@Peter Mckernan @Mark Frattini@Allen Tracy @Katie L. also looking for a RE-savvy CPA in California who can work with me to execute the STR strategy to offset W2 income with losses from a cost seg study I'm conducting.

This seems like a comparatively low-risk opportunity, and you can prove to yourself that you can do it!

In this document, I will share a portion of a study I conducted with some of our clients.

I'm a college student (studying agronomy) in eastern Idaho, living with my wife, daughter, and bernedoodle .

Thanks for proving my point.   

Michael is correct, you would want to ensure that a cost segregation study / bonus depreciation would actually reduce your tax burden before you get a cost seg done.  

Of course its full doc and we have to prove we are worthy of the loan.

I think they more or less are living there, but proving that is another matter, as they are claiming they live with a different relative, but their cars are often at my apartment building.

Find descriptions of the process, and study the process.

Or it may not be a bad idea to study for your own realtor lic.