Here's a map comparing income tax rates by state.Rent control: Never invest in any city that imposes significant limits on your ability to manage your own properties.

And we have a little bit of bandwidth to build for other people now but right now kind of limiting that to investor friends or family.  

I want to increase my personal income to help fund a second rental, but my career limits me mainly to remote jobs and gigs.I’m curious if there are any other investors out there that started with a similar skill set to mine, and what other skills they developed to help increase their W2 income and to help build their real estate knowledge and experience? 

If not, do you materially participate in the syndication or are you simply a limited partner?

Less than double the premium on the homeowner's policy I had previously, with a higher limit and lower deductible. 

After contacting four insurance agents, I've been consistently told that I need to purchase two separate policies: one for standard coverage and another for liability.The only option presented to me is the California Fair Plan, which offers limited coverage.

While they tend to offer lower returns than stocks or real estate, they provide stability and consistent income.Another potential avenue is health savings accounts (HSAs), which offer a triple tax benefit—contributions are tax-deductible, earnings grow tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free if used for qualified medical expenses.

Generally speaking, knowing your limits & your investors limits as a private lender is most important.

Then if you want you can gift that back to her using annual gift limits. 

Hold firm.If you get nervous, drop the rent $100 per month or confirm your marketing is good.You do limit the prospective tenant base by restricting pets, but that is your prerogative.