Housing prices were going up, and the debt to buy those houses cost almost nothing.Today, housing prices are uncertain at best, and there's plenty of evidence they're falling, and debt is 2x+ what it cost a year ago.

Make sure to spend the time getting projections whether it’s for long term or short term, and then run the numbers for what you’ll be putting in as well as paying monthly to ensure you are buying a property that sets you up for the future, not drains your bank account every month.As far as short term rentals go most people get excited and forget or underestimate the furnishing and setup cost. A

Even the use of your own cash comes at a cost, as you are tying up capital that can't be used elsewhere.

Hey @Jeff Costa,Check out "AirDNA".

Hi Everyone,I will travel to Costa Rica this summer and have considered looking at an STR near Jaco Beach.

I host one in SF, and there's a few that are hosted downtown pretty regularly - just be careful of people trying to sell you solar panels or trying to get you to invest in land in Costa Rica and whatnot...The one that is hosted in Milpitas is supposed to be very high-quality but I haven't made it out there yet! 

why not.......charge the investor the build cost as time and material based contract or cost plus with a maximum price guarantee?

Alex this is impossible to answer, NOBODY can give you an answer if they do they are just making it up I just bought an 10k sft building ( 7 unit)  all in 200K,, That would cost a million or more to build, so.....Good luck 

Because there is going to be acreage and maybe well/ septic/ offbeat your hazard insurance is going to be much higher than .3% of sales price, use .7% for annual cost as a number and 1.25% for tax, 8 for interest as a wild guess... 

It cost a $50-75 but well worth the headache avoidance if I mess it up myself.That said, if you don't like the tenant you can offer a rent increase or other unfavorable terms and hope they don't renew.