Leveraging equity to purchase a short-term rental (STR) in Tampa Bay can diversify your portfolio and potentially generate strong cash flow, but it also increases your financial risk.

It's crucial to evaluate how the deal performs with the new mortgage:Updated Financials After Refinancing: Market Value: $459,000 Mortgage Amount (80% LTV): $367,200 Equity: $91,800 Interest Rate: 5% (30-Year Amortization) Assuming after 12months the rate will drop to 5%Monthly Expenses: Mortgage Payment (5% Interest): $1,971 (Now you are paying interest and principals) Property Tax: $260 (assuming has been increased with a 4% from last year) Utilities: $361 Insurance: $104 (+4% Adjustment) Vacancy: $166 (now after 12 months we can assume we have some vacancy at 5% factor on annual rent) Repairs & Maintenance: $166 (now after 12 months we can assume we have repairs at 5% factor on annual rent) Total Monthly Expenses: $3,028Rent Income after 12 months assuming annual rent increase at 5% : $3,323Cash Flow: $295$ per month 😊Long-Term Gains: $5,418 Principal Paydown year 2 (this will increase each as you pay off your mortgage $36,720 Property Appreciation (assuming 8% per year) $3,540 Cash Flow (this will increase as rents rise)Total Annual Return on Investment: $45,678 with just $ $22,789 remaining in the deal.

I think it really depends on if you are able to increase that cap rate with value-adds post acquisition.

I am sure they know which carriers (though they may be non-standard and pricey) are still offering coverage there.

Costs can be on the lower end if you use more standardized templates, while custom documents tailored to specific deals tend to fall on the higher end.Location can also play a role, with attorneys in larger cities often charging more.

If you are working with a reputable company, then you buy the property, hold the property and look up 7-10 years down the road and have a home that has increased in value and a debt that has been reduced by your renter.   

The use of online classes has been increasing every year and are projected to continue to increase.

There are sophisticated syndication investors contributing on BP, who have set up professional standards of due diligence and investment criteria.  

The agent said this is likely a market standard.

This is not standard.