Hi Marc, thanks for the reply.

Any tips, warnings, or real-life lessons are welcome! 

Thanks for his response, super helpful! 

Problem with Zillow and FB is they have this annoying "1-click reply" where people can just click on your ad without reading it and you get an automated message "Joe is interested in your apartment at 123 Main St."

My father is a certified contractor in NJ—he’s built one home, flipped four, and consistently handles upgrades and maintenance for me and his other clients.I’d appreciate any tips or stories from those who’ve turned equity into a profitable venture.

Just a few tips to look into but it usually takes some time to gain steam on your first listing so be patient and keep analyzing the local compeition /your own listing. 

Fast forward to the end of the deal and we have been trying to get  payoff letter for weeks to no avail.

One golden rule I follow,if it takes a long time to fix/replace when it breaks, don't buy a cheap one.Imagine, this thing breaks in the middle of your peak season and the people who can come out to rebuild are 2 weeks out....It takes at least a day or two to build something like this even if you are super skilled.

—it’s also about reliability, attention to detail, and someone who just “gets” your space and your guests’ expectations.Do you have any hidden gems, local recommendations, or tips to share?

Thanks for taking time to reply.