I am okay with the 5/30 amort, because worst case scenario, if I don't see rates drop, I can just sell or refinance. 

We host a monthly REI Meetup in Woodland Hills and there are many folks in our group grappling with similar scenarios.

My goal is simple: once we secure a deal, I buy directly from the seller with cash, and you earn a fee.Are these kinds of arrangements common?

Otherwise you will dream up the worst scenarios.  

One of the most common house hacking strategies in the Denver metro area is the Airbnb House Hack.

It sounds like you’ve navigated a lot of different scenarios and made strategic decisions based on the circumstances.

And from the other cabin owners we've talked to, it is a common problem down there to find a good contractor/handyman.

Hi All and thanks in advance for any feedback / guidance, I am new to the US market and thought home inspections were common place when buying so any feedback is appreciated.  

The key factor is ensuring the property qualifies for favorable tax treatment by adhering to IRS rules regarding short-term rentals and material participation.For the 7-day rule, the IRS requires that:The average guest stay must be seven days or less for the property to qualify as a short-term rental.If the average stay is 30 days or less, you must provide substantial services similar to what hotels offer, such as daily cleaning or concierge services.Regarding material participation, to further classify the income as non-passive, you must meet one of the following criteria:You spend more than 500 hours actively managing the rental in a year.You manage the business yourself and spend at least 100 hours, with your involvement exceeding that of any other person involved in the rental.Please note there are actually 7 ways to qualify, the above two are the most common.

For investment property, I would say commonly you are going to have 80% to 75% LTV.