More work, more time but you can take advantage of a nice cost segregation / bonus depreciationThis is the truth! 

You need the backup option in case the mid-term rental market changes.Minimizing turn costs and downtime is critical.

==========================My relative is asking if this is a viable way to legally avoid having to pay taxes:STEP 1: SELL PRIMARY RESIDENCE (House A)-Sell primary residence to son-in-law for cost basis + $500K-File gift tax form for difference between sale price & market value-Not pay capital gains on $500K due to personal exemption.STEP 2: SELL RENTAL PROPERTIES-Do 1031 exchange and buy House A back from son-in-law-Rent out House A for 1 year before move back in==========================Thoughts?

Insurance-  replacement costs.  

Most PM software allows late fees to be charged.Ours allows us to absorb the cost of tenants paying electronically thru the software - it usually wants to charge tenants, but we want them to pay electronically.We manually charge tenants a Processing Fee for mailing in their rent, a slightly lower Processing Fee for depositing to our bank.Your success will depend on the Class of your tenants.

@Cameron Porter ultimately the most important part is the ARV, inclusive of the expected rehab costs.

The short version is that you want a strong and diverse job market, low unemployment rates, a growing population, low vacancy rates and new development, affordability/cost of living, real estate laws and court system, good schools, and low crime.Check out the videos from Dave Meyers with BiggerPockets.

This can often be cost-prohibitive. 

Second thing would be to work with a contractor, this is great stuff to do since you know building a house, building material costs, and knowledge of right and wrong what to do. 

Here are my two cents...I recommend starting in a market with strong fundamentals, such as steady population growth, an influx of major corporations or large businesses relocating to the area, an affordable cost of living, and high rental demand.