A fair rate for solid management typically falls between 20-25%.Superhost or High Review Ratings Matter – Ask if the properties they manage consistently earn Superhost status or maintain high guest ratings.Communication & Accountability – A good property manager should be responsive and proactive.

He is currently a travel PT that makes $37k pre-taxed but after including all his stipends, his annual earnings are  closer to $95k-$97k.

If you want to work with multiple agents, those agents know there's a very low chance of ever earning a dime, so they won't waste their time.Agents do much more than find property.

Often times you will pay much more in taxes than if you pulled the money out, paid the taxes and penalty and then started investing in real estate.For example, with the financing you mentioned, the IRA must pay taxes on the portion of the profit earned by financing. 

Though I would caution you on hard money lending until you understand the industry a bit better, that can be very rewarding but you have to be able to do your due diligence on deals because you're turning over your hard-earned money to an individuals project, often a flip. 

But let HIM earn it.

of course, but you are taking that chance with your hard earned money. if you cannot afford or do not have the time to make a few trips out of state investing is just not a good idea  for many reasons.  

Property management fees and software subscriptions are deductible, and depreciation reduces taxable rental income.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

Here are a few strategies to consider for funding a down payment:Partnering: Like Gregory mentioned, finding a partner who can contribute to the down payment in exchange for equity or a profit share is a solid option.HELOC or Cash-Out Refi: If you have equity in your home or another property, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance can provide the funds you need.Private Money: Reach out to friends, family, or private investors who may be interested in lending you the down payment with a promissory note.Seller Second: In some cases, the seller might agree to finance a portion of the down payment as a second mortgage.Live Frugally and Save: It takes time, but reducing expenses and setting aside funds from your income is a tried-and-true method.The right approach depends on your situation and deal structure, but a mix of creativity and resourcefulness can go a long way.

We converted to a self-service model a few months after we took over, which has substantially reduced the workload.