You may want to consider working with your tax strategist remotely to expand your options.I would also recommend looking for a tax strategist willing to work with you throughout the year, not just when preparing your tax return.

Not being pessimistic, just preparing you. 

There is some really good ones out there who are not surprised by this market cycle, who prepared for it, anticipated it, took actions in preparation for it, and are weathering it like the Master Navigators of the investing sea they are. 

You can invest with no money down - but it doesn't mean you could and should have $0. you need to prepare for worst case scenario's(roof, furnace, etc needs repairs and will need $$) feel free to ask me any specific question that you have.

You may want to consider working with your tax strategist remotely to expand your options.I would also recommend looking for a tax strategist willing to work with you throughout the year, not just when preparing your tax return.

This means lower returns, of course, but we're not currently prepared to oversee a major reno from afar.

If you are not comfortable with your accountant or how he is preparing/explaining your return, you may need a new accountant. 

I plan to get one eventually, but fires are just something to prepare for.

Are you prepared to lose money?

You don't necessarily need a CPA licensed in those states to provide you with tax planning, tax advice or to help prepare your return.licensure for CPA's by states are normally important when you want to provide assurance / auditing related assurance