I have been operating STRs for 5 years now, and there are many with much more experience, so you are sure to get other opinions.  

By accelerating your depreciation schedules, you reduce your taxable income which in turn increases your operating cash flow.

I am looking to connect with sober living operators who can provide references and proof of running a successful sober living business in Los Angeles County, California.

Check with your local boots-on-the-ground team to learn about how that particular HOA operates.

Is it because people that operate and manage their own str can hit the 100 hour participation rule?

Including financing strategies and cost of operating.

I am semi retired at age 44, I sold my franchise business 1 year ago and have a very good idea of what it takes to operate a business successfully. 

We are not real estate licensed, so that would be the biggest area of opportunity to learn (we'd use a realtor at least in the beginning).We are considering selling the company because 1) my husband hates managing W2 employees/operations (but he loves working with subs) and 2) it would give us extra cash up front to reinvest.

I want to be happy and free in my late twenties, like the book suggests, not worrying about operating these franchises.

You know, operate it like a business.