Tuscaloosa is a great example—you can find affordable properties, but if zoning doesn’t allow STRs, your exit options are limited.

Minimum standards include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following items:The unit must be kept in condition such that one person is able to clean within four hours.

I cannot look for 250k and above properties because that would be my limit. 

.👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Eligible for both owner-occupants and non-occupant property owners within city limits.📏 ADU must be no more than 50% of the main home (capped at ~1,000 sq. ft. for detached units).💰 Affordability strings attached: must be rented to tenants at or below 80% AMI, with rent caps tied to FMR at 70% AMI.📉 Loan forgiveness at $10K per year of affordability (8 years total), or up to $15K/year if you house voucher holders or tenants referred by city housing partners.🔑 Only one ADU per lot allowed.Why it matters:Charlotte is under major housing pressure, and this is a way the city is incentivizing “gentle density” without rezoning entire neighborhoods.For investors, it creates a structured pathway to add a unit with city support — though the affordability requirements and rent caps may limit cash flow potential compared to market-rate rentals.On the flip side, the forgiveness structure (essentially free capital if you comply) could offset the reduced rental income.My take: This could work best for buy-and-hold investors who don’t mind playing in the affordable space and are looking for long-term, low-cost additions to their portfolio.

Here’s how I’d frame it with lenders and title to keep things smooth:What you’re trying to do (in lender-speak)Trustee of a revocable trust seeks financing on a rental held in the trust.Borrower vesting: the trust (with you signing as trustee).Use of funds: rehab/update; exit as stabilized DSCR.In-place/market DSCR appears ≥ 1.50x (strong).Best-fit loan structures (pick based on scope of work)Light-to-moderate updates (non-structural):Some DSCR lenders allow a small renovation/holdback escrow (often limited by % of as-is value and scope).Pros: simpler, cheaper, keeps you in perm debt.Watchouts: draw caps, no heavy/structural work, narrower lender pool for trusts.Heavier rehab or anything structural:Use an Investor Bridge/Reno loan (fix-and-rent style) to complete the work, then refi into a DSCR take-out at stabilization.Pros: purpose-built for rehab, draws are straightforward.Watchouts: two closings, interest carry during rehab.Key underwriting/closing items lenders & title will ask forTrust docs: Full trust agreement + all amendments, Certificate/Abstract of Trust, and Trustee Acceptance/Resolutions showing authority to encumber real property and borrow.POA package: Durable POA explicitly granting real estate/borrowing/mortgage authority, confirmation it survives incapacity, and any incapacity determination the POA requires (e.g., physician letter).

Smith, Grantor, hereby sales and warrants unto Tom, LLC, a Limited Liability Company created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of Washington, whose principal place of business is 123 Smith Street, and Mike LLC a Limited liability Company created and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the State of Washington, whose principal address is 456 Jones Street, Seattle Washington 12345, Grabtees, as Tenants in Common.

@JD Martin, I hear you, but the restrictions over here are really limited to Asheville, and really only to about 2/3 of Asheville, and then Woodfin on the northern border of Asheville, which is quite small.

Look at stale listings and price-reduced units.For current owners: trim expenses and keep units top-tier — travelers are getting picky again.For STR operators: underwrite conservatively (60–65 % annual occupancy) and keep a buffer for slower winter months.The fundamentals — beautiful beaches, limited land, and steady tourism — are still unbeatable.

We may further limit what is placed in outside areas.

The liability of lawsuits in a TIC makes every co owner responsible and can affect an owner not limited to that particular property.