@Tove Fox - Residential Real Estate InvestingPros:Lower Entry Costs: Easier to get started with less capital required.High Demand: People always need homes, making demand relatively stable.Easier Financing: Mortgages are generally easier to secure with favorable terms.Simplicity: Easier to understand and manage, especially for beginners.Flexibility: You can use it as a personal residence or rent it out.Cons:Tenant Turnover: More frequent turnover leads to vacancy and more management.Lower Cash Flow: Income potential can be modest compared to commercial properties.Emotional Buyers: Residential prices can be influenced by emotions, leading to price volatility.Maintenance Burden: Landlords often deal with repairs and maintenance, which can be time-consuming.Commercial Real Estate InvestingPros:Higher Income Potential: Stronger cash flow and higher returns are common.Long-Term Leases: Tenants often sign longer leases (3-10 years), reducing vacancy risk.Professional Tenants: Business tenants tend to take better care of the property.Valuation Based on Income: Prices are based on the income the property generates, not market emotions.Shared Costs: Tenants often cover property expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance (via triple-net leases).Cons:High Entry Costs: Requires more capital or partnerships to get started.Complex Management: More expertise is needed; you may need a professional property manager.Economic Sensitivity: Commercial properties are more sensitive to economic conditions.Challenging Financing: Securing financing can be harder, with stricter terms and higher interest rates.Zoning and Legalities: More complex regulations compared to residential properties.Key Differences:Risk: Residential tends to be lower risk, while commercial offers higher rewards but with greater risk.Management: Residential is easier for DIY investors, while commercial properties usually require a team.Scalability: Commercial properties are easier to scale, offering more potential for significant cash flow increases.

Some places (including my own market) require an out of area owner to use a local property manager.

There are short-term rental management companies that can help with that.One that I work with in Michigan covers the entire state and can advise on local short-term rental regulations or regulations that may be on the way, they can give you an analysis of the demand for short-term rentals in that area, nightly rates in that area, monthly occupancy percentage, and projected monthly income.They also let you choose the level of service you would like from them from full service to minimal.To your success!

I've always wondered if I could transfer to construction management.

As you progress your bookkeeping business, you'll likely want to learn how to export statements from a variety of property management platforms, as investor books are housed in bank accounts, spreadsheets, and a variety of property management and accounting software!

Managing a rental property can be challenging, especially if it’s your first experience.

I currently have a rental property and am looking at getting my real estate license and building a property management and property maintenance company to serve my investments and potentially others.  

I am an experienced investor and unexpectely find myself managing a duplex myself and wondering if there is a small landlord (aka inexpensive) simple solution for marketing, background checks and lease creation that markets on zillow? 

Letting Go for Your Bottom Line: A Lesson for Real Estate InvestorsHey BiggerPockets Community,If you’re a real estate investor, whether you own rental properties, flip houses, or manage syndications, there’s a critical lesson that could boost your bottom line: Letting Go.Many of us get into real estate because we want control over our financial future.

3) Buy a few out of state properties directly through an agent and work with a property manager to manage them?