My go to for lowest hassles, taxes and  transaction costs are Lease Options or selling directly to the renters. 

I tend to find my own properties and deal with the realtors directly but having a realtor if you are brand new to the area, is helpful. 

Was your comment/offer directed at me or @Levi Perl (or both)?

I'm buying a duplex to house hack, but I've contacted a few companies and all of them said that they are not writing policies in California. 

I truly believe that how I run my properties and take care of my tenants is a direct reflection of my character and work ethic. 

Contact me if you want to discuss. 

It’s a bit of a tangled web, but if you need more info on it, do your research first, and then you can contact me to help you sort out the current rules. 3) The tax benefits are severely hampered if you there is any money from your original property that doesn’t get spent on the replacement property, so it’s best to purchase a more expensive one to avoid losing those benefits.4) It is imperative that you do not receive any money directly from the sale of the original investment property.

Quote from @Laura Morlock: I have an opportunity to purchase a very beautiful and unique property - striking century manor house directly on the river, 1.5 acres, huge detached garage/workshop, in a quaint little town 15 mins to two major cities and a little under an hour west of Toronto.I know the property inside and out, it's turnkey, and I would love to own it, but I don't know what to do with it.

You will only be entitled to the deductions directly tied to the property, such as interest, taxes, insurance and maintenance. 

I know this is a very general "well it depends" question, but I'm just hoping for some general advice and direction.