To my knowledge, STRs do not qualify for the real estate professional status as they are seen as a business venture and not real estate activities (this is why it is a "loophole").

@Steve Meyers I’ve been running this with some success with a local cincinnati agent on 2+ units and nationally with a commercial broker for shopping centers.

Lastly, are your real estate investing goals centered around this endeavor or for your personal portfolio, or both?

In an accompanying video, I also pointed out that Utah had the highest population growth from new births (see the heatmap above, courtesy of Pew Research Center’s analysis of Census data).Metros along the Wasatch Front, such as Salt Lake City, UT; Provo, UT; and Ogden, UT continue to see strong job growth, low vacancy rates, and relatively high price appreciation.

Purchase price: $16,500 Cash invested: $16,500 Invested in a shopping mall - consisting of shopping, movies, game centers and food court located in the heart of the city.

@Alev G. the litmus test I use in exploring an area is incomes and population density.If the population density is too low and not somewhat close to an employment center it’s not going to be a Green light for me.  

The real goldmine, though, is calling their Call Center at 631-451-TOWN (8696).

For a shopping center, banks would require center to be atleast 50% pre-leased before they give you construction loan.

Many thanks for the warm welcome I received at the Alabama Center for Real Estate Transformative Tuesday.

I've found that the best areas for the investors I have worked with on BRRRR properties are areas like Center Point, Fultondale, Gardendale, and Pinson areas.These areas are solid and aren't in warzones like Fairfield or Tarrant but will also produce you cash flow and equity unlike cities like Hoover or Vestavia.