I'm primarily looking to get the startup cash in place to set up all of the back end, do marketing (FB, signage, websites, etc.), and have cash for earnest money to tie up wholesale deals.

You also consolidate maintenance and repairs, bill paying, payroll etc.One other advantage is an ability to generate "active" income via the PM company and create retirement plans, benefits, SS credits etc.

My goal would be to build a portfolio of homes that will generate monthly cash flow.

Do you feel comfortable taking attractive photos of your house, posting everywhere (Zillow, hotpads, craigslist, Facebook, local community websites), fielding calls including scammers and people who will never qualify, and talking up how awesome your house is?

I'll start with a few, in the Pa market where we are currently flipping, we use, the MLS, auction websites, and a wholesaler.In NY where we sell real estate we use direct mail, other realtors, and networking.

@Chris M.The only way to reduce your "tax hit" is to either make less money or somehow generate deductions. 

You can go to AREC (Alabama Real Estate Commission) website to get some options of approved courses.

https://www.hrblock.com/tax-software/ is the website that describes the difference between basic and premium.It mentions Premium has the following that Basic does notReporting assistance on income from investments, stock options, home sales and retirementGuidance on maximizing mortgage interest and real estate tax deductionsOne personal state program download included — a $39.95 value.

Otherwise, check out some of the lead gen websites like angieslist, thumbtack, porch.com.

https://www.canlii.org/en/on/onltb/Along with learning the RTA and visiting the LTB web site spend a few hours reading up on past LTB cases to get a better picture of the potential nightmare of being a Landlord in Ontario.