I paid a local tow truck driver $100 to stop in front of their trailer with his truck and start measuring his trailer while they were at home watching and then knock on the door and ask if tongue and axles were under the trailer.  

I had a super traditional W2 job and, BECAUSE OF BIGGERPOCKETS, made the transition from W2 -> into a non-traditional start-up prop-tech company (fired twice in one month)-> Then, I started our own tech-focused general contracting business serving new to intermediate real estate investors.I've more or less retired as a real estate investor (I still have about 50+ doors, but nearly every one of my deals went sideways for one reason or another), and NOW my ONE THING is working as a GC. 

., structuring it as an installment plan if needed).If you can’t find an individual investor, you might look for a property management company or real estate investor group that specializes in STRs.

We're thinking about starting our out-of-state investment journey from there.

Using an MTR strategy will allow an earlier chance to start.2.

There are many who are just getting started that think, "well this is easy" and homes always appreciate 10% per year etc. and I will be a millionaire in five years. 

A great place to get started would be checking out the local REIA.

The company that serves and blessed me over and over again is what you would call a Tax Advisor, not simply a CPA or tax preparer. 

It’s just  that I have no accounting experience and I created my own spreadsheets when I started this (I created and know my own system, not this one).

If you brought your spouse and 2 kids with you, and you could argue all of your argue of your time on the trip was looking at real estate, and your personal business and activity circumstance defends being able to immediately deduct it and not treat it as a start up cost... likely 75% of much of the travel costs (airfare, food, etc) would be non-deductible.