For short-term rentals (STR), your household needs to meet material participation rules and both of your hours counts towards the MP hours.

For some context I'm hoping to invest immediately when I begin working (1 year from now), and am alright with moving whenever there is a better opportunity for my job/RE investing.Can always count on the BP community to give great advice, so I'm looking forward to everyone's perspectives on a slightly large life decision of mine!

Retirement accounts don't count towards liquidity, nor do non-liquid investments like VC, etc. 

Section 8 typically has a cap on the rent rate, dependent on bedroom counts.

They list the rents based on bedroom count on their website3- This depends on the housing authority.

We haven't really had any problems managing a property, unless you count cleaner issues, etc. as part of it. 

Similarly, Houston has published statistics to highlight concerns with STRs: the city counts 10,545 short-term rentals and has logged 7,789 non-emergency 311 calls along with 61,167 emergency 911 calls within 300 feet of these properties from June 2023 to June 2024.

I have my rent average at 875 not counting the section 8 tenant I have which pays me 1270 a month.

Personally I would probably just multiple by 0.005 if you're gonna use this as I feel like Zillow always estimates low.But I personally use instant Steadily Insurance estimates inside BrightInvestor - those do vary their estimate by location, unit count, stories, year built, etc.

In your example you’re paying 89% of ARV (Price + rehab) before counting any holding costs.