A practical research directory. Start with the question you need to answer, then record what the source can—and cannot—establish.
City/county planning and licensing offices, municipal code and property documents.
Confirm the exact address, eligibility, stay-length rules and permit transferability. Ask for an official reference and record the date.
Comparable properties, booking statements and STR data providers.
Check the time period, seasonality, amenities and what is included in revenue. Estimates do not verify future bookings.
Current rental comparables and a supported local manager estimate.
Distinguish asking from achieved rents. HUD benchmarks offer regional context rather than a quote for your property.
County assessor/tax collector, rental-use insurer and written lender terms.
Ask about reassessment, special assessments, exclusions, deductibles, fees and permitted use. Record quote dates and conditions.
Independent inspection, contractor quotes and official hazard information.
Price major components individually. Flood maps do not establish all hazards or insurance coverage.
Written management proposal, utility history and maintenance/replacement plan.
Ask which revenue base fees use, what costs are extra and what remains your responsibility. Use separate STR and LTR budgets.
For every material input, record the source, date, scope and limitations. A quote, a model estimate and an unknown should look different.
Open your evidence checklistSources checked October 4, 2026. External services may have paid features. No affiliate compensation is used in this prototype.