We use it as our second home from May through September and then rent via AirBnB during the winter (for snowboarders/skiers).

In the winter months, it is often harder to rent a place, rather in the summer they go fast. 

As winter comes, they are grouping up inside looking for warmth.It is true that you cannot fully get rid of them.  

It would be a bit more convenient to be within driving distance to manage some of that.I don't handle the winters particularly well hereI was born and raised in Phoenix, so I'm a bit of a desert dweller in general (though this kind of plays into #2).All that said, I will likely heed your wisdom and end up starting operations here and deal with spreading out when that time comes.

I have heard of investors offering a reduced rate 15 month lease (half normal pricing for 3 months) just to get the house occupied through the winter and spring, then jumping the rent up to market rent during the last 12 months.  

You may find yourself having to find a new tenant in the middle of the winter (Michigan winters are worse than Ohio's brrr), because, remember, if they decide to leave - they too only have to give you 30 days notice. 

Hey @Dylan Brown, if you can live without the winter sports stuff then PCB seems like a perfect spot to get started.I have chatted with Avery Carl quite a bit and helped with the moderation of the STR Bootcamp (another one is coming up in Feb if you are interested!)

Had a good experience but didn’t stay in the market due to the long winters. 

Granted, you could keep the money, but that's not enough to offset the lost rent and utilities, and you have a house sitting vacant in winter that requires checking to ensure it doesn't freeze.

Last summer I made about $7100 in 6 months (I don't rent it in the winter).