You are competing against other owners who have a much lower basis and/or debt cost to cover. 

"Subject" to other factors that is where you wantto either buy or build first.

When you have all the properties identical to each other, how do you compete?

On the other hand, don't assume they were screwing you.

Hey @Eric DeNardo If you don't get a quick enough response from others on this forum, I might reach out to Shannon Weinstein via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonweinstein/.

I tried to go to the website referenced, but it gave me a 404 error.

Or is it other factors? 

However, the tax treatment differs between short-term and long-term rentals:Short-Term Rentals (STRs): If you materially participate (work 100+ hours and more than anyone else on the property), you may be able to offset rental deductions against W-2 or other active income, offering greater tax benefits.Long-Term Rentals (LTRs): If your AGI exceeds $100K, your rental losses may be limited, unless you qualify as a Real Estate Professional (REPS).If you plan to expand your rental portfolio, consider an LLC later for liability protection and easier management.

Using a HELOC to fund your first rental can be a great strategy, especially if you want to preserve your cash for other expenses or unexpected costs.

They can be problematic for guests to use, rely on connections with other devices that can fail, and are often easier to hack than a key lock.