As a starting point: -If they work full time and make $700k a year -Don't want to or can't spend time self managing a short-term rental -Don't have a spouse who wants to take the lead on managing the rentals They are likely not going to directly reduce their taxable income with real estate year-to-year. 

Quote from @Daniel Windingstad: Quote from @Obed Calixte: Some people have the personality, processes and systems & time to self manage, some do not.

Apartment buildings, assisted living facilities, self storage, restaurants... 

Here's a list of non-recourse lenders: https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/2810/50272-list-of-non-recourse-lenders-for-self-directged-ira-and-401k

A 1031 exchange doesn’t apply, but funding through a self-directed IRA can defer taxes, though profits from debt financing may trigger UBIT.To reduce taxes, consider forming an LLC for better expense deductions, offsetting gains with investment losses, or holding the property for 12+ months to qualify for lower long-term capital gains rates.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

If you had $50K in a Self direct IRA how would you leverage that to yield short and long term dividends? 

None of these communities will be changing to residential neighborhoods, although a couple do have residential 'sides' that full time residents live in and can not be rented short term.Two of the big communities that you will have some issues with self managing are Reunion and Margaritaville.

I don't want to violate any of the self-promotion rules on this thread by specifically linking or name-dropping, but it's from a data analytics platform I am working on specifically built for tracking construction, debt, and ownership activity in the Philadelphia region.I will be posting more detailed insights soon. 

Until then, the general Knowledge a tax accountant has on real estate will be sufficient for the price and benefit I get. 

Self-Employment Opportunities: Would it make sense to start a side business related to my rental properties (such as property management) to access more deductions?