The family purchased a lakefront property in a nice area three years ago but then ran into a series of issues, and have abandoned the place because of them.They are hoping the bank allows a short sale (asking for roughly $20,000 under what is owed)Here's what's made them so unhappy:Anytime they used the laundry it was dumping into a dry well, which would back up into the house forcing them to take their laundry to a laundromat instead!!

Currently my husband are out of state investors with 3 single family rentals in KC. 

HI BP family.

My goals are to start building an investment portfolio of professionally managed (I could tell you all the reasons I will not do it myself) multi-family properties and, in time, develop a property in the Northwoods (Wisconsin/UP).

To reduce taxes, offset gains with selling expenses (e.g., commissions, fees) and consider a 1031 exchange to defer gains by reinvesting in another property.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

Quote from @Andrew White: Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment in San Antonio.

I love that you're focused on helping your family and community.

After selling one and using a 1031 exchange to buy a fourplex in Chicago, he reduced his interest burden by 20% while boosting his net incomes by $1,500 per month.

It has opened my eyes to how single family rentals really work.

Certainly nothing ground-breaking in terms of ideas here, however I'll be very hands on (and on site) during the process to make sure that every step of the way is executed to a high standard and very carefully.Once I've hopefully developed a successful track record and gained experience, my next goal would be to move on to commercial assets (think multi-family, industrial etc) so that I can leverage my existing investor network and real estate knowledge to raise 3rd party equity and take on bigger projects.