I think the dead giveaway is the rate and points. 5% is too low for anyone to lend now.

Has given unrealistic low comps.

I could see fully comping 1-2 nights at low season rates, particularly if one doesn't have a lot of reviews yet, but would you, as an established host with tons of reviews, comp a full week or more of a prime season stay? 

While the property hasn’t appreciated much since purchase, we’re considering keeping it as a rental due to the low rate.

Forewarning: This is going to be long and detailed.How this started:When we were young, we would buy a house that was livable, but in need of rehabbing, move into it (which allowed us to get a low interest residential mortgage), then rehab it, using contractors for what we couldn’t do ourselves.

I know Virginia Beach is attractive but that average price for Alexandria strikes me as rather low.

In any case, I doubt many people on BP would want to buy properties in Switzerland given the very low returns that can be achieved there.

A few showings, one low ball...but this time of year in that area, things just slow down. 

In terms of feedback from our team, we’re leaning towards buttoning down the hatches, keeping rent increases low, and focusing on maximizing occupancy in our New England markets.

Or in low volume areas, a public/private partnership with existing child care centers.