He's open to it, but warned that it almost guarantees an audit and requires added 'precision' on our part -- which could mean IRS headaches if we ACCIDENTALLY/UNKNOWINGLY did something out of bounds or didn't document something correctly, etc.My conclusion is if you're doing 'simple' SFHs, and/or you're not an LLC, or anything 'special' a CPA who specializes in Taxes and REI work would do the job, an EA who's good with REI would likely be better; but, if you want to do anything unique/creative, or outside the box or also wish to then have the business succession planning or have kids and want to have the business continue should anything happen to you...and all that added planning, maybe a tax lawyer would be best, or a Tax Layer who works closely with the CPA/EA...make sense?

I live in Chattanooga (East Ridge to be more precise).

One concern I have is that I would like to have more opportunities to look at homes in person and not just crunching the calculations from afar; to get more precise values/estimations and to see how the property looks overall.

That is precisely why folks would pay $1300 for rent.

Ask if your friend of a friend still has the loan documentation so you can see the precise terms.Andy

The sod basically created a 2 inch lip that would hold water in precisely the wrong area. 

I'm an active investor in Los Angeles and I'm currently negotiating a deal in your neck of the woods, precisely in Springville, CA.

I'm going to have a look at all of these things to learn precisely what they are all about, particularly the distinction between different roofing options.  

David Jenkins Yes that is precisely it, NOI divided by property value, or even sales price if you are comparing properties to one another.

What you mentioned as your strategy is precisely what I've been doing in the market.