the nicest house in the neighborhood. 

I've been eyeing two properties in totally different locations. 

One of the properties is near the Poconos in Pennsylvania, 3 bedroom, house. They allow airbnb of the house. The property is all updated, clean, ready to move in. Would just need furniture. The cost is close to 200K. Id use it as a vacation home since I live 2.5 hours away, and airbnb when not in it. Rental would be around 200-250 / night . occupancy 55%. 

The other property is an A-frame in Ohio, near hillsboro. 2 bedroom, A-frame cottage for 125K, furnished. Its the nicest house in a neighborhood where some houses are ok, but others are not so nice. The property is a flip. The owners did an amazing job with flipping it. The house next to it though is an empty mobile home--  though the owner mows the lawn so the lawn is maintained.  I really love the A-frame. It's such a cute house and its already an airbnb though only about 1 month into the airbnb. Rent is 99/night. Only 1 review on it and the review was good. The cottage is booked for the next 2 months at about 85%. The area is good for hunting and fishing. I'd need to fly to get there. Such a cute cottage. 

Any thoughts? 

Hi, I'm not sure if I'm allowed to ask here, but any idea of any good airbnb consultants? I'm deciding between two properties and need advice from a really knowledgable consultant. thanks!

I really want to invest in a vacational property near a lake in CT. To use for myself and then rent out short term the days I'm not using it. 

I'm thinking of buying a small piece of land, and putting a pre-fab home on it.

Has anyone ever done this before? Is this a crazy idea? Can I get financing to do this?  Welcome any thoughts!

I'm looking at the possibility of buying a short term rental --- and see two that I like (different locations though). My question is, is it advantageous to get a 1 bedroom, or a 2 bedroom house?

1) The 1-bedroom is a cabin like place in the mountains, 600 SQ FT. (it was a 2-bedroom) but was remodeled into a 1-bed for the purpose of STR.) Looking at comps it can rent for 150-180/night.

2) The other is a 2-bedroom bungalow near a growing town in North Carolina. Breweries around, hiking, about an hour from charlotte. It can rent for 100-120/night. 

Thoughts on wether a 1-bedroom, or 2-bedroom STR does better?? And re-sale value afterwards?