Most of them saw price reductions and longer days on market this summer.

We are able to live in the top floor while we STR the basement during the summer months, and MTR during the offseason.

Summer is dry here and fires are a real concern so I say nope.We have a $500 security deposit and it is clear that I will keep it if you smoke anywhere on the property.

Pros: Diverse job market, low unemployment, great resilience during recessions, nice appreciation, 1% rule can be hit if you look hard enough, great economy, good schools, Midwest nice.Cons: Extreme weather at times (hot/humid summers, tornadoes/hail, brutal cold in Jan/Feb), high insurance premiums, property taxes also really high.

I do get you having some concern maybe going into winter in WI and wondering if tenant activity will be there to fill a vacancy (with lots of leases and moving around happening spring-summer).  

I am also open to a longer rental as long as I could use this place for 1-2 months as a second home (summer or winter break). 

We are able to live in the top floor while we STR the basement during the summer months, and MTR during the offseason.

Can I even break even if Summer rental season is a max of five months, and more likely three?  

This past summer was our first year, so to test the market we had a 3 day minimum, and we filled every weekend with 3-5 day stays easily but we had holes in the midweek.  

Hi.I'm still in my first year as a STR owner, and I'm going to start taking bookings for next spring/summer/fall for our lake house.