The only people who succeed at birddogging are the ones who learn everything they can and know it's going to be a low-paid slog so they do the work hard and one day it changes because you have earned more.

Even if you had to exceed that, as single you could convert an additional $485,050 above the $63,350 (or $503,350 if married) and you’d only be taxed at the 15% LTCG tax rate (not counting any state if applicable).Each year I’d get my taxable income as low as possible to give myself as much ‘room’ as possible in the 0% tax bracket and convert the max amount possible.

However, my patience is running low.

The net result is basically the same, but it keeps the two properties separate from a lenders perspective.Any low down payment money, particularly on an investment property, is going to come from a private money lender.  

And Sec8 sounds great, but comes with it's own issues.Add it all up you get a low dollar, but high headache strategy, which is a challenge that gets amplified, especially when you are operating remote.

There are a ton of scammers, liars, and low-quality humans in the group.

I would look at people that are handyman over anything else, contractors will be used to getting more money and the amount you would pay them would either be too low, or the they would not conform to your work/company.

For example, I have two STR high-income earners (making 140k & 150k) in Joshua Tree for sale with low expenses, where the sellers will stay on to manage it.Making sure you are keeping as much as possible from the tax man is a huge component and to do so you usually have to invest it.

Look for properties with low taxes, separate utilities, strong demand, and potential for rent increases.

But we moved out the low rent tenants and after the rehab we filled all units with market rent tenants.