I never got the consultation, but was politely told my portfolio is probably too small to pay their annual fees (starts at $2500 and goes up).

It might be a hidden leak or even a running toilet causing the spike.

HOA fees, in particular, seem to be the biggest hurdle.

Or just pay your sister a finders fee for getting the deal?

Great hosts will be good neighbors, will contribute to local tourism and will pay their taxes and permit fees* A major area to improve on the proposal is the 1 hour time-limit for resolving complaints.

I guess a flat seasonal fee like any insurance policy, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

✅ Typical origination fees?

Steps to takeReview the contract: Understand the terms of the agreement, including the notice period and any termination fees.

Trying to hypothesize if I had a hidden agenda clearly shows you know nothing about me...which @Jay Hinrichs, you should know at this point as you have commented on my previous posts over the years. 

Set the second thermostat to whatever you consider the minimum temp to be - I would use 55º - and electrically parallel the existing and the hidden thermostat.