Along with my 2 business partners I buy & build small micro-resorts and unique vacation rentals across the Appalachian region.

Have you noticed how Mercedes Benz, traditionally a strong player in dealership franchises, is now moving towards direct online sales, the Tesla sales model.From what I understand, the reason behind this move is pretty clear.

I've been turned down elsewhere prior so I took a chance with them as a last resort.

No matter what market you select, you need to spend a lot of time there getting to know the market and the “players” in that market.Which of these markets can you get to easily and often?

If you took the top 3 players to lunch or dinner quarterly, you'd spend a lot less yet gain a lot of knowledge.

STR in those areas do well year round because of fall colors and ski resorts and snow mobiling if they are on a lake, but on the flip side you are paying significant more because they serve dual purpose.  

We had a list of preferred real estate agents we listed our stuff with to get fair market (maximum) sales price.If we wanted to dump a property below market value, we knew who the players were and would contact them discreetly - we didn't want any negative publicity.Unless you find a desperate, failing lender, don't see you having much success.

Hey @Atlas Blake, so the catamaran idea seems kinda separate deal to owning a STR.Is the plan to maybe buy or build up a small resort type place and do the catamaran thing as part of the stay?

Obviously the closer you get the to coast lines and to resort areas the higher the price points get.If I had 80k and I was digging into my HELOC to get it, the most capital I'd want to tie up in one deal, the first deal is 30k - 40k max. 

Keep in mind this guy was a bigger player so he had Lots of deals out with this lender and now peer st.