These types of unique attractions tend to hold up better even in a down economy with well-to-do travels coming from far away, even when local more budget conscious folks need to curb their spending.Short of that, like @Michael Baum mentioned, anything in a good market that can set you apart from the competition is always a plus (waterfront, beachfront, etc…) The competition can always keep pace with you by adding a game room, hot tub, etc… But they’re not making more waterfront.Good luck!

Passive losses can only offset passive income—they don’t reduce your W-2 income in most cases.So while your duplex rental may generate losses on paper, they won’t reduce the amount of tax withheld from your W-2 unless:You qualify as a real estate professional, orYou materially participate in a short-term rental under 7-day average stays, orYou have other passive income to offset.What to do instead:Don’t stop your W-2 withholding entirely unless you’ve worked with a CPA to confirm a significantly reduced tax liability.If your rental qualifies under STR or REPS, then yes—depreciation and losses can offset W-2 income, and you might reduce withholding.Otherwise, you can still update your W-4 to fine-tune your withholdings slightly if you tend to overpay and get large refunds, but be conservative.Run a midyear tax projection with a real estate CPA who understands REPS, STR, and passive loss rules.

@Janet Anthony generally investments considered "Risky" like stocks and Real estate, tend to be risky short run  but less risky long run.

Each appliance is about $650 on average here in atlanta. provide W/D hook ups but not the W/D themselves, people tend to abuse the heck out of these things and they are breaking all the time. 

Companies with the best prices tend to be the ones that represent larger property management firms.

I believe it tends to give me a slightly lower return, because the sponsor is going to be more careful, and if there is a severe downturn will prevent me from taking catastrophic losses.

People who know their market the best tend to get the best deals.

That can lead to either pricing hits or full ineligibility depending on the lender.It sounds like this is a cash-out refinance, which also tends to price higher than a rate-and-term.One missing detail: Is this a long-term rental or a short-term rental?

@Nicholas Minich:So many to list, but like Brian noted, it tends to be underestimating renovation costs and timelines and overestimating loan proceeds.I tend to disagree with Brian on hiring an appraiser on the front end, only because I have had appraisals swing WIDELY on the same property. 

That tends to move the process along much faster vs. broad marketing.If you can frame this as a “low friction” site where key hurdles have already been addressed, that will resonate with buyers who want to move quickly vs. stepping into an unknown.