Hi Natalie,Your plan for creating an accessible luxury STR in the White Mountains sounds fantastic.

Rethink it spend some time there get to know the city (dont ask a realtor) and then figure out what's best for you.

start off with picture of the wife and kiddos and the reason why.. tug at the heart strings as everyone wants to spend more time with the kiddos . then it just progress's from there its a well honed presentation. 

Realtor - the right realtor is worth their weight in gold, so don't discount their expertise...you'll find some awesome people to work with here on BP.Expensive - Appreciation or cashflow is your real question...what's your current job and plans for the future?

If they had $500 to invest, they’d spend it celebrating their first deal — not on a master class in estimating foundation and HVAC costs.Your idea is solid, but the better audience might be aspiring flippers who keep overpaying because they believe these junk estimates.

Spend some time online and learn the process.Get comfortable with these methods because it going to be at least another 5-7 years before a bank will give you a loan again. 

Regardless of your and my political bent, our government can make people feel nervous, and when people are nervous, they don’t spend as much on “want to” things such as a family vacation.

I wasn't too keen on spending $35K on a program that I can't even try out but to each its own. 

Quote from @Roy Langer: I would not spend the money on this for something you will be renting out..

Do not spend any more time trying to get an answer from them.