In my experience, a property with multiple cottages and outbuildings can provide all kinds of creative strategies...some folks try short-term rentals or even specialized retreats if local regulations allow.

I agree.. just look at any large mid west or rust belt metro.. there is a ton of houses avaliable the question though will folks buy in certain neighborhoods where inventory is readily avaliable you can buy existing in many of these markets for far less than new builds.. so to me its really a neighborhood issue  a school issue a crime issue etc etc..

If curious, here are the last two: Jan 2023: Multifamily Real Estate is At Risk of CrashingFeb 2024: Multifamily is at High Risk of Continuing It's Historic CrashI think that the title for my 2025 analysis (likely Jan/Feb publication will be something more like:Multifamily is Finally Going to Hit Rock Bottom in Q2/Q3 2025 - Get Ready to Buy a LOT of itAs usual, I like to publish my draft thoughts here to get input from key players in the space and these forums, especially folks like @Brian Burke, to see if I am missing any high level areas, before I get into the weeds and look at the data more deeply and regionally. 

I've worked with several folks in Missouri that have done similar deals with the STL and KC land banks. 

All that being said I don't know about if a salt hot tub is better per se, I know it's better for your skin and I'd say perhaps if you're in a very health conscious area like Joshua Tree, some folks might be attracted to the idea of a salt water hot tub.

Typically with houses of this age - you'll need structural folks to dig and install piers into the soil.

how will you do things differently than those folks did?

Pay others when they’ve provided value to you.7th - Prime is not smarter than your local folks who you can have real relationships with.

You could do your work for free and it would still be too much for them because you don't do things the way they believe is right.I recommend developing owner-screening criteria to make sure you bring on the right folks and the right properties. 

I let VRBO and AirBNB handle that.Bottom line is you are taking a risk every time you allow folks to use the house.