While my local marketplace is the Greater Hartford region, I serve clients all over CT. 

BP has done such a great job of promoting SFR investing to the masses, that those masses have pushed up real estate prices to where it's now DIFFICULT to cashflow right away.Keep going, but understand you won't get rich in real estate overnight - it's a long-term wealth building strategy.For the short-term, recommend joining a few in-person investor meetings if possible, otherwise online ones.

A 1031 exchange doesn’t apply, but funding through a self-directed IRA can defer taxes, though profits from debt financing may trigger UBIT.To reduce taxes, consider forming an LLC for better expense deductions, offsetting gains with investment losses, or holding the property for 12+ months to qualify for lower long-term capital gains rates.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

Particularly looking for an investor friendly agent able to take on house hacking clients in NYC and LI

We've also advised this method to our investor clients that borrow from us.

A client of mine in Maryland added smart home features to their rentals and boosted rents by 12% with minimal investment.

Until that started getting difficult.

Assuming you are both working and the rentals are long-term, rental losses up to $25,000 can offset W-2 income if your MAGI is under $150,000, with excess losses carried forward.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

In all honesty, it will be difficult to collect anything from the tenant after they move out and you cannot force them to stay.

Your brokerage is required to supervise you, and maintain all records of the transaction, just like any other client.