@Melodee LucidoI saw you had mention in a post quite a few years back that John played a role in improving your business.

As in every case the area, cost, amenities play into scenario.Have never been above 30% in last 12 years, usually at 10%

@Tom Dieringer, I am a firm believer that STRs are more of a marketing play than anything else.  

If you were building it with cash and had $450K to play with, I would look at buying 1 or 2 more duplexes for $900K at 50% or 25% down and you are probably making more cashflow and you are building equity on multiple properties instead of just the 1.

By understanding what they want and need, you can come up with answers that work for everyone.When negotiating a real estate deal, each seller is different, and their professionalism, tastes, and goals all play a big part in how the deal turns out.After thinking about my trip, I've learned that the best way to negotiate is to know what questions to ask and then listen to the answers.

If you're serious about this, you should definitely consult an attorney.I am not one, but here are some things I've learned from playing around with these types of things:--Trusts are excellent vehicles for anonymity--You can hire a professional fiduciary (like an attorney) to act as trustee so the public contact is not easily affiliated with you. 

You made a generous offer, and it seems they are playing a game of racketeering. 

The agency of selection will dictate if commissions come into play or not. 

Then there was the peyote church leader who seemed really nice and cool at first but then started growing mushrooms and peyote in his closet, and when I went out of town he hosted all night bonfire peyote parties in the yard playing bongos all night, then stabbed another house mate who came home hammered drunk and asked the peyote church parishioners to be quiet at 4am or so and they both ended up in jail and I had to evict them both while they were in jail.

Don't focus on how you'll behave during an after-game press conference as a WNBA star when you haven't even played your first pickup game.Buy a property, learn how to manage it well, and see if this is the right investment vehicle for you.