Quote from @Jason Malabute: Since the rental contract didn’t begin until January 1, 2025, the IRS would generally consider the property a rental property starting in 2025, not 2024.

If the property is vacant, you will attract a larger pool of buyers as not everyone looking for a house wants to use it as a rental.

This also added AC to the property which it didn’t have before. 

The reason I post this here is because I got totally different answers from two CPAsHere is the story:I bought the house as investment property and run it as STR for the last two years.

If the property is vacant, you will attract a larger pool of buyers as not everyone looking for a house wants to use it as a rental. 

I work with Property Management in Houston but can recommend some great networking/educational events for you :) Check out Space City REI - there's monthly meetups with an educational speaker relating to real estate investing and there are plenty of Investors looking for Wholesalers out there! 

If you are living there you can keep the 4% rate.If you are not living there you can rent it out to pay for the property taxes. 

I ask to take a walk through and document the current condition as my agreement states they can not damage the property during this process. and of course don't give them anything until you have walked through verified they are out and have voluntarily handed over keys. 

Do that for six months before you think about buying so you meet other people who are doing what you want to do.

Max of three rental properties.