Hi Kin,Transferring your share of the property to your brother may have tax implications, including gift tax if the transfer is considered a gift.

So many variables can turn a deal sideways from 1 hour to the next - i.e. inspection findings, title issues, contracts, financing issues, taxes, dept. of buildings/local municipalities, etc.I'm glad to hear you made it through the challenges, and it sounds like you'll be able to leverage this experience as you grow your portfolio.All the best to you along your journey!

.: In a prior post from about 2 months ago, Kerry Malarkey and Nathan Gesner mentioned a small landlord is exempt from FHA requirements requiring the acceptance of emotional support & assistance animals if one of the following is true:"Owner-occupied buildings Properties with four units or fewer that are owned and lived in by the ownerSingle-family homes Homes that are sold or rented without a broker by the owner, as long as the owner doesn't own more than three at once" (Quote from Nathan's reply))https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/1219359-pitbu...Given this, if a landlord does qualify for the exemption, what exactly does this mean? 

The taxes and insurance sound like where we are in St Augustine and NY. 

Maintain - includes taxes and insurance?

As someone mentioned, the only thing passive about real estate investing is the tax treatment. 

I recommend that you find a trusted or recommended Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO), who can give you options for property-based loans (mostly investment loans) and they don't use your taxes but the P&L of the property.

Besides lists from the tax assessor, how are you finding your deals?  

What were the prior tenants during this time using it for?

IF you need 100% financing and lets say its $200k deal, the lender will be interest only at $150k at 12% = 1500/mo + taxes. insurance etc.