For example, the turnover rate on Realtors is like 88% a year or something like that.

Given the fact that if  there is a gain a future year the prior year loss can offset it, it seems that one would want to file the loss so they can offset that gain.

Have you considered going to BPCON in October this year?

it's true the SFH or small multifamily rentals barely will pencil anywhere these days for a couple of years now even though it's the best way to really learn RE investing as a beginner. 

Still, I think you'd find it difficult to find one that would be a good long-term investment unless you had another ~20-30 years to go, it's at least cash neutral, and you don't plan to hold it too long (to avoid too much investment loss and before you get to the point where it's unsellable because of too few years left); that's another way of saying that maybe it suits your cash needs in the near-term or is at least less of a pill to swallow than other options until you find something that's more of a sensible long-term play

I am primarily focused on appreciation, but would like some cashflow to keep the investment profitable year-to-year.

But consider this: if your time is worth $100/hour and you spend 40 hours a year on tasks you could outsource for $25/hour, you’re effectively losing $3,000 of potential value each year. 

That said, it's nearly impossible to find a decent option under $300k in those locations.If you have an apetite for rolling the dice and saying "I'm so glad I bought this ten years ago!"

Quote from @Gregory Schwartz: A local agent recently got sued for calling an old client who was on the Do Not Call list.

My family has had rentals almost 50 years.