Since there are not many ways to reduce taxes retroactively for a previous year, understanding options like these can be particularly valuable at this time of year.

Since you and your husband bring 20+ years of residential construction experience to the table, you already have a huge advantage.

Initially I really wanted to do a STR down in North Padre Texas (as it is a place I have vacationed for years and have stayed in at least 8-10 of the STR in the exact complex im looking into, I see how my STR could stand out amongst the rest since Im huge fisherman down there and that is mainly what those STR are used as, already have boat rental option setup if I go this route, list of fishing and possible guides to go with depending on style of fishing, family, fun, hardcore wade fisherman etc etc and equipment rental available for those that do not have.), the places im looking at are decent $ properties that after running through calculators etc showing 18-22% CoC after management fees etc.But after listening to BP for about a month, now thinking BRRRR possibly and doing up here in the DFW area.

although we bought about 6 years ago or so for 270 put 100k into it so you can do the math  no debt .. hoa 400  we pay utls. 200 or so.. so 600 a month out of the 3500.. tax's about 1500 a year ( got to love Vegas taxs ) value today right at 600k.. so lets say we net about 33k a year on 370k cash .. so not bad little under 10% COC with an outstanding tenant one of the best I have ever had.PS given tenant quality we manage ourselves.. 

Why do you want to buy 2 rentals a year?

Most HMLs use 30 years.

Avantstay has a whole licensing department.

But, as my wife and I have done this over the past 5 years, we have found it moves less and less each time, and that we are essentially living the life we envisioned 5 years ago when we started this process. 

These figures are updated every Federal fiscal year which starts October 1. 

In short - if you aren't licensed to do the work -  your services aren't going to satisfy the permitting agency.