When I look at the equity and the 15% Capital gains tax bracket I would likely be in, I would avoid ~$24,000 in taxes if sold before Aug. 2025.- I am aware of my 1031 options should I want to sell and defer taxes beyond that 3-year date (and would need to continue to do so until death if I wanted to avoid those taxes instead of just defer them). - I believe the current rental situation I have is better than the property warrants.

Too risky for us.Regarding additional guest packages, you can easily change your tax situation by offering what the IRS calls "significant services".

Meanwhile, your expenses, like debt service, taxes, insurance, and maintenance, continue.These are the requirements necessary to attain and maintain financial independence.

Adding the ex to the title could trigger gift tax implications, so keeping it simple is best.

Prioritize quality locations.Keep healthy amount of reserves per property, hire a PM, and hire a tax friendly CPA(not planning just prep). 

So if you buy a 5 bedroom house and rent the spare 4 bedrooms = you can still sell tax-free under the 121 (you just pay back depreciation) If you buy a duplex and rent 1/2 and live in 1/2.

Tax impact, cash flow, leveraging, etc.  

We now live in Arizona and I frequently fly back to the southeast to repair or inspect the properties and already deduct the travel, lodging, and half of the meal expenses from my taxes. 

Typically the excuses that are given are the same, 1) Property Tax Increases 2) Insurance Premium Increases 3) Adverse local market conditions.

Cash flow is definitely the biggest challenge; both in terms of finding properties to buy that cash flow with a loan on them and just company wide given interest rates and labor/material is up and, at least where I'm at in Jackson County, MO, taxes are way up too.