I have a 100 unit portfolio based in Louisville and Lexington KY mixed between SFH, and 4-8 unit apts.Biggest help for me was their ability to insure closer to the purchase price instead of replacement cost. the team is great and I’ve been happy with the claims process. 

Although he is a banker, he thinks having the ability to operate as a broker and place loans with 30+ other lenders, in addition to his bank, is the "best setup."

Lates on a mortgage trade can impact your ability to get loans in the future. 

Find Brandon's videos on YouTube for the "four square" method of analyzing homes and practice.

I will not comment as to the tax laws and underlying rules - that is a discussion you can have with your tax advisor who presumably you are paying to help you.What I will do is provide practical and business guidance on tracking time.Firstly, there are apps available that can assist with time tracking where you can specifically detail your time, who you met with, etc.

A person who has spent his 2000 to 4000 minimum CPA practice hours doing foreign currency conversions at Deloitte for a Belgian energy company may not know the first thing about real estate or anything else.

Cashflow, ability to build a team, landlord tenant laws, price to rent ratio etc.......were all factors in the decision making process almost a decade ago.Now,  I wonder why your approach is an either or view? 

And the really messed up ones, they don't even give a landlord an option, per fine print in contract, they just go out and do whatever and send a bill after the fact. 

They will likely have the ability to generate them.Disclaimer: While I’m a licensed attorney, I’m not your attorney.

And of course it goes without saying that any deal of this kind would involve an experienced real estate attorney--especially one that is "great" 😉Thank you for the insight, which is both practical and encouraging!