I currently have a lawn care business that I run myself.   

Some design and amenity ideas:+ Welcoming living space with plush seating for family hangouts+ Coffee bar or stocked tea station for early mornings before campus events+ Dining table or breakfast nook perfect for family meals+ Dedicated workspace for parents who need to check in on workFor sports fans, tap into their game-day energy and make your STR the go-to spot for a fun, convenient stay:+ Big, comfortable seating & a great TV setup (think oversized couch, streaming sports channels)+ Game-day essentials like a mini fridge stocked with game-day snacks/drinks+ Outdoor space with a grill & seating for pre- or post-game gatherings+ Good parking (sports fans hate scrambling)+ Team spirit decor touches (subtle, not tacky—think framed sports prints, not full-on mascot murals)Your design & reviews will do most of the marketing but to market directly to these guests:🎯 List your STR on sites where parents and alumni book (if allowed)🎯 Partner with local businesses—coffee shops, sports bars, or tailgate services—where your ideal guests hang out🎯 Optimize your listing title and description with phrases like “Perfect for Visiting Parents & College Game Days”🎯 Time any discounts/promotions around major campus events—homecoming, graduation, big rivalry gamesThink of it this way, you’re not just offering a place to stay—you’re creating an experience they’ll want to book again and again.

These are leased to businesses (like chain stores) that cover taxes, insurance, and maintenance, making them much more hands-off than residential rentals.Real Estate Syndications / REITs – You can invest passively in commercial real estate (apartment complexes, self-storage, industrial, etc.) through syndications or real estate investment trusts (REITs) without being a landlord.Hard Money Lending / Private Lending – With $500K in equity, you could act as a private lender, funding real estate investors who flip homes or develop properties.

Another thing, the threads move down the forums rather quickly because it's so busy, so the odds of your post being seen for long by very many people is minimal. 

A 1031 exchange could be a potential tool, but there are some key hurdles to be aware of.1. 1031 Exchange RequirementsFor a property to qualify for a 1031 exchange, it must have been held for investment or business purposes—not as a primary residence.

Some investors also use a business line of credit backed by their cash flow, which can help with future deals.If you’re planning to scale, maybe start stacking that cash for the next property or even park some in T-bills for short-term returns.

We want to move projects forward just as badly as you do as it is the only way we make a profit in this business. 

I was conducting an extremely seasonal business and after 8 years of operation the business was insolvent. 

I use this property and another one as my business line of credit. 

My business partner is able to issue IUL.