@Julie Doke: Industry specific software speaks to you and you can easily relate it to your day to day process.

End goal is get into the commercial housing and industrial.

Are you intentionally looking to outsource the management and day to day operations to a management company versus self-managing? 

It doesn't matter the company you work for as long as you are part of the real estate industry. 

If I had the business headquartered at some commercial or industrial space, I could deduct the entire cost of the space. 

Then I'd probably spread that $750k out amongst numerous operators and diversify across asset classes that I like (for me it would be industrial, multifamily, storage, and mobile home parks).

Then I begin to research the industry.

I've learned that it's extremely important to find balance in this industry as your passion for your business can impact your personal life greatly!

I currently work as a Pipefitter (think plumbing but on industrial steroids).

I do not think they regulate this strictly on other industries like food service, or even medical.Sounds like the mayor or city planner or someone "important" had a bad stay at a STR somewhere.