What do you define as a "professional"? 

An LLC also offers flexibility in management, taxation, and other aspects of running a business.

You're wrong, you're at the age where you can define that.

By letting the other person speak first, you define the midpoint, which gives you much more power than the anchoring principle would.Plus, there’s a chance the other party’s offer will be even lower than what you would have offered: you never want to negotiate against yourself, and by waiting to see what the seller asks for, you eliminate this risk.For the best results, come in with a goal price.

I agree it seems like it is one of the harder aspects of OOS investing!

You will probably design every aspect of your rental business to give you Real Freedom. 

If the amendment doesn't define a more sophisticated method in finding non-permitted houses, this will have little affect on the STR market in Austin. 

This is allowable because unlike the depreciation test, the rules here tie to the activity, with is not defined as an entire building.

The other big benefit to an umbrella is it protects you against all aspects of liability risk, people get so worried about rental properties, when by farrrr the biggest risk is auto related. 

Unless you are a real estate professional as defined by the IRS, you won't be able to offset your personal income as a deduction.