Tools like QuickBooks or even a simple spreadsheet can help you mentain compliance and prepare for audits.Reinvest WiselyScaling a short-term rental business often requires reinvestment in marketing, property upgrades, or even hiring help.

Amenities like washers, storage, and upgraded parking?

They buy properties, do not know the area put substandard upgrades in the property then sell them for market value or try to and the property sits for a long time.

Before committing to paying off the property, analyze whether there are ways to optimize revenue, such as better marketing, adjusting pricing, or upgrading the property to attract higher-end guests.Return on Capital: If you pay off the mortgage, the “return” is essentially the 7% interest you’re saving.

Keep in mind local zoning laws and market conditions in Portland versus Salem—Portland might offer higher rents but stricter regulations, while Salem could provide better cash flow opportunities.Your design approach has proven successful, so continue focusing on appealing upgrades like kitchens and bathrooms, but prioritize cost-effective and durable materials for rentals.

A good friend of mine recently managed to pick up a modest duplex outside Phoenix that looked risky at first glance.. low rents, older neighborhood.. but with a few smart upgrades, it became a steady earner in under a year.You mentioned your worries about remote investing and the challenges of managing properties from afar.

I just keep waiting for a UX/UI upgrade they say is coming. 

Sometimes they’ll let you add meters and mailboxes without rezoning, but that depends on local rules, so definitely ask.For the septic, upgrading is probably a must.

Like any city, there is dilapidated housing stock in rough areas that can cost more to upgrade than they are worth. 

I don't think anyone has ever said anything about sheets, towels, Keurigs, wifi speed, tv stations, pack-n-plays, the games in the game room, the upgraded appliances, etc.