Whether that's through the application/leasing process to communicating with owners and vendors in a timely manner to address anything related to the property. 

I have a relative who owns and lives in a dome and she really loves it.

I'd like to take a deeper dive into subject to, wraps and other related things to educate myself and see whether some of these might be things I can actually utilize in my real estate journey. 

Managing a rental yourself can be time-consuming, especially if you're handling maintenance, tenant relations, and lease enforcement. 

If she lives rent-free, you retain control of the property but lose the ability to claim rental-related deductions.For long-term planning, consult a CPA and attorney to ensure compliance with tax rules and align ownership structure with your goals, including potential conversion to a rental or estate planning considerations.

This travel expense is not a business expense related to the property you already own until you have identified the next property you want to buy (once identified, costs are added to the basis mentioned above).

I'm a guy approaching middle-age, living in Chicago.

So honestly,  we have a lot to learn about RE and everything Tax related for it.

It appears to be a means to an end and the path of least resistance (somewhat related to number 1).

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.