You can't meet with buyers or sellers to review contracts, answer questions, or even shake hands.Any intelligent buyer/seller will look for an agent with experience.

I think there are some tax benefits that outway the small negative cash flow that you're currently experiencing. 

Networking with experienced investors, running the numbers carefully, and focusing on solid markets have worked well for many.

In high-cost markets like Chicago, that can be tough to meet.If you're looking at a duplex, the self-sufficiency test doesn’t apply, so you’d just need to qualify based on your personal income and the rental income your lender allows.If your current lender isn’t familiar with making FHA work in your situation, it might be worth getting a second opinion from someone experienced with FHA multi-unit financing.

Here are some questions that I would typically ask a CPA:Are you experienced in working with my industry?

Go to Etsy and search for "rental property tracker," and you will find hundreds of nice spreadsheets to track 10-20 rentals, usually for under $10.Software has extremely helpful features like online payments, marketing syndication (click a button, and your property is advertised on multiple sites), electronic document review/signing, maintenance tracking, and owner reports.

Also, connecting with experienced agents can be a great way to learn the ropes!

DIY tax software like TurboTax may not handle nominee interest, depreciation, or LLC structuring correctly, so working with a real estate CPA experienced in sub-to deals is recommended.

I would use an experienced broker who can shop around and help you compare best terms on a National basis.

These areas are experiencing significant development and population growth, driven by families and professionals seeking more affordable housing while staying close to the job hubs in Plano, Frisco, and even parts of North Dallas.