You need properties to do that. 

Do you think it's a good time to buy given all the regional changes Dubai is going through?

🔒Let's break this down:Under IRC §469, rental real estate activities are considered "passive" by default.

We’ve loved it so far.

Once you do this conversion you can't change it back to a traditional long-term rental. 

My current agent suggested if it made sense financially, to do some rehab work to get the properties rent-ready, but I do not have the liquid funds to do so and sell these as-is.

It's that simple.Doesn't hurt to have real hardwood floors and A/C as well.

Do you think purchasing a property in Philadelphia, PA, and managing it remotely from Westchester, NY (Roughly 2-2.5 hours away) with the help of a local handyman would be too much of a stretch?

Hellen, do you mean you want your Realtor to market in other states for your listing in SWFL? 

This might sound rude (it isn't meant to be), but it makes no difference to me whether someone decides to do it or not.