We been together 20yrs strong. 

Not just what is written, but how things work in….practice.Natalie wrote: “I still think it's blindly optimistic that the IRS would qualify someone owning 1 rental as a business”“Blindly optimistic” …. needlessly strong words that reflect on my credibility…..or yours.

Just food for thought, I'm a relative newbie compared to many experts here so feel free to agree/disagree strongly.

The city is vibrant with good job growth, and there is a strong rental market and short-term airbnb does well there, and lots of smaller multi-families with good bones.

@Anne @Anne Smith California has very strong tenant laws making it difficult to evict tenants.

Some people love managing their properties and do so happily, but if that decision is not motivated by a strong desire to learn by doing, you may find your stamina waning sooner than you think, so just be honest with yourself.Going OOS can be done a couple ways, as mentioned by other commenters.

I do still think that Texas and Florida for example have room to grow because of the strong population and jog growth. would it become another LA.

@Gabriel Credit If you really want to develop a strong and loyal client base, you need to bring real value to the client. 

Further, I would strongly encourage you to build a relationship with this older man.

Areas up near Ogden and Hill Air Force base always seem to have a fairly strong rental market, but I don't know where you should and shouldn't be.