Utilities for the Rented HouseDeductible as a rental expense from when the property was placed in service (ready to rent).

AS such, you probably would not buy the house you have now as a primary rental from the get go.  

As a newbie , I would start shopping for a property manager who can list and manage the rental.

It is hard but as a realtor I pay attention to prices throughout the year so that I have an idea of whether or not it is a "real" discount.

I was interested in something like owning a rental property as a way to generate some additional income. 

They can do this as 1031 exchange, which is also known as a consolidation exchange.

We have had it as a rental for 5 years now and have had only 15 days of vacancy. 

Would it be possible to connect to discuss more about the process of purchasing property as a military investor? 

After a Valentines purchase as well as a couple others, I was able to convince him this was a good move.

You can use this property to hedge any others that you add that may only cover themselves, or require supplement until they are paid off.HOWEVER, if you have decided that your goal is to use Real Estate as a stepping stone to build wealth by upgrading the property you hold each time (condo to house, house to 4-plex, 4-plex to 8 unit, etc) then I think you are right to sell now while you think the property is at the top of it's appreciation.It will be hard for anyone on BP to tell you what to do as we don't know your goal.You are right.