You'll find that rental property investing isn't scary at all and a great property manager can actually save you more money than they will cost!

What I see most often is property managers get paid a % of the rental revenue.  

Pending property prices in your market perhaps $25,000 is enough to buy a small rental house.

A rental in SD 1 (A -C rating) will always have higher demand (and usually higher rent) than the rental down the street in SD 2 (D - F).

Especially on the rental side where prospective tenants may not care because they aren't living there long term.I live near a freeway where sometimes you hear it. 

., if the business is not a "rental" business per tax code, we count that income as non-passive and offset other income (W2, etc) similarly.Does anybody else have some guidance (or opinions) on this matter?

I created an electronic google doc time tracker: Time LogContemporaneous time log of rental real estate activitiesActivity DescriptionTenant recruitmentTenant screeningNegotiating and executing leasesOverseeing repairs and maintenanceCommunications with tenants and vendorsTravel timeResearch for potential rental real estate (pub 925)Acquiring rental real estate (pub 925)Paperwork/bookkeeping/bankingResearch and purchase of materialsRent collectionEvictionOn-site cleaningBill paymentOther:Time SpentDateMM/DD/YYYYSubmit

My understanding is that typically, a homeowner must live in the property for at least a year before converting it to a rental.

Sometimes people list on Airbnb but I think you're getting people who are expecting a typical vacation rental.

Rental collection seems easy.