Real estate investing is not passive or easy.

Asking in the correct forum will get a better response.Read the RULES!

Also, I would look at rental rates to property values to determine if any areas are around the 1% rule.

It's pretty easy to get suckered into a bad out of state deal because others want to make a quick buck, and you'll be left holding the bag. 

Other complexes have put in a quota systyem of allowing only 10% rental and every one of the copmplexes instituting those rules already have at leats 10% rentals. 

Stairs are the only way to get in, no grab rails in the bathroom, ramps that are too steep, etc.From what I've read, all commercial businesses/buildings (including ones before the ADA was passed) have to comply with the rules, unless it would be outrageously tough to fix (like installing an elevator in an already built building).Are all these local business just not complying and taking the risk, or am I missing something? 

Tax deductions / write-offs should be a second concern.There are some rules that you need to follow to treat a short-term rental as 'active'(non passive) income which would allow you to offset it against other forms of income such as rental income / wages.

And as long as they're current and not breaking rules in the lease, they can say rude things to me.But blasting loud music etc sounds past that.

The "easy" answer - short term rentals where your brother participates materially in the operations - this would mean 500+ hours a year.It sounds simple from a tax planning perspective. 

Rental collection seems easy.