Essentially ended up screwed out of a substantial chunk of retirement savings and left to find my own lender elsewhere to close the deal.

However, short term rentals are much less passive than long term rentals and are essentially a hospitality business, which is in and of itself required a whole additional layer of knowledge and expertise.With regard to your question about private lenders, it’s important to draw a distinction in terminology between “private” and “hard money.”

I think a property manager is essential.

But now the borrower is being made to pay back a supposed loan, which came from them, plus interest and principle.

You essentially end up paying over $300 per month if you attempt to start making calls from the dialer.

Understanding STR regulations in a market is an essential "must do" when it comes to evaluating a short term rental.

As for other amenities, some crowd-pleasers that won't break the bank are coffee maker + starter pack of pods, basic workout equipment (yoga mat, resistance bands), phone charging stations by the beds, and basic kitchen essentials like olive oil, salt/pepper, coffee filters, etc.

Higher property taxes can eat into your profits, so it's essential to factor this into your calculations.It's worth asking yourself if you'd want to live in the markets you're considering.

More possible is reducing immigration to a net zero or negative number over time, which would have essentially the same effect as mass deportation but over a longer, controlled timeline.

That being said, I'll still hold onto a property if it cash flows $0/mo because I'm still getting principle paydown, appreciation (market + rental), depreciation/tax benefits.