I know the market likes to front run.The trump trade to some is definitive trade on some form of hyperinflation, and a consumer discretionary increase via reduced taxes, yet higher costs. 

Most landlord businesses DO qualify as a "trade or business."

Note, I speak of this as an immigrant household.To expand on #3; international trade is good.

If for some reason I need to return security deposit at a different time I'll either take the 3mo interest from their security deposit, or I'll do a trade from my reserves. 

At my point in life everything I own is both a cash flow superstar and appreciating nicely, because I'm invested in growing, popular areas.If I was just starting off now, I'd probably be aiming for value-add in good areas where I could either live there while improving the unit(s) - ie a duplex, triplex - or where I could trade sweat equity for profit, or both.

Investing does need to be approached more like a business than just a simple stock trade.

You bring up an excellent point about the trade-offs between second home and investment property loans.

By trade and training, I’m a marketing, finance, and strategy guy, but at heart, I’m an entrepreneur who loves working with people and building meaningful connections.Real estate has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and now I’m diving in to carve my own path. 

Most service or trades people us included increase the rates for customers we don’t want.  

It's a good trade-off for now.On the agent side, the best performing videos for me are two kinds:1. market specific with detailed info only for locals (Top 5 restaurants in this part of town, why you should move to Milwaukee, etc.)2. home inspection rundowns and buyer-side process videos.I use all of my playlists to send to buyers, sellers, and investors in advance so all of their questions are answered without me having to go back over it.