Totally agree that it’s not always about the rate or ROI on paper—sometimes it’s about peace of mind, tax strategy, or just simplifying their life.

If reporting to credit bureaus or collections agencies, make sure the tenant was properly notified and that you’re following legal procedures to avoid liability.If you’re not already using a rent collection platform, integrating one like Avail, RentRedi, or ClearNow can simplify the process.

I'll jump in here with some actual usage data.I have 250 units on stayfi and have been running it for a couple of years now.I initially got it to simplify my wifi login process... 

Especially if you're not trying to swing hammers across state lines.A few tips from personal experience:Spend more time vetting your team than the property—great boots on the ground will make or break you.Start with one deal to test the market, then scale once you trust your PM and process.Consider a "hybrid" turnkey strategy—buy from providers who do the rehab and place tenants but allow you to build in equity through light value-add.As for the LLC question: owning through an entity can offer some liability protection and simplify tax/partner structure, but it also means higher closing costs, tougher financing (typically commercial loans), and sometimes insurance complications.

Here's a breakdown of how to think through each point, especially with an eye on scaling and simplifying as you relocate:1) Keep vs.

My experience shows whole-unit rentals to families or solo professionals cut vacancy rates and simplify management over room-by-room.For faster occupancy and stability, try my hybrid co-hosting model: we market listings to insurance and corporate housing partners for mid-term stays (months to a year), boosting rent from $2,300/month to $7,300/month.

If the software is not simplifying your life or making you more accurate, you shouldn't use it.Software does have extremely helpful features like online payments, marketing syndication (click a button and your property is advertised on multiple sites), electronic document review/signing, maintenance tracking, and owner reports.

Hello @Karina Busch,Last summer, when I launched my only STR, I did not effectively navigate the tax scenario, but after calling VRBO, OwnerRez, and MyLodgeTax, it eventually got sorted out.After securing my North Myrtle Beach license, I signed up for VRBO alone to simplify my learning curve.

You and your fiancé should read books, listen to podcasts, make educated choices, follow a budget (highly recommend Quicken Simplifi app!)

Do you think I should look at duplexes in particular for my first to simplify the process, or would it be smarter to look for multi-family homes with 3 or 4 units?