Hi @Nicholas L. and @Chris Seveney a few weeks after my post, they did a part 2 for the survey and 2 days ago, the Zoning Dept. emailed out an update for the proposed policies.Here's their message:"We want to keep you informed and share a preview of the proposed Short-Term Residential Rental Ordinance regulations and express our gratitude for your invaluable feedback and participation in Phase I and Phase II of the Alexandria Short-Term Residential Rental Study.

Two of them decided to move out in December without informing me.

I have received quotes/feedback from three contractors here I can share some information with you. 

@Ashish Gambhir, Congrats for getting onto the BP platform for information. 

If you’re referring to the “newbies” with $10k to their name that watch a video by Pace and get excited and pay for joining, go out with their last $5k and do a sub to with a “desperate” homeowner without revealing all the possible consequences (because they are unaware of the consequences through lack of experience and lack of knowledge and or choose not to inform the seller) then I agree, it’s probably going to turn out badly for all concerned.If on the other hand you’re referring to a seasoned investor with excellent credit, significant cash reserves, who wants to add a property to their portfolio without going through loan qualifying, and can pay enough to give the seller “walking away” money because of the low existing interest rates and or, and is dealing with a informed seller, then I find nothing wrong or negative about the transaction.  

@Mark Cruse thanks mark - that's the vibe I was getting as well, super negative and not informative (from one person) This was a success story just on raw numbers - there are obviously more expenses, but some took it and seemed to take it at face value which did leave me to get defensive which I shouldn't have. side note - knowing how to communicate and navigate this community seems to be the key.

If anyone who is knowledgeable, please chime in so I can relay such information to my friend so they can have proper step to follow.

Apply for a dimensional variance on the vacant lot to allow a smaller lot and/or setback so it can be built upon.Your best first steps are to sketch a plan, possibly with an engineer's help, then contact the zoning department to discuss your idea with them to get informal feedback on your liklihood of success before you spend a lot of money.

The information contained in this post is not to be relied upon.

The information contained in this post is not to be relied upon.