Quote from @Victor Yang:In addition, is it possible for me and my wife to gift 36k worth of equity per year of the house (under the annual exclusion limit) and therefore have none of the costs go towards the lifetime gift limit?

If less than two years, cost seg probably isn't a good route.

Finding a condo that allows Airbnb/STR will be challenging, they're rare and cost more because of it. 

.: New to REI & BP, and debating my first move.My Background:30, single, no kids, no property, high income, fully remote worker$300K to allocate toward real estate (+ $100K/year after tax)Currently renting in NYC but planning to move back to LA (hometown) in summer 2025 or the following yearTired of paying rent and want to start building equityMy Dilemma:1️⃣ House Hack in NYC – Stay a couple more years here, buy a small multi-family now and offset costs with rental income.

On the flip side, I am in the process of acquiring over $1.5M in defaulted DSCR loans form borrowers who are your age that put 25% down but had no money to fix any of the problems  = lost the renters and walked from the property.

If you treat this like a hobby, it will eventually cost you a lot more than you want to pay.

It cost me $8500 in my HCOL to get the electric separated on a 3 unit.

The right rate rents it—no need to overthink gimmicks or incentives.Virtual staging is the way to go.

There's no real hard and fast way or only 1 way or doing your first 2 points. your subject line suggests you're not looking to go to a large shop like a JLL or a CBRE which honestly I don't blame you those offices are usually pretty bloated.As far as monthly costs, if you are going to individually get a costar or other such license you are probably looking at $500-$1000 a month pretty easy in overhead once you have office dues, mls dues, marketing, etc. 

Financing costs- there is no better way to go bankrupt right now than to do a Subdivision.