Your biggest challanges:1) Figuring out how to advertise on Zillow2) Handling all the calls3) Scheduling showings - and getting stood up4) Finding a rental application to use - you can use Zillow's or easily Google for one.5) Figuring out how to screen applicants ***** This is IMPORTANT!

Here's a list of things to track:- Formal lease application- Formal signed and executed lease specific to your state- Payment history (I recommend using online rent collection like Apartments.com, RentRedi, etc)- Maintenance requests and receipts- Accounting for all rental-related expenses (repairs, utilities, etc) The more you treat it like a business, the more helpful you are to your CPA come tax time. 

Choose the Right LocationProximity to Campus: Prioritize properties within walking or biking distance to minimize transportation costs.Safety and Security: Research neighborhood crime rates and local security measures.Access to Amenities: Look for nearby grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and entertainment options.3.

We accept all applications and in the case of section 8 the only real time we don’t is if the numbers don’t make sense with market rent vs HUD standard.  

Find their marketing name and last I checked they were in the large stores in the U.S.  3.  

We use efroms.com for our rental application.

Not sure how many PMCs you've had bad experiences with, but we'll take exception to:"Then do a thorough research on tenant applicants (note: leaving this to a PM may be hazardous to your financial health)".BP seems to have more threads about screening mistakes by DIY landlords as opposed to PMCs.Now, if you'd have mentioned Maintenance, you'd get no argument from me:) Even the PMC industry acknowledges maintenance as one of the biggest challenges.Rereading my post, I kinda see how I sounded negative toward PMs.  

Capital gains are calculated as:Sale Price - (Original Purchase Price + Capital Improvements + Selling Costs) - depreciation (if applicable) = Capital GainYour mortgage or HELOC balance does not affect this calculation—it only determines how much cash you take home after the sale.In Massachusetts, if the home was your primary residence for at least 2 out of the last 5 years, you may qualify for the Section 121 Exclusion, allowing you to exclude up to $250,000 (single) or $500,000 (married filing jointly) of the gain from federal capital gains tax.

Again, the BiggerPockets store has some books on this topic, or you can learn about it by watching podcasts, reading blogs, and interacting on the forum.

While at an ATT store and noticed the APP is currently available on Android.