New Screening Rules for 2026: Staying on the Right Side of the LawIf you're a "mom & pop" landlord, you know that finding a great tenant is everything.

Hello,I was wondering if there is any workaround for the 90-day flipping rule.

That’s certainly what pushed me to look elsewhere.That said, I’ve always found “best markets” discussions a little unsatisfying.Rules of thumb like the 1% rule are great, but they tend to focus on a single dimension.

@Allende Hernandez When people talk about rules of thumb for new construction, they’re usually trying to protect themselves from the same thing: the number of ways a build can go wrong between the day you start and the day you sell. 

A lot of investors don’t realize this about short-term rentals:Your personal use can make or break your deductions.Here’s the big rule to know:If you use your STR personally for more than 14 days or more than 10% of the days it’s rented, the IRS may treat it as a mixed-use property.And once it’s mixed-use, your losses and deductions can become limited — or in some cases not deductible the way you expected.This is where STR tax plans quietly fall apart.Not because the investor did anything “wrong”… but because they didn’t track the days.The key is simple:- Track rental days- Track personal use days- Know where you stand before year-endIt’s not just about income and expenses — it’s about usage.STR owners — do you track your personal vs rental days consistently, or do you estimate it later at tax time?

What are the rules in Chicago?

Carrier rules vary quite a bit on this.

The 1% rule is dead in most markets, and Birmingham is no exception.

Since rules vary by state, checking with your state real estate commission or a local attorney is the safest move. 

I would advise against mixing populations ( long term low income + Air BNB); expectations and life style are just not the same. 16 rooms is too much for Air BNB in my opinion and hot take; not as glorious as many have made it seem over the years.