There’s technically no required holding period as intent is what matters, and you would be already demonstrating it is an investment by renting it out (presumably at fair market value to third parties or those unrelated to you).  

I use the above example to demonstrate a task that we found redundant and wasteful.

So you would want to be able to demonstrate that you converted it with the intent to hold for productive us. 

How you approach the mentor demonstrates how you will approach real estate investing.

In terms of assets, some only require a VOD (verification of deposit) a few days before closing which is solely to demonstrate sufficient funds for down payment/closing costs (purchase) and reserves (both purchase and refi). 

This demonstrates how little journalists know and it is an important concept for investors to understand.

This is your property, not there's and it has to be demonstrated. 

The safe harbor referenced by the other attorney is Revenue Procedure 2008-16 in which the IRS agrees to not question your investment intent if you've owned the property for 12 years, rented it in two consecutive years, and not stayed in it more than 2 weeks or 10% of the number of days it's rented (not counting any days you stay in it while working on it.What gets ignored is that case law over the years has also used the phrases, two years, two calendar years, and two tax years as periods that would be appropriate (if you were able to demonstrate intent in that time). 

any old lender doesn't cut it, and you'll want to meet someone who is responsive, has househacked/owns rental property themselves who can demonstrate their understanding and show you the way. 

How you approach the mentor demonstrates how you will approach real estate investing.