A reserve is unnecessary, but I still keep around $15,000 - $20,000 in my account.The point is, that you should sit down and assess your finances to determine what the worst-case scenario may look like, how much you would need to cover it without impacting your life, and whether you will need to build a reserve.

However, I think some upcoming life changes may be the right opportunity for me to dip my toes in the water in real estate investing.I live in Pflugerville, TX (25 minutes from downtown Austin) and will soon be moving to Portland, OR, for my dream job.

To set the scene: A cost seg study breaks your property into two important categories:1250 "real" property aka the building, foundation and other long life assets.1245 property aka anything that can be accelerated such as 5, 7, or 15 year property like carpets, cabinets, or other site improvements.

Don't make your life more complicated than it has to be.

I have read multiple books on the subject but I am lacking someone in my life that has already walked through the process. 

PMI is locked in for life.

Life took some twists after my husband passed away...

But IRS allows an IRA to be invested in anything except life insurance and collectibles.

Passengers in their own life. 

Find one that fits with your life and how much effort/capital you have.