I'm from Cincinnati and we make several trips a year down there and we normally stay at a B&B, but would love to use a VRBO / AirBNB. 

Otherwise, it is mighty dangerous, because everyone wants to be in expert in health, law and taxes, based on their extensive Facebook studies.Your friend has (correctly) heard that the new tax law allows Section 179 for rental properties.

Yes, thank you, I was doing several deals and added these unnecessarily. 3.

Hello Lu,I have several clients who live in CA and have the same issue. 

I've heard it mentioned several times in the podcasts, but they either didn't get into specifics, or I didn't take good notes. 

My partners and I have 75 units in Birmingham and several single family properties in the Huntsville MSA.

I have worked on several multi family deals in Davidson county, and they can be a challenge to find. 

Anyway, several administrative things you can do (no particular order):Send appraiser before pics Provide rehab list of work doneRun your own comps and let the appraiser know where you think the value should beBe present for appraisal and show work doneGet house professionally cleaned (someone who does this for a living, not tenants). 

We are going to be meeting with several agents while we are in town.

But if you'll be living there several years, it could a great thing.Just be sure that you can afford the mortgage on your own even if you have no tenants.