And also since the numbers are provided to the IRS annually on your W2, there is no chance that the IRS would miss the data (eg: its not like you're playing against the 1% audit risk, there's 100% certainty of the computer seeing and interpretting the data)That said, I think the root of your question is: "if I make enough money, can I shelter more than the max" and the answer is: "of course you can, you just do it in different ways."

@Jim Lefevere Welcome I am an Indianapolis born and will be returning to my roots for investing purposes.  

This time I rather get to the root cause of the issue and get my account activated.

Balloon" framing (1920's I believe).Radon.Plaster and lathe instead of sheet rock (pre 1950's) or plaster and wire mesh variations (50's) more solid than sheetrock but a real b*tch to repair or demo if you're remodeling.You've got Galvy plumbing but also need to look out for other kinds of outdated plumbing like clay sewer lines (pre-1930's, prone to collapsing, bellies, root intrusion), cast iron (1950's, often rusted and/or cracked by now), and PB (polybutylene, gray-colored water pipes, 1980's, prone to rapid degradation and subsequent bursting, mostly gone by now).Buried Oil Tanks-- Do you have those there?

If it is just tree roots you can buy root killer at the hardware store and take care of it yourself.

The spores will actually grow roots inside of the drywall and cleaning/killing them become difficult or impossible so replacement is necessary. 

Note that being in Colorado, none of our rentals have A/C :)January: Change furnace filters (we do it- we have learned that tenants will not, it is just easier to do it ourselves)Test Smoke detectorsSpring:Yearly sewer rooting serviceSummer:Check on landscaping if anything needs us to attend toTest Smoke detectorsOctober:Change filters in furnaceHVAC cleanout

Can you build rappor with them quickly and get to the root of why they need to sell?

I would agree it's probably easier to go out of state and back to your roots where you have some familiarity.

It seems like people who actually have money are moving south, and these kids who are happy to make 35-45K/year are putting down roots right on the outskirts of town.