I also would charge less if that's all that's going on, but there may be other factors at play which is causing the fee to increase as well, I'm also a single member firm owner in LCOL midwest, so that plays into things as well.

Heeeey BiggerPockets FamilyI am a verrrrrry new multi unit investor (experience in single family home investing and renting out to the Section 8 population) with the goal to buy/hold properties for cashflow.

Splitting a single parcel post construction may also prove a challenge depending on zoning. 

Using a product like Invelo or Propstream will be a game changer for your business.

If you are looking for a cheap and easy solution, there is a product called hardware cloth that you can use to cover the opening with.

It also can get challenging to set a price now to possibly buy in the future that the owner and you will feel is fair (with markets still appreciating at a healthy pace).You can also keep your eyes open for a seller willing and able to do a land contract with you (but there usually would want much more money down and likely want a full pay off in a few years, but can see what you can negotiate on terms).I agree nothing illegal about options/option fees in WI to my knowledge, but generally seem much less frequently used in single residential transactions than commercial transactions where due diligence and closing timelines may be very drawn out.

Single family home is what I have in mind for the next purchase.

Best for singles, but I know couples who do this successfully and enjoy meeting new STR guests.

I have a DSCR product that would not have a waiting period off the market but would have a PPP and would only go up to 75% loan to value.

Bottom line is there is no single standard method of determining square footage, so you’ll find that whenever several different people measure, you’ll get different measurements.