When I asked IGMS if VRBO can see the bookings made on the direct booking website, IGMS said VRBO should not.Is there a way to avoid this in the future?

When you find out the present zoning of the property, the future land use and the local agencies comprehensive plan for how they see the area being developed (all can be done at the local planning office) you will have a much better idea of what you have just bought.If the land could in any way be developed into something more than single family residential lots, i.e. if there is any multi-family or commercial component than I would advise you to hire someone qualified to help you with the site planning of the development.

I see the HUDS closing cost just to get the loans many times are 5 k to 15k so if those cost were brought down by say 70% and everything being equal that will allow these first time buyers or buyers for owner occ an easier time buying.  

I just dont see the point of going hard money when I can borrow from my HELOC.  

So if you look them up online you will see the owner is a Wyoming LLC, then you go try to look up the owner of the Wyoming LLC and you won't find it.

We always recommend flying out to see the area, properties, etc. when you can, but we've done quite a few virtual deals as well. 

If there are damages, chances are you will never see the money to fix them. 

Charging tenants an application fee before they see the unit is absurd, but are people actually doing this?

It can help to see the expenses that may come up in STRs.I would personally look into co-hosting over arbitrage if starting on a tight budget.

Quote from @Sean O'Keefe: Click the arrow in front of “Quote” and you’ll see the comment / post that was responded to.