You must work at least 750 hours per year in a qualified RE business.So most people who have high-earning W-2 jobs outside of real estate won't qualify.But the unique thing about RE pro status is that even if you don’t qualify but your spouse does, you can both file jointly and claim the losses from your RE investments to offset your other active income together.It's an incredibly powerful benefit if you do meet the criteria.

I have over 30 years experience in operating office buildings in NJ and would be will to run the operating arm of these investments for a % of the deals.

I would suggest getting another full-time job for the time being and investing/doing STR on the side until you can fully and comfortably replace the income that you would be receiving from your job.Is your LTR in need of repair?

Just use google maps and you can do a good job counting the number and size of units.  

We have substantial job opportunities here. 

Would love to hear form some Multi-Family owners/operators in these markets about pros/cons and specifically neighborhoods to avoid.My wife and I have been to Columbia SC many times and, while we have never been to Little Rock Arkansas, we plan on going in Late March! 

Or become an operator like ODC and make money raising capital for your deals ..

., AirBnB) as it will expose your property to bad actors.Law enforcement and the legal system seem to operate quite slowly out there.

The Contractor is wrongly blamed for job over-runs when it is usually the clients fault.

Most people don't know how to use a wood burning fireplace correctly - operating the damper, not closing the damper until the fire is completely out, going to sleep with the fire or coals still burning.