They sit empty because the costs to update them to code make a project unfeasible for private money. 

Research financing options like conventional loans, FHA loans, owner financing, or private lenders.Good luck!

They might not be able to finance the entire purchase amount like other investors using hard money or private money, but they have been doing it long enough to build up a bankroll that can pay for down payments and repairs.Final ThoughtsThe 70% rule is more of a guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule.

However, an option holder won’t be able to stop a private sale from occurring (unless they find out about it before hand and obtain an injunction); the option holder would most likely need to initiate legal action after the fact. 

 @Jackson Hanssen Private message sent. 

**Marketing Enhancements:** - **Highlighting Key Features**: Ensure that your listing photos and description emphasize all the positive aspects of the home (recent renovation, location in the Poconos, proximity to amenities).

Megan, Not sure if I can help you exactly, but a few items that might help: 1) As you are out having conversations with potential private money lenders, you can start the conversation about "Did you know you can use IRA, or old employer 401k funds to make private money loans, secured by real estate?"

If it doesn't come up, send me a private message.

I’m Gregory, a private money broker at Over the Net Capital.

I think novice operators are trying go too heavy on amenities to compete with the big boys/girls/people and they can't do it as well because they don't have the operational experience.Consistency is the key for new operators and that goes for quarterly photo updates, dynamic pricing, and communication.Too many people got into the space in the past three years who thought of STRs as passive income when that is just silly.