So I have to message them and tell them to cancel because a host gets penalized for cancelling.......and they are understandably irritated. 

TD Bank will also make these loans on investment properties.A regular refinance would be the best option for most people, a DSCR (commercial type of mortgage) is great for those who hold in an entity such as an LLC.  

Since you are fixing it and updating it, you are able to charge more then what you would have if you didn't fix it up.Also there are a lot of more benefits when you live in the property, than if you didn't, and especially because you are going to be in Portland, you have more leverage on certain things then the regular investor who doesn't live in the property. 

She's the host of the Real Estate Rookie podcast.

Hi, Fellow STR investors I occasionally see some hosts to increase nightly rates to a ridiculous number ($1500/night vs. $150/night average nightly rates in the area), and I assume that they are trying to block certain dates on the calendar.

Bonus if it's a duplex or triplex, but you can do this with a regular old house.

They aren’t exact though and doesn’t come close to getting first hand knowledge from other STR hosts in the market that you are looking at. 

Dean,I have lenders that I deal with on a regular basis that may be able to help. 

Get multiple quotes from 3-4 carriers on top of your regular carrier.I have found insurance companies are the least likely to have flexibility in pricing compared to other services you buy.

@Stanley RussellEarlier this month, I went to a real estate meetup and the host (who has been flipping houses for 20 years) offered the crowd that if they find a deal, then his company will split the profit 50%.