I've done my best to research the process but wanted to get additional guidance.

Additionally, consider partnering with a HML.

.- Explore strategies like 1031 exchanges to defer capital gains taxes.Deductions and Expenses- Know eligible deductions: mortgage interest, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and management fees.- Maintain detailed records of all real estate-related expenses.- Use cost segregation studies to expedite depreciation of your properties to offset large income gains.Entity Structure- Choose appropriate legal structure (LLC, partnership, or S corporation) with consideration for different tax implications.Tax Credits- Explore available credits, like energy-efficient or historic rehabilitation credits.Qualified Business Income (QBI) Deduction- Check eligibility for QBI deduction, providing up to a 20% deduction on qualified business income.Record Keeping- Keep accurate and organized records for tax compliance and audits.State and Local Taxes- Consider varying state and local tax implications, including property and income tax rates.Tax Planning- Engage in proactive tax planning, consulting with professionals for a comprehensive strategy.Tax Changes- Stay informed about changes in federal, state, and local tax laws affecting real estate investments.Remember to consult a real estate tax professional for personalized advice based on your specific situation.

Additionally, Ohio's generally landlord-friendly legal environment, compared to Philadelphia, makes it an appealing investment location.

All of the other comments are great, I will just add one piece of additional advice, decide what you want your investment to look like five years from now.

(income taxes)Additionally, the question of whether to hold until death or gift may also depend on the size of your mother's taxable estate and where you believe the estate tax laws to be headed. 

Since we cannot buy local (cap rate in CA is pretty low), we are exploring different markets. 

Additionally, during my future engagement with the city, I'd like to know if this project will affect the building process, building code, and permitting process, considering our property is along one of the roads at the heart of this project.I recently saw the news about short-term rentals.

The lease that was signed and sent to me had an incorrect rent amount with an additional clause making me pay for utilities!!

Sales have been such a rollercoaster here I want to explore different avenues as well.