My focus has been taking abandoned properties and renovating to rentals, both short and long term.

The short version: save money while educating yourself on how to invest in real estate wisely, buy an investment property, learn how to manage it well while educating yourself on how to manage it better, save money . . . rinse and repeat.You don't mention where you are (education, income, experience, etc.) or where you want to go, so I can't tell you how to get there.

You're going to have to scrap like crazy to break even - think rent by the room, short term, mid term strategies that require more work.

TECHNICALLY, this falls within the long-term laws because there are only 2 categories - long-term or short-term.

I have a couple of investments and am about to jump into a Short term rental while still being a w-2 employee.

Quote from @Hansen Tong: Hi Everyone looking for a CPA in CA that understands cost segregation, offsetting of w2 income through active short term rental partcipation etc. 

One key he found was mixing a welcoming atmosphere with firm guidelines.. it typically falls under standard tenant landlord laws for eviction.. so you’ll want to double-check local regulations.You mentioned Furnished Finders and Padslipt.com.. from what I’ve heard, those can be great if you’re targeting traveling professionals or short term visitors.

These type living arrangements are primarily short term until user circumstances change

Shortly after they all became vacant, I had to do the renovation work myself because of the lack of cash flow, and it took years to dig myself out of that hole.

@Chris SeveneyI think those that took short term debt, trying to extend their terms, and now that the 10 yr has shot up, it's gonna be very interesting.