That's where many cut their teeth in the business. 

I wouldn't waste your time with that on Zillow.

Congrats on having the cajones to cut the chord.  

On a 2M property you should be able to write off roughly 300-400k, so that would cut your real estate income down for years, but not your W2, because I don't think you would be able to claim RE professional status. 750 hrs and min 50% of your time.

I cut off PMs that constantly try to find ways to add revenues by what I call trickery; selling some 3rd party service that they have contracted to all their clients, recommending small fixes turn into large one's,etc, make it difficult to get 2nd opinions. 

And you're totally right, housing issues cut across political and other lines.

One of my bizz partners sold his garbage company to waste management for 75 mil his balance sheet is a crack up.. house in Napa valley house one in Lake tahoe hunting ranch some commercial in downtown Napa. and a big huge wad in triple net munis  and zero debt.

Hire a licensed and insured electrician there are codes that are in place to protect people and property it is a safety risk that you should not cut corners to save a few dollars on.

US unemployment near all time lows and GDP stable so that means FED FUNDS rate is not constrictive so they may not need to cut rates for years, and US GVT spending quite a bit more than willing to tax, so long bong Issuance going up (2 trillion issuance projected this year) so more supply = rates go up =CAP rates go upCapital Calls seem very likely Even if rates drop, those occupancy levels are awful.

Some old school sellers, like many in here have said, don't even want to waste time waiting for a mortgage and buyers who traditionally get cold feet right after inspection with a big loan.