I wasn't going to respond since the more people who use the product, the more competition I have.

I'd go on ABnB and see what your competition is doing that you can copy.Maybe a Firepit out front (as long as it's not a fire hazard), maybe a cornhole set?

But 3 years ago try to raise money and give returns on paying 100% cash, investors would not do it because the IRR s were not competitive to the max debt operators but we see the outcome..

Assuming the Oakland rental market continues to remain stagnant/competitive with newer buildings going up, is property appreciation the only way to increasing wealth with my building?

The Shadow Ln property presented a high-demand location and a competitive purchase price.

There’s a lot of new development going on in Huntsville proper, but properties in nearby suburbs like Athens, Decatur, or Meridianville are both more affordable at present and less prone to competition from new construction.$150,000 can buy you a tenant-ready 3 bed, 2 bath single-family home in a B-grade neighborhood.

Setting higher rates than the comps can definitely help attract guests who value quality, but it’s important to stay competitive within your market.

With fees doubling and competition heating up, you might want to rethink this investment.

So, scope out the competition on #1 & #2 above to understand what the rental or sale market expects.- You will lose money if you go overboard!

It's usually better to earn $200 less a month for one year than to sit vacant for two months, particularly in the winter.Consider a bigger drop for a 6-month lease to get through winter, then increase rent or find a new renter in the spring when competition is hotter.