Especially real-estate software ideas that uses AI.Please share in detail.

In my opinion, the best thing you can do when building any business (including a real estate portfolio) is learn how to work ON your business, not IN your business. 

The personal relationship tends to mix with the business relationship and this often leads to issues.

If you have family there and may return to live there down the road (or will have a better idea after 2-3 years), then rent it. 

And I may be able to get higher line on business. 

It's also a good idea to compare insurance quotes and check local tax rates as they can impact your cash flow.

Anyone looking to connect, chat, and see how we can help each other's business i'd love to meet up!

In other words, how would I calculate the return (from a purely financial standpoint) of "investing" in a primary residence vs renting and putting the money elsewhere (perhaps even into an investment property, but also considering buying a business)? 

There are stories everyday now how people who used to make 50-80k working for someone else started their own business and are making 400K a year.

So if you stop listing with them and do not turn that off, you'll get billed another year and they won't refund you.Use that for what you will, but I feel it's a reflection on their business ethics.