Given the complexity and potential tax-saving opportunities in real estate, it's wise to consider hiring a CPA with expertise in this field.Many clients who work with non-specialists find that their non-real estate preparers lack the specific knowledge to help them minimize taxes through strategies like depreciation, the de minimis safe harbor, partial asset dispositions, 1031 exchanges, navigating real estate professional status, the short-term rental loophole, and more.If you are looking to qualify as a real estate professional, use the short-term rental strategy, or complete a 1031 exchange, I would without a doubt recommend working with a real estate CPA.

Then you can read a more in-depth book like The Book On Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner or The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing by Spencer Strauss.2.

Once I get settled, I plan to start investing in short term rentals in Auburn.

Could look at Food Truck rental spots. 

My real estate agent mentioned that might be a possibility and she has one setup for her rentals.

You must know what a good one looks like, screen until you find a good one, then supervise them to ensure they adhere to the agreement.I manage up to 400 rentals and have dealt with thousands of renters.

@Matt OwensI did a HELOC on my primary to buy a couple out of state rentals when I first started.

what it sounds like you are asking is illegal in many ways, section 8 laws, local laws, duel contract laws that conflict, there always has been also those out there looking to catch you breaking them,  avoid it, dont offer it, dont entertain it, there is leeway up if the tenant meets certain conditions, say need 1 floor rental, if not rent may be inflated over realistic market, which is what rented at not listed at, keeping in mind sec 8 market rents also include utilities paid, you can usually reach by email fastest, they have set chart, heat type, neighborhood etc, more than listings found online

This is what I would do if starting out in real estate and wanted to buy my own home and start getting rental income and experience.

Usually the depreciation is enough to shelter your income so that you pay little to no tax, at least on a new long term rental.