Hello, passive income!

In other words I'm sure that within a year he'll be at least matching this income and still be getting the severance.If a regular mortgage is out of the question I'm thinking of other options and would love to some the BP-folk advice.1.

Do you want to be an active investor and make real estate a full-time career, or a passive investor who receives passive income?

It’s imperative to build an increasing percentage of your bookings from direct sources and be able to offer and fill up days at 20-30% less than Airbnb costs without affecting net income. 

I owned and lived in duplexes and triplexes where I lived in part and rented out part.On the incomes taxes, the owner occupied part is not included in the schedule E.

The information I am looking for would be the standard points an investor might want to know, including average home prices, median income, crime rates, real estate forecasts etc. 

Generally, if you are out of a job, buying anything is not a good idea until you have that secured so you aren't burning income into a fire.

If you are already receiving an income and don’t need monthly cash flow you may prefer all the appreciation at the end.

It's interesting that many of these VC-backed PMC's, despite having 10k+ properties under management, aren't doing well financially - one of them just merged with another industry-related company also not doing well.Just for fun, here's a partial list of PMC expenses that owners pretend don't exist:Office rentComputers, printers & softwareInternet & phone billOffice furnitureOffice supplies: paper, postage, ink, etc.Office liability insuranceAuto expenses: monthly payment, insurance, gas, maintenance, registration/plate feesBroker license fees: annual, monthly board & MLS fees, continuing education fees, E&O insuranceEquipment: lockboxes, signs, etc.Business income tax preparation and paymentsStaff payroll & payroll taxes Time Tasks: answering phones, calling past due tenants, scheduling tours, taking marketing pics, processing those pics, writing ads, researching rent amounts, posting ads, explaining to owners how rent determined & showing where ad posted, opening & processing mail, posting payments, bank deposits, scanning documents & posting to owner & tenant portals, explaining accounting to owners so they understand their monthly statements, taking pics/videos of repairs, finding reputable handymen and contractors, confirming they're properly licensed & insured and tracking annually, verifying repairs done properly, processing invoices for utility bills, repairs, taxes, city inspections, scheduling periodic property evaluations/inspections with tenants that don't want strangers in their homes, explaining to owners why something is taking so long, and more & more & more...OBSERVATION: many owners only want to pay a flat fee or 50% of a month of rent as a leasing fee - without realizing the repercussions. 

So, it will reduce your net income and therefore your taxable income.