So I totally agree cap ex and reserves for this asset class unless you live there and collect your rent basically personally so you can do inspections every month.. these conditions are pretty normal maybe not to that magnatude.. but you know blinds ruined.. carpet forget about it cigarette burns cabinets falling off the hinges.. have to repaint.. holes in walls.. rooms painted wild colors ..

For all you know he was a successful baker who lost his business when the government shut him down, and his vindictive wife ruined his credit via joint accounts. 

I don't want to ruin your hopes, but you may have little chance of ever getting your money back.

They'd walk away but don't want to ruin their credit so they've agreed to let me help them with a short sale AND purchase it myself if I'd like to.

Water was gone when we bought it but the basement was ruined.  

Worst case scenario I have enough equity that unless something devastating happened that ruined my personal credit, there is no reason I couldn't at least get equity lines if the banks no longer wanted to offer me commercial loans on these properties.

I obviously don't want to ruin such a valuable relationship Any advice/help would be GREATLY appreciated.

REFERENCES:Kate k******: 702-406-**** Kevin S****: 702-338-**** Howard B******: 401-226-**** Im seriously thinking about doing this but I am kind of skeptical about it because i have worked so hard to get my credit to where it is now and I would be pretty upset if doing this ruined it.

If your airbnb market is so fragile that one competitor ruins it for you, I suggest sell the place and move on. 

But I've seen cash tenants ruin a property just the same, so I think if you do adequate screening and let the tenants know your expectations with the property, it should be a good experience.