Me and my partner moved from Utah to Maryland for school recently and we have a townhouse that we are looking to rent. we are currently remodeling and changing a few things before renting. what are the first steps to change my primary to a rental I lived there for about two years.

I'd start talking to her and looking for another place for her to live. 

Lenders will want a letter from your employer that states you are allowed to work remote from where you currently live and that this move will not affect your income. 

Based on your question, you have two core decisions to make, and they may conflict with one another - where do you want to live, and where do you want to invest? 

It always seems the people that don't live in CA or have ever lived in CA are always the one leading the bandwagon of "why would anyone live in CA?".

Hey, I was taught pimps and ho's and gang bangers gotta live somewhere too.

Are you saying you want to STR rooms in the unit you are living in?

Quote from @Ericka Parrott: Hi Dylan, I live here in Atlanta.

Currently all I own is a 70-year old house that I live in--it is in good shape but needs updates.

Renovated it, lived in it for 2 years then moved on.