That way, investors can manage their properties in a real estate-specific system while keeping their accounting streamlined in QBO.

I can leverage my WLI cash value to purchase it outside the banking system.  

✅ Yes, IF:You have a system in place for cleaning and chemical balancing.You have a reliable team that can check thisYou market it properly (highlight it in photos and listing descriptions).🚫 Not Worth It IF:You don’t have a dedicated team or someone to balance for every turn.Your climate or guest demographic wouldn’t use it often enough to justify the cost.Make sure to have waivers, I ran into issues with people saying they got bacteria from it etc.

I used Hostify and you can work it into the management system to figure and charge all of that for you.  

Building a portfolio allows you to gain experience, develop systems, develop your own approach to managing properties etc.

A great place to start is https://www.biggerpockets.com/meet which you can use to find like-minded people in your area and every other market across the nation that you may consider.You'll find some helpful tips at https://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere.For tips on how to get the most out of BiggerPockets, check out: https://www.biggerpockets.com/rei/biggerpockets-com-tutorial/The BiggerPockets Keyword Alert System is an awesome tool: https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/12/1...See you on future threads!

I wonder if your local MLS provider has a list of MLS_only brokers in their system?

Do you want to be an active investor, building those systems and teams while traveling to do so or would you prefer something more passive?

A lot depends on an individuals motivation, dedication, learning capacity, decision making capacity, analytical ability, time available, support system, mental state, and yes, luck. 

(the accounting theory behind it) Your question implies that you expect some logic behind our tax system.