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.

Then you can discuss prices with individual subcontractors.

Not aware of a client that would award a contractor operating as an individual a major project with the contractor exposed to tons of personal liability.The conflict arises because most general contractors, are used to being retained to source for both materials and labor for the client.

But for now I am continuing along with my normal W2, saving as much as possible, and learning every chance I get.I am looking to meet like-minded individuals and hopefully some mentors along the way.Steven              

What incentive does a bank have to offer you the same interest rate they charge the US gov't (who, I'm sorry to say is more credit-worthy than you -- or any individual). 

Although AB-968 doesn’t specifically mention “licensed” contractors, the state of California already stipulates that “anyone who contracts to perform work that is valued at $500 or more in combined labor and materials costs must hold a current, valid license from CSLB” (source: CSLB).With AB-968, if work is performed by an (un)licensed contractor in an amount that exceeds $500, disclosing that entity’s or individual’s name and contact information becomes a legal requirement.

This can involve public hearings and meeting specific requirements.Surveyor: Hire a surveyor to map the property and define the boundaries of each condo unit.Legal Counsel: Work with a real estate attorney to ensure all legal requirements are met and the condo conversion is properly documented.Financial and Operational Considerations:Condo Fees: Determine the monthly condo fees for maintenance, repairs, and other communal expenses.Insurance: Ensure proper insurance coverage for the condo association and individual units.Reserve Fund: Establish a reserve fund for future repairs and maintenance.Tax Considerations:Initial Purchase with 1031 Exchange: 1031 Exchange Basics: By using a 1031 exchange, you defer capital gains taxes on the sale of your previous property by reinvesting the proceeds into a new like-kind property.Down Payment and Financing: You're putting down $220,000 and financing the remainder at 8% over 20 years, resulting in a monthly payment of $2,593.Converting to Condos and Selling Units:Capital Gains Deferral: The 1031 exchange allows you to defer capital gains on the initial exchange.

As an individual looking for one off you will find it hard to find a title company that is going to do any serious work for free.Also there are a lot of time pay services that do put all this together for you.. 

and seeking some wisdom for a rookie.Interested specifically in Kissimmee/Orlando/Davenport as Disney market feels familiar to me and it’s generally a cheaper entry point than beach condos.Looking at Regal Oaks (staying here now on vacation myself and enjoying it, though have read mixed things about occupancy), Windsor Hills, and Champions Gate.Goal is to have a second home that I AirBnb out the majority of the year but also can escape to when NYC is ruthless (like now :) hoping to live in the 150-250K range, bonus if there’s a pool (regal oaks has community pool and individual hot tubs), and solid amenities.Other than reading for my life, how can I number crunch and prepare for this?

Here are some key points to consider:Accessibility: Residential properties are often more accessible to individual investors, especially those starting out with smaller capital.Tenant Stability: While turnover can occur, residential leases tend to have shorter terms, offering more flexibility if you want to adjust rents or change tenants.Market Liquidity: Generally, residential properties are easier to buy and sell due to higher demand from individual homebuyers and investors alike.Emotional Appeal: Homes and apartments can have a strong emotional appeal to buyers and renters, which can influence demand and pricing stability.Purchasing: Residential real estate will require a down payment of at least 10% of the purchase price.