All Forum Posts by: Moshe H.

If you like the idea of a little lake community in the woods in the Berkshires, try Otis or Becket MA, neither of which have adopted Airbnb regulations, but don't rely on me. You'll be a bit under 2.5 hours from Boston.

Hi! North Adams is just about ready to pass new STR regulations. Local operators are pretty concerned about some of the vague language and how much is left to the discretion of the local building inspector. I think pretty much only time will tell how difficult he makes it for us (esp investors from out of town), but I'm hopeful it won't be too onerous.

Lenox has famously enacted regulations that pretty much make it impossible to invest there. But there are some rural resort towns with lakefront properties that do not (yet...) have any regulations.

$120k could still be good. Remember when projecting expenses that 1) everything has gone up in price over the last two years, and 2) reliable labor is hard to find in the area. Know the deferred maintenance going in, and also be aware that it's almost certain to be more than $5k low estimate you gave above. Beware of the quality of last minute work seller does in order to sell the property. Pay for a full formal home inspection (probably $400+ I'm guessing) and ideally, be there when the inspector is doing it. This advice can transfer to any property you look at in the future :)

 Hi Timothy, I invest in the Berkshires as well. If you are looking for an investor-friendly agent, look no further than @Cory E. - he's the best! You can DM me for contact info. Good luck in Pittsfield.

 That's where I invest. $100k *might* be a very good price, depending on size, condition, neighborhood. Totally agree w/ @Chris Seveney. You need to be on the ground or someone in your corner there looking at it. If you're interested in North Adams I have the name of the property manager you want to use. If you want me to look at the details and give you advice on it, you can DM me. If you know you're going to pass, I'd be happy to take a look at it anyway.

If your property is in Pittsfield MA then I think the best way to get Sec8 tenants is to call the Pittsfield Housing authority and get on their landlord list. You will get calls from prospective section 8 tenants. You can call any of the Berkshire County housing authorities, maybe get on all their lists. 

This is probably governed by local law. You shouldn't have to guess. In Massachusetts we have to display it, I just have it on the wall in the kitchen in an unobtrusive but clearly visible location.

Hi @Alan Brown, unfortunately I don't have time to reply at length right now, but you're right - Massachusetts landlord laws are likely the toughest in the nation on a state level. North Adams has its challenges and its opportunities. It's very challenging for me to manage it remotely, but I am (by choice) renting out mostly C class apartments, which will be tough anywhere. There's a lot to say. On the other hand, my one SFH Airbnb in N. Adams is doing really great. Hopefully I'll circle back to this thread in a few days.

@Lindsay Brake kitty is back! LOL! My property manager asked some other tenants and when he heard the other tenant hadn't even reached out to them he was like, I'm not going to be more serious about this cat than the actual owner. Apparently it turned up a few days later, as cats are wont to do.

Not yet @Lindsay Brake but I'll try to update the thread when I hear! :)