There are several different types of income in the US tax code.Two main types are “active income” and “passive income".Active income is money you earn from working, such as wages from a W-2 job or income from running a business.Passive income is money you earn from investments like real estate, stocks, or rental income from your RE portfolio where you earn $ without actively working.Normally, you can't use passive losses (like losses from real estate investments) to offset active income like your salary from a W-2 job.That is unless you are an RE Pro.The reality is, that Real Estate Pro status is just a filing status similar to filing married or jointly.And if you are a real estate professional you CAN use passive real estate losses to offset active income from other sources.To qualify as an RE Pro you must:1.

Section 8 could also work as a hybrid strategy here; the stable income is nice, and with good property management, it’s pretty hands-off.

@Ryan VienneauAre they able to set-up your credit cards as additional "accounts payable"?    

Here are additional comments:1) Buying out of state removes any local knowledge you have from assisting in your success, including knowing areas, people and costs. - We always recommend buying your first rental locally if possible and DIY managing to learn as much as possible before investing OOS.2) Lots of crooks and incompetents in the PMC world:( They both cost you money.- As already stated, you'll have a small portfolio.

Additionally, your brother would inherit your cost basis in the property, which could result in significant capital gains tax if he sells the property later.

Additionally house tenants bring more of their own appliance, like refrigerator, washer and dryer; which means tenants are responsible for repair and replacement of their own appliances. 

Personally I never listen to what the seller states the income is as they are sometimes way off.

IMO this is much too little additional return to put your personal residence at risk.  

Corporate Income Tax are 24%, however banks and insurances companies are higher with an additional 3.5% Mortgage in ItalyIt's also important to note that there are no Mortgage companies here, everything is done with 1 of the very few banks here.

Gross income right now is 2700.