Do your searches 1 month out, 2 mos out, 4 mos out, Etc...You'll quickly see how busy your area is, what amenities are popular, and moreover how much they are charging...... 

They also help with operations as you can run them with one bank account and one set of books (if you manage the books properly by designating funds to each property).

Full disclosure - that is not what we have used, but it seems to get the job done.We did take the time to consult a designer on furnishings and got professional pictures, which seems obvious until you look at your competition, and our unit has booked within a week of listing both times that it has been available.

@Michael D Valadez, Unfortunately as you found, the Chicago Zoning Designations are a little odd in that the "3" in the RS-3 Zoning does not at all mean that it allows for 3-Unit residences.

Adaptive reuse of other asset classes to traditional multi-family seems to becoming more popular in Jackson and the surrounding areas as well.

Atlanta was terrible, but pretty sure I paid $20/night in a shared room so can't say much....My STR in Nashville was furnished by a designer.

I am doing my research around popular tourist destination in CA (Yosemite, Lake Arrowhead, BigBear etc).

Dunwoody area is really popular.- #Greer area has a lot of potential, esp in the Riverside area.- #Taylors area is hit and miss.

You do not want to violate the Dodd-Frank or SAFE Acts that require this designation.

Just got a new designated business mobile the other day through Verizon and I am super excited to get started!