Pierce the veneer, water gets in and swells the wood and it starts falling apart.Glue down a vinyl runner under the sinks:https://www.homedepot.com/p/Black-Plastic-Floor-Runner-Prote...4) BlindsInstall the cheapet blinds you can to prevent tenants from nailing sheets & towels up, potentially ruining walls & window frames!

Look below this Window, and you will see a list of names of people that have posted in this thread.

If you can cash flow the higher interest for a short window, finishing the rehab on the second side and getting it leased at market rent is usually the cleanest path because a fully stabilized duplex with two paying units often appraises off income strength rather than just comps.

The tenant then systematically broke windows and reported the damage to Section 8.

Broken back and front doors, broken windows, broken mirrors.

But other than this three-year window, borrowing money to buy a vacation rental AND immediately posting a monthly profit have NEVER been a realistic expectation in the Smokies.  

Ask both for STR owner references and call them - specifically about turnover speed between guests. 3-4 hour windows can make or break your calendar.

Look for signs of neglect, such as overgrown lawns, peeling paint, or boarded-up windows. 

But it happens to us about twice a year.It’s been so bad once we had to post noticed and came back the following day to remove the front door just to fix a broken window they reported to the city while the tenants threatened to shoot us.

Also under sinks, and anywhere that is not well sealed and allows outside air, in through gaps or poor window/door seals.