It’s essential to recognize that all investments carry assumptions and risks, but informed decisions are based on historical data and trends.

Accounting firms typically have nothing to do with this process unless somehow the title company subcontracted the preparation of the 8288 to them (which really isn’t necessary as it doesn’t require tax expertise, only familiarity with the FIRPTA procedures in general, which any title co who’s worked with a sale by a foreign person would likely know).This is indeed a weird situation and it definitely is unsupported by any authority in the code and regulations to send the withholding tax amount to an accounting firm acting as a middle man for the IRS unless they somehow expressly made an agreement to do so.Good luck with that

Hey Alison - You don't typically need proof of income for a fix and flip loan, they are more asset-based.

If you have any thoughts of self-managing a growing portfolio of rentals then this could be a good opportunity to grow your knowledge-base from first hand experience.- Work with the best PM company you possibly can for the units you don't live in and compare the units of work involved in your management of the professionally managed units vs your self-managed units. 

Im happy to share any info I have based on my personal expierences along with my referl network.

You are obligated to provide the oldest verifiable operating statement (base year), which is adjusted into today's dollars (Using an LA City formula for inflation) and this is compared to your current year (yes with receipts, cancelled checks, bank statements, k1's etc), which can be significant. 

A 1031 exchange can be a good option because although there is no cash involved in the deal, you would still recognize a gain based on the fair market value of the properties being received over the basis of the property you're giving up (if it's a gain).

This will help guide you to the best cities based on your expectations.

Your loan amount will be based on the lower of the purchase price and appraised value. 

Running your numbers based off a short term rental or medium term rental rate is going to get you in trouble.