If so then you should have a serious conversation with your cpa to figure out the tax benefits of pursuing one strategy over another?  

Green, we’ve had this conversation before.

If we can have a productive conversation- please do respond - otherwise I’m ok to find others who can help.  

Now if you want to quit your full-time job and do this full-time, that's different conversation.

I’ve noticed that my confidence grows with every conversation I have with experienced real estate investors, and even more so each time I take a concrete step forward.I'm a strong advocate for personal growth and development, and it's great to see that you also view it as essential to success in investing.

I would say the forums can sometimes have good conversations about localities but finding info for a very specific need in a very specific town is going to be harder and not garner quite as many responses.

Quote from @Kristin Solbach: Thanks to everyone that joined the conversation... ahhh, as always lots of conflicting information but that was to be expected. 

For example, I'm with a local (not local to you) American Legion that is always open to conversations.

I would add that when Ive come across this situation (my tenant's excuse was "I have a cat i dont want it to get out") I've had a very frank conversation with them.

The forums have some information, but the bigger value is in their various member meetups, since it seems the forums are not "super" active with sponsor conversations.