If you materially participate and rent for 7 days or less, and don't use it personally, this will be a non-passive activity and losses can be written against active income. 

Many sites do syndicate MLS data, but it's much more robust for active listings and a large fail for closed statistics.

I'm familiar with a few areas more east that perform very well and there are some active vacation rentals with healthy income records on the market there as well.

My best advice is to look for someone who’s active in the markets you’re interested in and has been through the challenges of Section 8 (e.g., inspections, tenant management).Analyzing Deals: With Section 8 properties, it's crucial to understand that Fair Market Rents (FMRs) aren't guaranteed, and neither are rents overall.

I wouldn't recommend taking private/hard money unless you have higher risk tolerance and you are ready for an active strategy (BRRRR/flip).

I will say that I came across White Haven due to both Sam and Ben being active here on BP, and Rise48 through Dave Thompson.

There is a few active FB groups that have meet ups

Politics definitely effects taxes and the economy.I'm sure relevance will vary by location, individual, type of investing activity and other factors.

Go to meet ups in the area, find out all active investors in that market, talk to brokers in the market who have clients looking for capital, attend events that you can network, and look into joining the various communities in real estateGino

Until I became active in the forums about a year ago, I had no idea this fear and obsession existed.