I have been for several years looking at real estate as a way to generate passive free cash flow and hopefully find a process where I can pour my bonus money each year into new deals.

In fact it's a bonus for the landlord.

Bonus: my sister is house hacking a triplex near Lake of the Isles, and I can start with neighborhoods where I already have basic local knowledge. 

I would consider lowering the price or offering some bonuses like 50% off the second month's rent to make your property stand out from the crowd.

You don't need to use it all but the maximum amount available is a bonus.

@Kevin Wareham  To add to what @Chris Mason said, you could also look into section 179 and bonus depreciation where you depreciate the entire cost of something in one year, instead of spreading it out over several years. 

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Since 3 bed/2baths are the most desirable among buyers, I have hired a contractor to turn the bonus space on the bottom level of my home to a 3rd bedroom (an option offered by the builder, but I didn't need it at the time).

If they pay, that's bonus money.Learn to screen your tenants better.

The % is  a bonus for you.