However I have no better option right now than to suck it up and just take the pay check to save up for future real estate endeavors.Just curious who else is / was in a similar boat.

Hey @Jackson Neu - best of luck to you as you start your process, I'm also in a similar boat as I'm planning to branch out into flipping next year. 

Has anyone bought a lot to turn into RV/boat storage?

Man to be honest, I feel like I was in the same boat a few years ago. 

I am in the same boat and this gives me a lot to go on.  

Seeing that it’s your first property and just as a suggestion, why don’t you start with a 2 family and get your feet wet first before you go “all in” on a big project.Smaller properties tend to be easier to manage, easier to fund if they all go vacant, and if you find yourself thinking - naaa, I hate this I want a boat instead - you’ll have a broader pool of investors or house hackers that would want to buy it from you.I never thought I would like single family rentals, today I love them – 20 years ago I couldn’t understand who in their right mind would want one, I wanted bigger properties, perhaps it’s an age thing.Go to your local Rental Property Owners meetings, network and find out what the guy’s and girl’s in the trenches say about both, then keep us posted.

I'm in the same boat.

Most faculty and students are part of the church and will not tear the place up.Also nearby are the San Bernardino Mountain communities--Crestline (local County lake for non-motorized boats, recreation and swimming, forest and hiking trails such as to heart rock) , Lake Arrowhead (private lake, allows boats, -make sure the lot has lake membership, some tv stars have vacation homes around here), Running Springs (closest to Snow Valley for skiing), Big Bear (Lake and close to skiing, but more expensive property). 

I'm in the same boat as you were when you wrote this post and wondering who you went with.

I am no accountant, but the general rule of thumb for deductible travel is:1 - You’re “traveling” when you’re away overnight or long enough to need sleep.2 - “Business days” are those you spend traveling to business destinations, days where you spend the majority of working hours on your trade or business (four hours and one minute), and days where your personal presence is required at a particular place for a specific and bona fide business purpose.3 - “Business day” costs include 50% of meals plus 100% of lodging, local transportation, incidentals, and your first load of laundry and dry cleaning back home.4 - If your spouse is a bona fide employee, traveling for a bona fide business purpose, you can deduct their costs.5 - Save receipts for all lodging and for any expense over $75.6- Transportation costs include cars, planes, trains, and boats