Since I'm an agent I do have access to non-owner occupied properties so my challenge lies in determining cost-effective marketing strategies. 

You really need to put in the time to solve this problem effectively.

(vii) would seem to indicate that you'd be acting as an unlicensed broker.(1) "Broker":(A) means a person who, in exchange for a commission or other valuable consideration or with the expectation of receiving a commission or other valuable consideration, performs for another person one of the following acts:(i) sells, exchanges, purchases, or leases real estate;(ii) offers to sell, exchange, purchase, or lease real estate;(iii) negotiates or attempts to negotiate the listing, sale, exchange, purchase, or lease of real estate;(iv) lists or offers, attempts, or agrees to list real estate for sale, lease, or exchange;(v) auctions or offers, attempts, or agrees to auction real estate;(vi) deals in options on real estate, including a lease to purchase or buying, selling, or offering to buy or sell options on real estate;(vii) aids or offers or attempts to aid in locating or obtaining real estate for purchase or lease;(viii) procures or assists in procuring a prospect to effect the sale, exchange, or lease of real estate;(ix) procures or assists in procuring property to effect the sale, exchange, or lease of real estate;(x) controls the acceptance or deposit of rent from a resident of a single-family residential real property unit;(xi) provides a written analysis, opinion, or conclusion relating to the estimated price of real property if the analysis, opinion, or conclusion:(a) is not referred to as an appraisal;(b) is provided in the ordinary course of the person's business; and(c) is related to the actual or potential management, acquisition, disposition, or encumbrance of an interest in real property; or(xii) advises or offers advice to an owner of real estate concerning the negotiation or completion of a short sale; and

@Tom SaharThere are always deals to be found, but the effectiveness of your marketing techniques determines your success rate.

OR, get smart, focus on what IS effective, and try to get with a GC who has some of the best direct supply account's and pricing, and negotiate to get the best discount from them they can lend.

My first thought was an extensive TI package that was effectively financed into the rent.   

Connecting with contractors, property managers, and other investors has been invaluable in helping me learn from their experiences and navigate challenges more effectively.

Until you exercise that option, you are essentially just a renter.

The key is to be detailed and consistent in your logging.For our clients, we provide a custom spreadsheet to help track activities more effectively.

The number one benefit for a high income earner that invests in long-term investments is that the depreciation will shield your rental income from your effective tax rate.if you are a high income earner, you are likely around the 35% federal tax bracket and another 5-10% tax bracket if you are in a state with a taxInterest income will be taxed at potentially 45% + 3.8% net investment income taxDividend income will be taxed at potentially 30% + 3.8% net investment income taxRental income potentially at 0%I think a lot of people get disappointed that their tax burden doesn't decrease.It can potentially decrease but it will require proper planning along with some level of participation with the real estate.