I recommend finding an accountant who specializes in real estate taxation and tax planning.You may want to consider working with your accountant remotely to expand your options.I would also recommend looking for a accountant willing to work with you throughout the year.

Could you please expand on why it creates appraisal problems? 

Keep communication open and expand your search radius for additional opportunities.Good luck!

If you ever plan on doing this later in your days, you could always do a management company and just expand on that, but I can tell you from my own perspective  that LLC – S and being W2 employee under that may limit some of your lending aspects, but it protects you around the world anywhere you go further if it comes to it, you can bankrupt your company, sell the assets and open another company the same way and you’re still protected through and through. as my wife is a high earner, it really protects her from civil suits and other things like that or anybody that ever comes to maliciously take what is yours.

Hey William...can you expand on your #3? 

Hey BP community,I’m currently looking to expand my lead pipeline, and lately, it’s been pretty challenging to consistently find good deals.

The definition of qualified property under Section 179 was expanded in 2017 under TCJA to include the following real property improvements to nonresidential buildings: Roofing Fire protection and alarm systems Security systems HVAC systems So you can expense roofing under Section 179 as long as it is an improvement to a commercial property and meets the Section 179 criteria. 

If you're keen on Raleigh I would recommend expanding your search to some of the surrounding markets.

Are you looking to expand your portfolio in Columbus or elsewhere?

Doing just STRs would mean you need to expand your portfolio a little slower as getting that income to qualify is going to take just a bit longer.