Reality: still here, only a temporary increase in the exemption.- Plan: eliminate NIIT - Net Investment Income Tax.

Assuming the Oakland rental market continues to remain stagnant/competitive with newer buildings going up, is property appreciation the only way to increasing wealth with my building?

During turnovers they fix everything, and by everything, I mean they look for anything that they can do to increase the SOW in order to skim as much as they can off the work costs.

@Ashish Acharya A big part of my post is highlighting how specific details in local regulations can make it increasingly challenging to operate short-term rentals, even in towns where they’re technically permitted.

Utah has some of the cheapest tax and insurance rates, but their rent to price ratio is horrible and rents don't keep up with housing increases like they do here. 

I once rented a 5bed/3bath in two days, just a week before Christmas when the ground was covered with snow and ice.Sitting vacant in the winter increases the risk of frozen pipes or other expensive problems.

Increase time spent conversing with each lead that you get to learn more about how they view the property and implement reasonable changes accordingly.

The shorter the prepayment term has an impact on increasing the rate.4.

You will get away from income taxes and annual registration fees by going to the townships, but your property taxes skyrocket which may offset some of the rent increases.

@Shawn Tuma & @Chris KayVery difficult in today's market to cashflow putting 0% down:(5-10 years ago it was possible, but prices have increased faster than rents.Your best bet is to find a property that needs work, but will still pass a VA appraisal/inspection.