Would you trade a property that makes $600 of cash flow a month that has $100,000 of equity For two properties that each have $100,000 of equity but that make zero cash flow?

Gen Z may be leading a revival in the trades. 1) In an aging population, the median age of electricians, mechanics, and plumbers is falling. 2) Vocational school enrollment is growing faster than at 4-year colleges.More young folks are considering the trades as a career.

The IRS cross-references your 1098s with claimed deductions, raising concerns if discrepancies arise.Private Lenders and Forms 1098: Private lenders are required to send Forms 1098, but only if they meet specific criteria:The private lender operates as a “trade or business,” distinguishing professional lenders from casual lenders like friends or family members.The loan is issued to an individual or a disregarded single-member LLC.The loan is a mortgage secured by real property.The annual interest paid on the mortgage was $600 or more for the previous year.The conditions leave some room for interpretation, particularly regarding the “trade or business” clause.

Another teacher I know trades stocks on the side and does well with that. 

I want a specialist that's an expert, and not a jack of all trades and master of none.

I'm an electrical engineer by trade, so I think I've got a good handle on the technical content, but the wording and legal may need help.  

I often do site visits to the property and then design/draw the hvac/plumbing systems for the building.From what I gather below the following would all fall under "real property trades":"The statute lists 11 types of real property trades or businesses: real property development, redevelopment, construction, reconstruction, acquisition, conversion, rental, operation, "I believe that my line of work can be classified under "real property development", "construction", "conversion".

Don't limit yourself to targeting 8 units, as @Robert Rixer said focus on the numbers of the deal, and make sure you are comfortable with the risk/reward trade off. 

I regret almost every property I have sold early on, except the ones in rougher areas - I am glad I traded up.Your next move should be a house hack with 5% down. 

I likely will take only speculate in these areas to trade the equity and consolidate out.