--reach out and thank them upon getting the booking and ask if they have any questions--send a "Welcome" email or automated message during the week prior to arrival--reach out the day after arrival to ask how everything was the first night and ask if there is anything that the property needs--reach out at the end of the stay (that morning or within 24 hours) and ask how everything was, anything to improve, anything to add to the house and then offer an incentive for returning guests.My 2 cents,Mike Absolutely stay in your place as Mike said.You will see things the cleaners will never let you know about.We stayed in our PF will putting up the Christmas decorations and found a cracked plastic shelf in the fridge. 

@Mitch M.See prior discussionhttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1154727-foreclosed-house-with-solar-lease

In addition, you’ll be included in their newsletters for additional real estate investing resources.The best way to leverage RentRedi benefits is for rent collection:Tenant applications and screeningDocument and field maintenance requestsE-sign leases Tenant communicationRenter’s insuranceAnd for Stessa benefits: Property bookkeeping and accountingPortfolio monitoringProperty analytics to track historical performanceSchedule of Real Estate OwnedLandlord bankingTax prep support 

My strategy would then be to lease at least two of the renovated units, increasing occupancy to 90%, which could improve the chances of securing favorable terms for refinancing.I haven't pitched it to the seller yet.

My advice would be, if you truly want to learn the business, lease it up, refinance, pull some money out, and go on to the next one.

you've got closing costs, a down payment, rent-ready costs, a month's rent to lease it out... it takes years to recoup those costs. 

When you start, the company may give you a small existing portfolio, but then you'll have to maintain & grow it to make a decent living.You could also work as a leasing agent at an apartment complex.

It’s humbing and frustrating, but it also teaches you those guardrails you’ll want next time.. like thorough screening, a solid lease agreement that sets ground rules upfront, and maybe even setting aside a bit more cushion in reserves.Chicago’s got plenty of investor-friendly pockets.

Property TypeUnderstand the different types of multifamily properties:High-Rise: 9+ floors with an elevator, often urban.Mid-Rise: Smaller than high-rise, usually with elevators.Garden-Style: Low-rise apartments in suburban or rural settings.Walk-Up: 4–6 stories without elevators.Manufactured Housing Communities: Mobile home parks where land is leased to homeowners.Special-Purpose Housing:Student Housing: Designed for college students.Senior Housing: Dedicated to older adults.Subsidized Housing: Affordable housing supported by rent and income restrictions.3.

Common fees will include a set-up fee, a leasing fee for each turnover or a lease renewal fee, marking up maintenance, retaining late fees, and more.