Also, consider that when you do employ a property manager they do not shield you from vicarious liability. 

@James Hamling The owner of Twin Cities Leasing gained his experience working at your employer many years ago.

Major employers like NASA and Redstone Arsenal make Huntsville a stable market for real estate investment.Housing Market:Home prices in Huntsville have been steadily increasing, yet remain affordable compared to national averages.

If they pay a tenant portion, I verify employment, hours, and wage, or if it's benefits, be sure you have documentation.

If you are self-employed, there are specific loan programs designed for self-employed persons as opposed to conventional W-2 financing. 

*Lake Anna, Reston Virginia*Originating in 1990, The Reston Town Center is a major employment and entertainment hub in the area, with companies such as Google, Leidos, Facebook, Microsoft, General Dynamics, and Fannie Mae, to name a few, more than 50 retailers, including an 11 screen LOOK Dine-In Cinema, CitySwing (Golf Simulator), a seasonal ice rink, many well-renowned restaurants and bars, and other highly attractive amenities such as a full service 243 bed hospital, a new metro, and the Dulles International Airport that is receiving $700 million renovations by 2026*Reston Town Center*Source: Rediscovering Reston-- the First Planned Community in the USSource: Washington Dulles International Airport to Expand Passenger and Cargo OperationsOne of the biggest points of discussion over the last few years has been around the office market, and how the rising office vacancies due to the shift towards a work-from-home and hybrid work schedule have pushed many companies to downsize or relocate out of previously major employment centers.

How long will he be employed if he is on podcasts presenting data about how much Airbnb is hurting communities and the housing market.That being said, I think Airbnb, like corporate landlords, are easy targets to blame, even though they certainly add to the problem, but are not the problem.  

@Jennifer TaylorYou can create a new LLC, a new IRS Employer Identification Number and open a new bank account just for the cottage.

I'd also love to hear about your journey in real estate and how you got started.To be clear, I’m not seeking funding, employment, or any commitments from you.

Your non-passive income is subject to Self Employment (SE) tax and passive income is not.