Basic services like garbage collection don’t qualify.Material participation: Owners must pass one of the seven material participation tests, such as:You spend more than 500 hours working in your short-term rental business.You carry out all the necessary tasks to run the business yourself.You work more than 100 hours in the business, and no one else contributes more time than you do (this is often considered the best and easiest test to meet).

It's not sexy, and 24-year-olds would rather spend thousands listening to a YouTuber who promises secret shortcuts that tickle their ears. 

A Little About My Situation:I currently work in EMS in California and will be super commuting, working 10-day stretches in California while spending the rest of my time in Missouri.

Expect to spend $10-$20k in FC and of course all the taxes and insurance on the home during this time.

The IRS rules  say you’d need to spend more than 50% of your total working hours in real estate and hit at least 750 hours a year doing real estate stuff to qualify.

I probably spend 3-5 hours a month on it and that is my own accounting and keeping up with market updates.

In my case, I have relatives who are builders (in a different state) but have good connections with subs, etc. and I am spending the time to personally review all proposals (obtaining some on my own as a check), etc. so that I am confident that the cost incurred is appropriate. 

As long as you are able to prove its not a "true log cabin" you should be fine.Materials listed, it looks like that may be one that just resembles, but be sure to ask your agent first, or the seller before you spend time and $ on it. 

I spend a lot of time thinking about this one. 

Or he might just retire and spend a lot more time with his young kids.