We both run our own businesses but we feel that real estate will help make sure we both maintain our life plans of not needed to work as much any more.

This is a business.

It offers flexibility as a landlord to be able to offer more or less rooms as needed, protection to the landlord in that you can hedge with adding LTR or STR to the mix, and simplification to the business as your only dealing with one address.

You are wise to limit your scope to a particular type of company.I have been in the industry for the past two decades, and from my years in the business, I can recommend a couple of other companies outside of my family. 

Do you get any volume discounts or better service due to the volume of your business from the current providers, that might be something to consider. not sure if that is even a thing for lawyers though.

This is how I met my first clients and now a lot of my businesses is Repeat business.    

Fun business, huh? 

Weather cools, people are busy with school, resting from summer, prepping for the holidays, etc.

I could not find e1031xchange as a business entity in the State of New York (https://apps.dos.ny.gov/public...).

Colder climates see fewer moves in the winter, and things really slow down around Thanksgiving and Christmas when people are busy with the holidays and family.Second, talk to your PM.