All Forum Posts by: Tom R.

I talked to my realtor and it is a cash offer only listing. I told her to put out some feelers at $20k which is the most I could do as a cash offer right now. At that price even if I had to demolish the house and the barn and build new construction I got a good deal.

The only reason I would consider this is I am in the process of planning some new construction and have been looking for land with utilities with a view and this lot has all of that. I actually drove by that house a couple of weeks ago and thought it would be a good spot if that old house wasnt there.

@Lisa Thoele 1 acre in this area goes from between $10k and $35k without utilities on the property.

I've located an unusual property that needs a lot of work but I think has a lot of potential. It's a 3/2 1100 sqft geodesic dome on 1.3 acres. It has a detached garage but it is in such bad shape that I think it will have to come down. The house will have to be completely redone inside and out. I think I can probably get it for less than 30k. How do you suggest I go about evaluating this house? I suppose I should bring a contractor with me when I checkout the property but I dont really know what else I should do.

Unique is the plan. That's part of the reason I want new construction.  I've also designed the house so that I would want to live in it should the air bnb not work out.

@Ray Harrell Because new construction only costs a little bit more than updates houses built more than 60 years ago unless I want to spend an extra 20 grand remodeling the house. And you can charge more per night for a new house than you can charge for a old house.

Ive been researching building an AirBnB rental. The town I planned to build in has very strict regulation on bed and breakfasts.

They must be owner occupied. They must be over 2000 sq ft. They must be in a region zoned for multiple occupancy. They must be on an arterial street...

There is also a 10% transient tax.

But I'm not sure AirBnB actually qualifies as a bed and breakfast. The code stated that a Bed and Breakfast provides "Table and Board" to short term guests. So as long as I don't serve meals I am not a Bed and breakfast. Am I correct in this assumption?

The county is much more clear. A bed and breakfast provides boarding for no more than 5 guests and serves a continental breakfast.

The county also has a lower transient 6% tax

I am planning on building a new home for this because currently new construction is being listed at the same price per. sq. ft in my market as 50 year old homes. In the city it will be cheaper to hook up utilities but the tax is higher and they may decide it is a Bed and Breakfast and shut me down. In the county the land will be more expensive unless I go so far out there are no utilities but the tax is cheaper and I am certain it is not a Bed and Breakfast.

Currently I am planning on building in the county in a region that already has utilities but if I can get a more clear legal definition of what is a Bed and Breakfast I might buy within the city limits.

What are your thoughts? 

The listing has been pulled and I got some valuable first hand information from my tenant about occupancy rates, who the tenants are and length of stay.

I was browsing airbnb to try and find our what I could charge for a new house. Imagine my surprise when I discover my house is listed.  I have sent her a communication through airbnb reminding her that subletting is a violation of the lease but for some reason I cant sign up for an airbnb account. After that I'm not sure what else I should do. She has been a model tenant other than this.

I'm considering starting a b&b. I remember hearing a horror story about someone who had a guest over stay their welcome and it became a nightmare for the owner to evict. I want to limit the number of days a guest can stay to prevent this. How long does someone have to stay in a house before it becomes their permanent residence in California?