Policy will not impact the market for a while, even a $25k first-time home buyer credit will need some time to work through the system.

my research shows 2.99% fee with Debit or Credit card to tenant if they pay use these forms of payment.

I would consider selling a property to pay off the credit card debt.Maybe your husband can manage the STR listings and potentially do the cleaning.Best of luck

Track record, unless it goes back 30 years, is pretty meaningless to me in today's climate. 

Once in, they could pay rent for a few months until you feel everything is perfect, which then greases the tracks for them to tear your life apart.

TIAIf you have an electronic record (bank statement, credit card, accounting software, etc) of the transaction the IRS doesn't require you to keep receipts unless it's a cash (took real paper money out of your pocket) transaction for $75 or more.

2) Time spent by others: to qualify for the test "100 hours and nobody spent more time", how do we track the time spent by others and what proof would be required in the event of an audit?

Does paying with credit card, venmo, paypal etc.......still allow you to NOT SEND 1099s?

I have really good income & have good credit -middle score is 768. 

I give you guys credit for taking the leap and making it work for yourselves - id like to follow in your footsteps in he near future.