All Forum Posts by: Ryan Chatman

@Aaron Kerzner FL is great for STRs. Is there a reason you'd be looking hundreds of miles away in the Poconos instead of closer to your current area? I do know that the barrier of entry may be lower in PA, however, that also comes with lower overall occupancy and revenues.

@Roland Nelet this is definitely a bit of a broad question because so many areas have tons of specifics- carpentry, plumbing, electrical, hvac, drywall, roofing,, etc. I was thinking about how I learned things- One thing that really helped was learning specific overall skills in each of the different areas. Fortunately I've been able to learn these over the course of my life, but for someone newer it will be a bit daunting at first but it's possible to learn.

Here are some suggested learning areas that will help you understand how a home is built from the ground up (in no particular order):

1. Foundations - building foundations, pouring concrete, etc

2. Carpentry - Framing (walls, joists, sills, doors, windows), subfloors

3. Finish carpentry - Baseboards, casing, trim

4. Insulation - fiberglass, spray foam, etc

5. Drywall - how to hang, mud & tape, finishing

6. Plumbing - sink installations & drain pipes, running PVC, copper pipe & soldering, learn about the main plumbing stack

7. Watch videos on bathrooms and showers being built. Learning how watertight spaces are created is a great knowledge base

8. Tiling - learning tiling can give you a good understanding for bathrooms & kitchens.

9. Kitchens - understanding how cabinets should be installed, and options for countertops

10. Electrical- running basic circuits, 3 way circuits, lighting fixtures (fans, recessed, etc), basics on breaker boxes

11. Roofing - understanding how roof systems for your area work/are put together, also gutter systems

12. HVAC - gain understanding of different types of systems out there and available

13. Exterior - plywood, sheathing, siding, brick, concrete blocks

And then as @Michael Volek mentioned, you have to understand how these things are done within the code depending on your state, county, or municipality. Sometimes they call this uniform construction code, or other terms, ICC, BOCA, and more. There is a national electrical code (NEC) in the US.

This should be a decent start for communication with contractors but I'm sure there are plenty of things I missed too. Just take the learning a step at a time and you'll continue to grow

@Jim K. Which 8 camera system for $400 do you recommend?

@Luke Carl lol

@Aaron Kerzner yes there are plenty of agents that can help you find these properties. I've commented on a few threads with some best practices on airbnb in the Poconos:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/topics/977087

https://www.biggerpockets.com/topics/912864

https://www.biggerpockets.com/topics/854243

https://www.biggerpockets.com/topics/971711

Where out of state are you located?

Maybe you can give us some insight on your budget and what you're expecting out of this investment?

I'm always open to any questions you might have.

Good luck!

@Tanner Morrill was wondering do a lot of these come pre-fabbed? Im always seeing people build them from scratch on tv

How do they connect to plumbing/electrical in a prefab situation? Or in the case of putting two on the other end of my property

@Marco Manomat these can happen at HOA level, Municipal level and or County.

@Scott Kunz him and his team are probably looking at financing with the 70k. Plus mentions their jobs should support additional funds needed outside of that.

@Brian T. Grooms good mention. This is always the first thing I suggest to investors in the Poconos area. And not just HOA but Municipal and County level restrictions too.

A good friend of mine is stuck in a situation with a toxic user. He allowed her to move into his house thinking their relationship would lead somewhere, however she was just a straight up leech stringing him along and didn't want to pursue anything with him. They grew up together and were close friends but she used that and her looks in getting him to take care of her. He let her stay there for a few years but now he wants her out.. Regardless of the relationship issues and him never listening to my advice, Here are the facts:

1. She lived in the property with his permission for about 3 years

2. She never paid rent or mortgage payments to him

3. He wants her out and has asked her to move, but she is broke with no job so of course she wants to stay put

4. She has threatened him in saying "you're gonna have to evict me, and I can stay as long as I want because of covid"

5. This is in the state of Georgia

I'm hoping some gurus can share advice on steps he can take to get her out with it being the least messy. My first word to him was get a lawyer, NOW, lol

@Marco Manomat here are a few other topics on Poconos short term rentals:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/topics/912864

https://www.biggerpockets.com/topics/854243

https://www.biggerpockets.com/topics/971711

Hope these threads help you in knowing what to look for in the Poconos!

Do your research, due diligence, and don't be thwarted by detractors!