I’d love to hear more about how you approach finding these under-$2M properties and what strategies you’re implementing for operations optimization.

Even really skilled operators are left with no back up plan because they can't pivot to LTR in that market, can´t fetch the price they paid because the STR has lost some steam and was bought using nightly rate numbers etc.

If you kept the property, and accumulated the CF/yr, it would take you 25 years to get that same equity that's sitting, frozen in your property.Also, if you cashed out and used that same equity as a DP on different RE, at 20% DP, that equity would buy you $2M in PV, not just $700k,...and, I'd be willing to bet, you could find new RE that would have a yearly CF well over $20k/year.On top of that (remembering my initial statement above), any appreciation applied would be applied to $2M, not just $700k. 

We have talked about things such as rent by the room and acknowledge that the operating model will likely be very different while living in the property vs. when we move out.I think the point you made about assumable loans is very helpful to get into a property you might not otherwise be able to afford.

Hopefully those that stayed on the sideline until the 'time is right' will start underwriting specific deals and recognizing path of progress opportunities that offer multiple operational and exit strategies.  

You'll have to operate at peak efficiency to make good money, which means more time, stress, and headache. 

@Andy S. what capacity are you operating in?

@Patrick Pan, if I was operating in a state where that was a concern I would just contact their current landlord for a reference.

Relatively low cost means you aren’t betting the farm—really just your down payment.

. ==== Projected Income ====**Off Season**-$4,000/Month Rent Period: September - May (7 Months) Projected Income: $28,000**Summer 1**-$8,000/Week Rent Period: June (4 Weeks)Projected Income: $32,000**Summer 2**-$8,500/WeekRent Period: July-September (12 Weeks) Projected Income: $102,000**Optional** (Basement Apartment)-$2,000/Month -Rent Period: Year Round Projected Income: $24,000TOTAL PROJECTED INCOME: $186,000 ==== Operating Cost ====-Mortgage: $84,000 ($7,000/Month) -Utilities: $36,200Gas $6,000 ($500/Month) Electricity $6,000 ($500/Month) Internet $2,400 ($200/Month) Garbage $5,000 (Estimate) Pool $4,000 ($250/Week)Landscaping: $4,000 -Mowing: $2,400 ($150/Week)  -Clean Ups: $1,600 (Spring & Fall)-Weekly Turnovers: $8,800 ($550/Week)==== Legal Cost ====Summer Rental Fee: $20,100 (15% of $134K)Sandwich Rental Tax: $6,855 (15% of $45,700) NET PROFFIT: $38,845.00