In what ways do contractors take advantage of new investors wholesaling or flipping and how can we avoid this treatment?

I think I saw a list online somewhere of the different states and their treatment of owner occupants vs investors.

Get an LLC and decide if you want to elect S Corp treatment for it.

The new paid per booking ads will receive some preferential treatment due to more revenue going to HA as well some it is more important than ever to build an optimized ad if you are looking to keep a larger portion of the revenue. 

The California Franchise Tax Board ("FTB") has ruled that certain types of installment sale transactions that have been "structured" or "drafted" pursuant to Section 453 of the Internal Revenue Code ("Code") and have been promoted and used to "save" failed 1031 Exchange transactions will not qualify for tax-deferred treatment in California when used in this manner.California FTB is Aware of Certain Installment ArrangementsThe FTB is aware of certain arrangements in which a 1031 Exchange investor and/or Qualified Intermediary attempt to convert proceeds from the sale of the investor's relinquished property that is part of a failed 1031 Exchange, or any unused proceeds from a partial 1031 Exchange, into an installment arrangement such as an installment note or other similar arrangement in which payments are to be paid out over two or more years.It was made clear by the FTB that these arrangements do not qualify for a deferral of gain recognition under Sections 453 or 1031 of the Code since, among other reasons, these sections and the federal doctrine of constructive receipt do not support such a deferral of gain recognition.These tax-deferred installment sale transaction structures have been promoted under various names over the years, including Private Annuity Trusts, Deferred Sales Trusts, Monetized Installment Sales, Self-Directed Installment Notes, among others.Qualified Intermediaries Put On Notice1031 Exchange Qualified Intermediaries must withhold and remit certain amounts to the California FTB when a 1031 Exchange either fully or partially fails.

Politicians have far less power to demand favors in exchange for favorable tax treatment. ..

My mom has just been diagnosed with ovarian cancer so I will need to visit her in Seattle (perhaps indefinately to help her) even though I was hoping to invest in Florida.

LED lights and blinds are options (although I believe some states may require window treatments in place), and not sure about "rust" on cabinets but that sounds like it must be addressed as well.      

That said, there are still an unbelievable number of checks that come in that have to be hand processed and posted.Asking for a special treatment of holding this in case of that and then figuring out which check to deposit.... yeah. 

Other than that a few treatments pest treatments and we will put it on the market for 1100 a unit.