Took one booking, the tenants broke contract by bringing a pet (dog hair and a bone were left behind), and Landing was not exactly pleasant to deal with in recouping security for extra cleaning and damages (dog used the ceiling fan remote as a chew toy). 

I'm VERY new to all of this, I don't have much of an idea on what contracts to use, to use or not to use an agent in the process, typical deposit I should put down while finding a buyer, etc.

Question: If you were to purchase a STR to close in November and the seller negotiated that the buyer must honor existing rentals with the current rental company/property management until January of 2025…. 1- does this negate the short-term rental loophole for the 2024 if you aren’t managing it yourself for these months in 2024?

In fact, we just closed a new buyer on a beautiful turn of the century duplex in Duluth allowing him to househack the upper level. 

Most buyers I've worked with are happy to be within a half hour to the beaches, which these towns are.  

Those buyers ended up backing out during the due diligence period.

It’s more of a buyers market so I’m getting some great deals on pricing.

Additionally, the lender allows for 3% seller-paid buyer credits, which could save you even more money.

Example: We helped a buyer close a 'cash only' 7 plex with an unfinished unit that no lender would touch.

I'm a new investor in Elmira with a couple of properties and wondering how to find wholesalers or Cash buyers here.