This can create deprecation needed to offset these gains, and we don't need to qualify for real estate professional to take advantage of it in this case here. 

I would have to have a walk through with a professional to give me an appropriate estimate. 

Were the installers skilled and professional?

Pay attention to how professional and transparent they are.Avoid Pressure Tactics: Scammers often pressure you to act quickly.

Can this person now be "a real estate" professional? 

Having reasonable expectations, hiring a local professional (Realtor or PM), doing your research, and doing everything right (i.e. pro photos, professional design, good renovation, proper amenities and location, etc) are the keys to success in 2025.

I was advised today by a retired real estate professional, who is licensed, that if you offer an application to someone for a loan, you must be licenesed by the DRE.

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.

But be prepared because you are probably dealing with a professional tenant.

I'm not as good a professional but the work I did was mostly good enough for us to live in, and the small fixes to make it good enough for renters has been worth trying to do it myself.