@Constance Kang  the first set up team are usually paid Hollywood actors. 

Start by setting up a proper business structure—an LLC or S-Corp—and obtaining an EIN.

If you're not careful, the administrative requirements can trip you up—but when done right, the savings can be well worth the effort.For those of us scaling our portfolios or actively managing real estate deals, the conversation about structure isn’t just theoretical—it directly impacts how we protect our wealth and position ourselves for long-term growth.What I’ve found is that many investors don’t realize how critical their personal credit is in setting up these entities successfully and accessing the funding they need to operate and grow.

Her contract says nothing about set up fees or early termination; I gave a generous offer to keep $400 as a design fee, but she sent me (2) $30 deadbolts and said the Technology Fee was non-refundable.There's other, better STR management companies out there.

My question is, what about setting up an LLC and/or a land trust to avoid probate when you pass on?

My mortgage is $1700/month which is a lot, but I’ll take my cash flow from the rentals to off set my mortgage which has 8 years left on a 15 year mortgage.

Compare that to the seller's staffing matrix and make adjustments as needed. 

@Tim HoltFrom my experience, house hacking can work well if you focus on minimizing living expenses and setting yourself up for future cash flow.

Set your standards up front.Raise the rent to the market max and the difference will cover the deposit in 12 months or so.

SPECIAL RULES FOR SECTION 1031 LIKE-KIND EXCHANGE TRANSACTIONS, page 135 states:". 01 Taxpayers are provided the relief described in this section if an IRS News Release or other guidance provides relief for acts listed in this revenue procedure (unless the news release or other guidance specifies otherwise)..02(1) The last day of a 45-day identification period set forth in § 1.1031(k)-1(b)(2)(i) of the Income Tax Regulations, the last day of a 180-day exchange period set forth in § 1.1031(k)-1(b)(2)(ii), and the last day of a period set forth in section 4.02(3) through (6) of Rev.