Manual spreadsheet is also okay especially if have bookkeeping help from platforms like upwork.Similar experience and went with Digb instead of Quickbooks because it's easier to manage multiple properties and I'm not an accountants so I don't want to have to setup my own chart of accounts, etc.

I am a tax professional so I have always used QuickBooks Online as it’s relatively easy to navigate and you can set up classes for each property, customize the chart of accounts, and link bank accounts.  

I live in rural AZ- Safford to be precise so there aren't many options here, but my sister and I have looked and found a couple of options that we're looking into. 

I just recently got laid off and I'm getting tired of the cycle and would love chart my own course. 

The IRS is nothing if not precise.

Last try on giving you the chart!

Create a chart where earned active income slowly converts over to real estate income over years and decades.

I've read some real estate laws but the way they word them makes it almost impossible to be completely precise.2.

And since you brought up my state, I will point out to you that WSDL will on Jan 22nd no longer be acceptable photo ID to homeland security for accessing airports, that shows you how useful it will be, precisely because illegal immigrants can get it issued to them.  

You need to get an idea of what your goals are within real estate before you can start charting a good course for yourself.