Use tools like the VA loan for house hacking and your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to cover living costs while building equity.

Focus on key areas first (like floors, walls, kitchen, or bathroom), which may help you handle the costs more gradually, even if it means moving in furniture or updating fixtures down the line.Also, since the tenant left it in rough shape, be sure to document all the damage (photos, receipts) in case you decide to pursue reimbursement through their security deposit or in court.

The cost is the same for a roof on a house that rents for $800 per month is the same as on that rents for $1800. 

"the typical home warranty costs $450 annually, and only 25% of premiums are paid to homeowners.

Which means to me that Zillow is cracking down on people hunting for arbitrage on its platform.Consider that, and other potential barriers, when assessing your marketing tools.

It doesn’t cost you anything and gives the tenant time to rearrange their entire life around your decision. 

HelloOver saturated STR in Ohio markets have caused many STR to drastically lower costs to as low as  $100 for entire bedroom home.My are higher and I'm not competitive with the lower cost Abnbs.I also feel hotel industry are mass building new hotels to compete with str. 

Finally, short-term rentals can offer potential tax advantages, as many expenses associated with the property may be deductible.

The process from start to finish would take four months and cost ~200k to build, with comps in the area around 355k-lender man said, refinancing would take six months as most lenders wont refinance a property unless its been built for six months, affecting the strategy to get paid out from refinancing quicker and closing out on construction loan-The property would not appraise at comps value, but at the cost it took to build, affecting getting paid out from the refinance.

Have you started thinking about your strategy or exploring potential markets?