Short Term Rent, Long Term Rent or Sell our 20 yr Home?

Short Term Rent, Long Term Rent or Sell our 20 yr Home?

Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, NE · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 40 votes

We refinanced our 20 yr home ($144K/20yr/2.75%) to pull out for down payment on 40 acres and a farm house ($58K on $290K purchase price) plus renovations. (We intend to subdivide the land for 10 additional acreages (3 acres per code), but that will be another post.) We are looking at selling our home with no capital gains ($30K after costs and loan pay off), short-term or long-term renting for a couple of years and either selling then (no capital gains) or long-term holding and continuing as a rental. Long-term rent would cover the new mortgage and a little more ($1,200 PITI). Short-term rental would need to cover additional items such as utilities, yard and snow, netflix/hulu, etc. Our upstairs has 3 beds 1.5 baths, kitchen, living room, large deck and yard, 2-3 off street parking spots. I believe the short term rental market for just our upstairs would be $120+/night. 20 nights a month would cover everything and leave a $600 cushion for Capex, maintenance, and cashflow. There are no other STR in our town that can handle more than 2 people (only double beds with a bath). We are willing to self manage either rental option. If we cashflow this property, we wouldn't need it for the other loan ($232K/20yr/4.15%), especially if we sell off some lots at market for $40K each. We are in a 3-5% annual property value growth area. What other factors would you consider?

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Omaha, NE · Member since 2020 · 612 posts · 666 votes
6y

This post is so dense, and you seem to have considered many, many angles. Perhaps it's time to go forward, and you just needed a fellow investor to affirm the work and thought you put in. Go for it, and good luck!

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  • Omaha, NE · Member since 2020 · 612 posts · 666 votes
    6y

    This post is so dense, and you seem to have considered many, many angles. Perhaps it's time to go forward, and you just needed a fellow investor to affirm the work and thought you put in. Go for it, and good luck!

  • Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, NE · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 40 votes
    6y

    Thank you Jody, I think you are probably right. I see my two options and "No" or "Next Step". It's time for the next step. 
    Omaha? Do you know of an REIA there?

  • Owen DashnerPro Member
    Lender · Omaha, NE · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    6y

    @Tim DeFor, go to FB and search for "Omaha REIA", and also "Omaha Real Estate Meetup". They are 2 really active groups that get together once a month for official meetups, plus lunches, happy hours, etc.

    DM me if you need anything.

    Good luck!

  • Member since 2018 · 12 posts · 10 votes
    6y

    Hi Tim, not sure if this is any help but I've recently started an Airbnb in Omaha and it's thriving financially! Surprising how many people are coming to NE for various travel. I'd think your Norfolk property would be popular with the increased capacity for family in town visiting, traveling through, moving there, etc. There are options to offer monthly and weekly discounts too within the platform for STR.

  • Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, NE · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 40 votes
    6y

    @Abby Braaten Thank you. We are cautiously optimistic. Your encouragement is helpful. If this goes well, we may add more.

  • Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, NE · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 40 votes
    6y

    @Owen Dashner thank you. Maybe we will even get an opportunity to connect at one of the meet ups.

  • Member since 2018 · 12 posts · 10 votes
    6y

    The good thing I've seen with short-term rentals is the ability to try it out for a bit and then have the option to go back to long term if the STR doesn't pan out. Yes, a person would be out the time it took to set up the house, opportunity cost and furnishings, but never know until you fully try. Best of luck whichever way you go!

  • Rental Property Investor · Norfolk, NE · Member since 2020 · 38 posts · 40 votes
    6y

    @Abby Braaten that’s very helpful. I think we may try it for a year and re-evaluate. We can always switch to LTR or sell then.

  • Rental Property Investor · Concord, GA · Member since 2015 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    6y

    If your estimate is that you would need 20 days per month occupancy to make the Airbnb do well, I'd avoid that. They're a lot of work and many moving parts. A long term rental or outright sale is the direction I'd be looking at if it were me...

  • Member since 2020 · 18 posts · 13 votes
    6y

    I think you have a pretty good grasp of things, but if there aren't many STR with your capacity you may be under cutting your own prices without knowing. Maybe look into finding a mentor on pricing strategies with STR. If you just moved out you have 3 years to play before you decide to sell to avoid the capital gains tax.

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