Qualifications are easier, your underwriter advocates for your approval, not just pushes paper...One clarification on your points above.

I am saying that when you are analyzing investments that can make you profits, or put you into bankruptcy, you will be a very lucky investor if you can find an agent or broker who will do that much work for you and one who also has the necessary qualifications and abilities.

If it's a larger organization, feel free to inquire about their different staff qualifications.2.

There are syndications that do allow a small number of unaccredited investors, but with your combine income meets the qualification of accredited investor.

My main qualification is that I want it to be within about a 2-hour drive of where I live and be trending up in terms of economic growth. 

If it's a larger organization, feel free to inquire about their different staff qualifications.2.

And be sure that you have a good local lender who will call the listing agent and talk them through your qualification.

Everyone in the country is protected by Fair Housing but that doesn't mean you have to rent to everyone.You should have a list of required qualifications for renters.

I thought there is a Start Up expense qualification which allow owner to spruce up the property before putting on market? 

I'm curious about my eligibility for real estate professional status for tax purposes, given my active involvement in the following ways:I actively manage our one STR and the two LTRs (with plans for cost segregation for all three properties).I handle property management directly, without a property manager.I have already dedicated 750 hours to real estate activities this year.I'm even open to taking the realtor exam if it aids my qualification as a real estate professional.Almost daily (and without fail on weekends), I engage in various real estate tasks: visiting our property or properties, tending to the yard, monitoring and adjusting short-term rental pricing, managing tenant and guest expectations, scheduling cleaning and maintenance, caring for the lawn, and more.My primary question is whether the activities mentioned above are sufficient to qualify me for real estate professional status, or if additional steps are required for eligibility.