I have met Pharmacy techs that have spent $30K at local "technical institutes" on preparation to take an exam.  

pick your date market crash' at some point in the future, and presume the rate is 7% at that time....And let's say for arguments sake, that I'm prepared to trade my home in for a million dollar home today, with that lovely 4% rate........In the future, my buying power is reduced by that substantial raise in rate, so much so, that in order to buy that same home it would have to depreciate by 200k PLUS whatever appreciation that home receives prior to the 'pick your date market crash.'

I've been trying to hop on the real estate wagon for some time now and have been reading up to prepare myself to take the first step.I live in Carteret, NJ - roughly 30 mins (with no traffic) from NYC.

I management to find an off-market house, negotiate it below market value (in our hot market), and had it rented with $400/mo cash flow within 90 days of closing (old owners rented back for 6 weeks while they prepared to move out).  

I am about to have my taxes done and want to be prepared. 

If you are staying for a bit and are just preparing, you could refinance with as little as 5% equity with conforming.

As I am preparing to provide notices of a rent increase to multiple tenants I think I am going to approach it thus: if the tenant is on a month to month lease then they will receive a notice of rent increase with not further options of tiered pricing, etc.

An LLC might be a good option for buy and holds and other passive activities where you are not generating short term capital gains or short term income.I would recommend you consult a tax preparer and your insurance pro.  

They know their stuff & prepared you well - heed their advice on the test tips they gave.

We are preparing it for sale at the present time and brokers are telling me listing price will be $8,500,000-$9 million.