"My kid went to U of A, so I bought a rental. Now I'm left with 7,000 sq ft of dirt and a cactus."

Sound familiar? Many investors have rentals near universities but face underutilized backyards.

In this episode of STR Law, Katie Johnson chats with Brad Jones from Tiny Homes of Tucson. After 30 years in tech sales, he transitioned to ADU (accessory dwelling units) construction two years ago and has completed 65 projects, including a 25-unit casita addition for a wellness center, after his franchise failed shortly after launch.

They discuss how ADUs can transform properties, often allowing owners to double or triple their rental income without needing more land.

Key topics include:

• Cost: Building ADUs costs $175-$180K vs. $330K for new builds

• Arizona's Middle Housing Initiative quickly changes zoning rules

• HOA CC&Rs vs state laws: tips on navigating them

• Setbacks and variance requests (DDOs/MSRs)

• Tips for negotiating with planning departments

• Using ChatGPT to check your zip code

Whether you're in Arizona or assessing property nationwide, this conversation highlights an overlooked opportunity for many hosts.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

Is your short-term rental actually covered or are you one claim away from discovering a costly gap in your insurance?

In this episode, Katie Johnson sits down with Darren Pettyjohn, co-founder of Proper Insurance and Wister Insurance, to discuss the insurance risks facing short-term rental owners, property managers, and co-hosts.

They break down why traditional homeowner and landlord policies may not provide enough protection for an STR business, along with common exclusions involving pets, guest damage, amenities, off-property accidents, and commercial activity.

Darren also shares real-world examples involving slip-and-fall accidents, water damage, permit failures, drowning claims, negligent contractors, and property management errors.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com

In this episode of the STR Law Podcast, Katie Johnson is joined by tax attorney Anthony Brister to discuss short-term rental tax strategy, asset protection, LLCs, insurance, and entity structuring.

Anthony explains why STR owners should think beyond tax savings and make sure their properties are properly protected through the right insurance, business structure, corporate formalities, and long-term planning.

Shop STR legal templates: strlaw.com