While they offer great general advice, they can't speak to our market, or the potential of a property located in Scottsdale can provide if held. 

The main thing is to stick with great location and premium properties.

States which DO NOT require licensing for originating or negotiating a loan secured by commercial real estate nor a loan secured by non owner occupied residential real estateALASKA ARKANSAS COLORADO CONNECTICUT DCDELAWARE FLORIDA GEORGIAHAWAIIIOWAINDIANAKANSAS KENTUCKY INDIANAKANSAS LOUISIANAMASSMARYLAND MAINEMISSOURI MISSISSIPPI MONTANANORTH CAROLINA NEBRASKANEW HAMPSHIRE NEW MEXICO OHIOOKLAHOMA PENNSYLVANIA RHODE ISLAND SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE TEXAS WASHINGTON WISCONSINWEST VIRGINIAStates which DO NOT require licensing for originating or negotiating a loan secured by commercial real estate but DO require licensing for a loan secured by non owner occupied residential real estateIDAHO MINNESOTA OREGON UTAH VIRGINIA States that DO require licensing for both residential and commercial real estate loan origination and brokeringARIZONACALIFORNIAILLINOIS MICHIGANNEW YORK NORTH DAKOTA NEW JERSEY NEVADASOUTH DAKOTA Good list Don.One thing I notice is so many lenders say they are located in Las Vegas.

Idk if I like this tertiary of a location way outside of DFW.

I didn’t see your location in your profile or your post, but assume at least 17% state/federal taxes leaves you with $10k/yr. 

@Ofir R.Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

You'd want either an LLC in the state where the real estate is located or you can also just put it in your name and take out a good landlord's policy from Farmers, Erie, etc. which will protect your investment just fine. 

The home is in a great location in Big Bear Lake, CA close to the Village and Ski Slopes.I have an array of emotions being scared of failung and excited all at the same time.

While there are some markets I feel are so saturated it is near impossible to be successful in todays market (Orlando), in most competitive markets you can be successful if a) have reasonable expectations and b) do everything right (price, location, pro design, pro photos, etc etc). 

Where are your properties located?