Obtaining as much knowledge as I can about the markets that I'm interested in but also want to limit the amount of time wasting I'm doing with potential team members.I can see arguments for both having a realtor first or a property manager first and I'm curious to hear from OOS investors how they began initiating their out of state teams and who was more beneficial to begin working with first when you have little expertise in the market you're about to enter.Thanks in advance!

It's should be mutual relationship between with all parties. 

You might consider engaging an attorney to draft a "Mutual Agreement to Terminate Lease" or something to that effect that is valid in your state.A simple 1-2 page agreement outlining that 1) she has surrendered or abandoned the premises, 2) you have her permission to dispose of her personal property, 3) and you have her permission to liquidate her deposit for past due rent, can save you tons of potential legal headaches down the road, and would likely be far less expensive and time consuming than an eviction.Forget trying to collect on the remaining months of the existing lease.

It is not always beneficial to accelerate your depreciation.

As a newbie RE Investor, do you think I would benefit by becoming a Realtor?  From your experiences, what are the advantages and disadvantages of being both an Investor and Realtor in the DC, MD, VA area?  Thank you.  

As a newbie RE Investor, do you think I would benefit by becoming a Realtor?  From your experiences, what are the advantages and disadvantages of being both an Investor and Realtor in the DC, MD, VA area?  Thank you.

IMO, investing with a partner whom you trust can be beneficial because it (1) gives you a new perspective on every decision that needs to be made, (2) gives you double the manpower to do work to the property, research the market, etc., and (3) is valuable financially (i.e. more cash to the table, able to shoulder more debt, etc.).

I think it will be beneficial in the long run for future investments as well.

Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k SimilaritiesBoth were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions; andBoth are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(mThe Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k DifferencesIn order to open a solo 401k, self-employment, whether on a part-time or full-time basis, is required;To open a self-directed IRA, self-employment income is not required;In order to gain IRA checkbook control over the self-directed IRA funds, a limited liability companyThe Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k DifferencesIn order to open a solo 401k, self-employment, whether on a part-time or full-time basis, is required;To open a self-directed IRA, self-employment income is not required;In order to gain IRA checkbook control over the self-directed IRA funds, a limited liability company (IRA LLC) must be utilized;The solo 401k allows for checkbook control from the onset;The solo 401k allows for personal loan known as a solo 401k loan;It is prohibited to borrow from your IRA;The Solo 401k may be invested in life insurance;The self-directed IRA may not be invested in life insurance;The solo 401k allow for high contribution amounts (for 2018, the solo 401k contribution limit is $55,000, whereas the self-directed IRA contribution limit is $5,500);The solo 401k business owner can serve as trustee of the solo 401k;The self-directed IRA participant/owner may not serve as trustee or custodian of her IRA; instead, a trust company or bank institution is required;When distributions commence from the solo 401k a mandatory 20% of federal taxes must be withheld from each distribution and submitted electronically to the IRS by the 15th of the month following the date of each distribution;Rollovers and/or transfers from IRAs or qualified plans (e.g., former employer 401k) to a solo 401k are not reported on Form 5498, but rather on Form 5500-EZ, but only if the air market value of the solo 401k exceeds $250K as of the end of the plan year (generally 12/31);When funds are rolled over or transferred from an IRA or 401k to a self-directed IRA, the amount deposited into the self-directed IRA is reported on Form 5498 by the receiving self-directed IRA custodian by May of the year following the rollover/transfer.Rollovers (provided the 60 day rollover window is satisfied) from an IRA to a Solo 401k or self-directed IRA are reported on lines 15a and 15b of Form 1040;Pre-tax IRA contributions on reported on line 32 of Form 1040;Pre-tax solo 401k contributions are reported on line 28 of Form 1040;Roth solo 401k funds are subject to RMDs;A Roth 401k may be transferred to a Roth IRA (Note that from a planning perspective, it may be advantageous to transfer Roth Solo 401k funds to a Roth IRA before turning age 70 ½ in order to escape the Roth RMD requirement applicable to Roth 401k contributions including Roth Solo 401k contributions and earnings.)

@Brooke Noth, could you please send me that agent's info as well, that would be a really beneficial connection if it all works out well.