That is actually pretty common, although the law regarding filing the tax exemption has changed in the past couple of years, before you could buy for example a house any day in 2024, but the new tax exemption could not be filed until Jan 1, 2025. 

I want to provide access through the common wall of the two units of a duplex. nothing fancy, sort of a "doorway" without a door, same size of a door.

BTW, a common misconception is that hard money loans are used when borrowers are “short” down payment money.  

Hey Nick, yep already said but if you can't qualify based on your wife's income alone then a bank statement program is the most common for business owners when the taxes might not average what they're looking for. 

Hey @Devin Bost, it sounds like you’re facing a common challenge in managing short-term rentals remotely.

It is very common for one employee to not know what the other is doing;2) Fees:- Instead of requiring tenants to pay in one lump sum, they let them pay in chunks (which is very annoying as they will charge you $10 for each chunk payment your tenant make; that means you'll be charged $30-40 more per unit/month if they let them pay in 3-4 chunks);- Every bill they pay for you will cost you $10 (+$20-40 more per unit/month).

When I saw my tax advisor/attorney, he said another option would be to have a separate LLC for each property with a holding company for expenses common to all properties and to make distributions and contributions.

We also send an automated message to them around noon time the day after check-in just to see if they have any questions or need anything, most guests really appreciate us checking in with them, this also avoids the common scenario of guests that have an issue at the property but just choose not to tell you about it, then leave a bad review without giving you a chance to make things right.

Oh well, second guessing the law is common enough.

I simply am providing you with actual data and common sense so you can learn and start guiding others on the right path.