I would ask what are the supply and demand fundamentals telling you.

This is a matter for your CPA, since it contingent on your personal status, but something to consider if there is significant benefits to you, or if you will essentially be carrying over most of your losses anyways.And the most important piece that I remind myself, and Jack made clear at the end of his post: investing, to me, should be focused on the fundamentals of the investment, with the tax benefits being the icing.  

As for choosing the attorney, since I did not find any fellow investors who had any recommendations, I just did a web search, specifically looked for a local attorney specializing in real estate transactions and called around.

So far, my web of connections through various account executives has been successful and I want to be there as a reliable mortgage broker partner for people.On a personal note, my REI goals and strategies are focused on accumulating as many 2-4 units as possible through house hacking of primary financing.

And yes, these low rates permit consumer buys to pay more for their homes, but they also are indicative of poor economic fundamentals elsewhere in the market; bearing in mind that if there was economic activity to be had, businesses to be opened, etc., then people would be bidding rates higher for the purpose of borrowing money to do all of those things.The BLS table here is good, but it doesn't appear to account for the military. 

So if anyone could point me in the right direction on the web,I would greatly appreciate it. 

Also the RI Secretary of State web site and business office has been helpful in the past with questions. 

They are few and far between but if you can find someone looking to sell who isn't on MLS or has a limited presence on the web can provide great value usually.

Balancing all the numbers and doing the math can be a bit daunting for some people but the math is a fundamental component of investing in anything and without knowing it people just stumble around blind.Ultimately you have to decide what is more important to you. 

I have been looking all over the web and watching videos but the more I look the more I get flustered so I'm trying to find people I can talk to and work with personally so it would be easier to learn.thank you for any help and advice!