Due diligence before you buy a US short-term rental: the two-week file

Days three to seven: the money side

• Lender. Tell the lender in writing that the property will be used for short-term rental. Occupancy type and rental-use conditions are underwriting facts; discovering at underwriting that a product does not allow transient rental costs a rate lock.

Four reasons we tell owners to walk

• No insurer willing to quote paying-guest cover at a price the property can carry.

None of those is bad luck; all four are discoverable in the first week. If you are under contract and want the file built properly, send us the address, the contract dates and the association documents. We study every request and tell you honestly whether and how we can help — including when the honest answer is to keep your deposit and move on.