I often take massive road trips and will stay at a mix of STRs and hotels or quirky lodges depending on what looks fun or convenient. 

Heating costs go up in winter, as does electricity due to the reduced natural light and more people indoors.

But a surprising amount of “snowbirds” in our area during the winter months.

Probably 75% of that is earned during the winter months and 25% is during the summer months.

I remember times when people would leave food on our steps for us when we got home from church or times in the winter that someone was kind enough to make sure we had snow boots and warm jackets.

That first answer sounds crazy but it DOES happen all the time, fun part when someone replies all asking people to "remove them" from the list and/or "please stop replying all"!

Our thinking is, if we can put down lower and make the deal pencil at the higher rate, we can always refinance when rates drop, which we understand is expected in the fall/winter 2024.

. ;-)  Sorry to for my ignorance KenNah, That's not it at all, just having some fun.

A short term rental upstairs would be an amazing idea however the area in tahoe of which we are located is seasonal market as there arent too many things to here besides skiing and winter sports.

Some investors will combine STR with a winter long rental to make the #'s work.