Can I use this negative cash flow as property losses every year to reduce my taxable income, or not since I make over $150,000?

:A bad tenant can lead to thousands of dollars of losses via unpaid rents, legal fees and property damages.

But be aware that that alleged 22% discount will be eaten up and then some by your losses.

Converting your single-family home into a rental property involves several considerations to protect yourself and ensure smooth operations: Establish an LLC:Liability Protection: Holding the rental property in an LLC can protect your personal assets from potential lawsuits related to the property.Tax Benefits: An LLC can offer tax advantages, such as pass-through taxation, where rental income is taxed at your individual income tax rate.Insurance:Landlord Insurance: Ensures coverage for property damage, liability claims, and loss of rental income.Umbrella Policy: Provides additional liability coverage beyond your landlord insurance, offering extra protection.Deductions:Mortgage Interest and Property Taxes: Continue to deduct these expenses.Depreciation: Depreciate the cost of the property over 27.5 years, excluding the land value.Maintenance and Repairs: Deduct costs related to maintaining the property.Property Management Fees: Deduct fees paid to the property manager.Filing Taxes:Schedule E: Report rental income and expenses on Schedule E of your tax return.Separate Accounts: Maintain separate bank accounts for rental income and expenses to simplify bookkeeping.Lease Agreement:Solid Lease Terms: Ensure your lease agreement is thorough, covering rent amount, due date, late fees, maintenance responsibilities, and eviction terms.Legal Review: Have the lease agreement reviewed by a real estate attorney to ensure compliance with local laws.Tenant Screening:Background Checks: Perform credit, criminal, and eviction history checks on prospective tenants.References: Contact previous landlords and employers for references.Property Management:Regular Inspections: Schedule regular property inspections to ensure it's being maintained properly.Maintenance Fund: Set aside a reserve fund for unexpected repairs and maintenance.Moving Out of State:Communication: Maintain open communication with your property manager.

Property management is generally a loss leader in the real estate industry.

It will carry a net loss of about $4k/month, or more, to keep the lights on.

Hire someone professionally locally to work for you and oversee manage the project (a construction manager).Some examples I can provide having worked in the construction industry is - soda bottles filled with urine in the walls, food thrown in the walls, throwing coffee down duct risers, sheetrocked over outlets providing fire hazard...

But you also have to track your material participation time in your property(s) if you're trying to qualify to use your real estate tax loss to offset your other income. 

I now see competitor listings at 60+ DOM, so their extra month vacancy already exceeds losses from lower rent…. and they’ll likely settle with a worse tenant.

Breakeven or even a small loss in the first year is not so bad if you need to offset income...and the investor upside is always in the "hold".