Claim RE Professional status with W2 from full time job

[Mengqi Jia]

My partner and I working full time with W2s and our income is above the $150k limit. AFAIK We can not use the rental loss to offset our W2 incomes without RE professional status.

I understand it is usually tricky to claim RE professional status with full time job and W2. However, this year, I will have about half year on leave (maternity and parental leave). Can I claim RE professional status by leveraging my leaves to conduct RE activities? 

Thanks in advance for any response and help!