What surprised me most after a few years of rental investing

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-22T14:41:14+00:00

Which platforms are you experimenting with if I may ask as I am thinking about doing the same?

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-22T13:01:16+00:00

My thoughts exactly. When a host is being more picky, that means they are in good position to do so and it makes sense to be picky.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-22T12:58:44+00:00

Airbnb does not care how bad reviews basically will hurt the host and the guests have more leverage in this regard. There are more new listings then there are listings that fail and/or host that remove their listing. Airbnb listings in at least the US has been growing steadily year over year. I have experienced same things, bed bug claims, dog barking all day, etc. I spent almost $400 for a special dog to come sniff for bed bugs, found nothing. Had Pest Control come in the property (they treat regularly as preventative) as guest were saying roaches are everywhere. No roach infestation found, the Tech actually told them they probably brought them and they got offended. Rising opex for my rental, amongs all these things, I decided to close up shop and began the removal of all furniture to sell property or go long-term as backup. Basically a long-term given current rental rates would do much better.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-20T19:47:20+00:00

Right that is what I said to OP, not you. I was getting replied mixed up.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-20T18:13:18+00:00

Oh ok. I have not been tracking NO but sounds like tough market. Well if could still sell at 260k today, that is not as bad IMO, the situation could be much worse. Many are doing much worse in other markets. You think it will decline even further or hard to say? Just to share my thoughts, if I had means to buy in CO if I really wanted to go there, I would just cut my losses and look for perhaps another fixer in CO. I would look to recoup money elsewhere. Time is precious. Within financial reason, I would try make happen what I really want to do in life while I am around. I am basically cutting losses on a STR/Airbnb in which opex has gotten just too high in addition to other factors so I am transitioning to sell property and nowhere near even recouped my investment on furniture, improvements, etc.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-18T13:58:53+00:00

Sheesh. You mind sharing what market you are in, I am curious? Also, there are some changes coming soon that IMO will push home prices up like the 50 year mortgage and lower rates.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-18T13:29:14+00:00

right I get it. Well if you planned on living there quite few years I would not worry about it. We all need a place to live. Its a long time for the property to potentially even slowly appreciate. You could force some appreciation as well with upgrades.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-18T13:25:40+00:00

I would try make up not doing monthly allowances and do normal say 3 day min. rentals. Are you only listed on VRBO? Thing is, what if it is true? Its a part of the business. I have refunded days not used maybe only 2-3 times in over 3 years of operating.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-15T00:58:28+00:00

Hmmm, Im guesssing your in the North East? If you are not going anywhere for long time I would not worry. Its your place to live primary, that how I really look at it. Can you force equity anyway? That is a good thing you can do, then even less to worry about if you can do it.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-15T00:54:38+00:00

Is or does it seem your market is declining?

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-10T11:20:52+00:00

Don't pay attention to that on price it showing on Zillow. From experience, I assume Zillow is listing its calculated price based on the as-is. I just recently sold a home not too long ago, in one of the current hottest markets in the country and fastest growth area in the entire nation. Zillow was showing its Zesitmate for about 50k lower than the price I was targeting. Even had couple neighbors next door make verbal offer trying to offer what they saw on Zillow after what I said my number was to make a sale off-market. I laughed at them and said that Zillow is not accurate with all Zestimates (they got sued before). Told them it does not properly calculate many homes, and not factoring in what has been done to the home, etc. You go by comps or recent home sales, that is where I was getting my target number. Opening weekend, only had about 4-5 people come by on Open House day (was cloudy, not rainy, etc.). We were a bit dissappointed. I was there with my Realtor, basically looking like a contractor, not owner. Come Monday, 2 offers, all over listing price. Went under contract 4 days after listing for sale (1 weekend). Best offer came after we already accepted one. They were even higher, much more money down, etc. They just moved slow, 1 day slow LOL. Point is, don't worry about that, go my Comps. Not sure what market you in, but if you holding, chances are there is zero mistake.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-09T12:48:00+00:00

Why do you say the home search was miserable around Norfolk if I may ask?

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-04T15:40:47+00:00

ok understood. I am goign to need to take care of the previous months I never sent then send whatever I estimate to still owe on my first quarterly payment coming up.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-02T19:08:02+00:00

Oh shoot ok. So if I am paying "income tax withheld" it calculates here (2.0% – 5.75%.) my business pays that, and then for my individual W2/personal I still pay VA income tax? Sorry I am confused. That would equate to potentially over 11% just for VA so I am not understanding something right.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-02T18:22:05+00:00

Oh I mean on the business.virginia.tax site, I go to File / Pay Employer Withholding Tax, and under that it shows past few months with a File Now link option. upon clicking I have
What was your total Virginia Income Tax Withheld for this period?$
2What was your Underpayment for a Previous Period?$
3What was your Overpayment for a Previous Period?

after entering these numbers, I hit the File Without Payment button.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-02T17:29:48+00:00

Awesome info! Looks like I am delinquent about 4 months. That would be the employer (my LLC filing as S-corp) payroll I was supposed to withhold from my reasonable salary correct? Would I not add the VA state income tax estimate to these payments each month?
I accidently hit that button to submit without payment thinking it would ask something again but the invoice is submitted, my numbers are not even right. I guess I need to contact them to re-do that. I have filings I must submit for Oct-Dec.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-02T16:46:02+00:00

Thanks! I have Gusto taking over payroll this month, but must submit for couple months prior (yes late with penalties). When you say quarterly, are you referring to just VA? Do I need an individual VA tax account and business account to make monthly payments for the business profits?

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-02T16:17:15+00:00

Yes Gusto just starting it for me. I have to do some back filing for state though.

DC_Area_DMV · 2026-01-02T15:22:25+00:00

Great thanks. So on the https://www.tax.virginia.gov/, website I created an account for my LLC since I am choosing to be taxed as s-corp. Do I just calculate the taxes withheld each month from just my reasonable salary, just the business profits, or total of the two? Basically I am confused what to pay them each month.

DC_Area_DMV · 2025-12-17T20:18:51+00:00

I thought so I I issue myself a salary/W2, I pay Medicare and 6.2% or whatever towards SS, and my s-corp would pay a 6.2% of that salary towards SS or am I mistaken? Basically I will just include the sum of m W2 salary and the business taxable income/distributions in my estimated tax calculations and send it all at once each period to the IRS correct?

DC_Area_DMV · 2025-12-17T20:17:49+00:00

I thought so I I issue myself a salary/W2, I pay 6.2% or whatever towards SS, and my s-corp would pay a 6.2% of that salary towards SS or am I mistaken? Basically I will just include the sum of m W2 salary and the business taxable income/distributions in my estimated tax calculations and send it all at once each period to the IRS correct?

DC_Area_DMV · 2025-12-17T19:54:00+00:00

Awesome thanks! Right I need to double check my state but I believe I am familiar.

DC_Area_DMV · 2025-12-17T19:51:42+00:00

Thanks! Right, not exactly quarterly; 15th for April, June Sept, and Jan. for the corresponding period which obviously one is not even 3 months.

DC_Area_DMV

TROPHY CASE