I live in the Seattle area, but I work with a team on the ground that helps me locate deals, project manage rehab and provides property management.

But instead of getting steered in a direction of right/left per your example, I'm told "you shouldn't be messing with concepts you don't understand" and "it's not simple, go get some advice from a real tax pro" who in all likelihood will just be an accountant who files taxes for a living and has no real experience with these concepts and will tell me it's not worth it, like Mike did. 

I live in New York (for now 🙄) and will be buying investment property outside NY state.

The tenant has been living there for just over 10 years.

The cost of living is extremely low compared to other cities and you can still many many positive cash flowing and 1% deals here.

I need a new job that aligns better with my passions, where I can make enough money to live in the meantime - so something in sales - but I legally can’t get a real estate license, and can’t go without pay in the meantime before sales. 

Right now anybody can create a fake lease and say they live in a house. 

@Brian KilpatrickYou 100% do not need an LLC (speaking for Texas)I have 1 primary residence turned rental and now live in another primary.

First timer here, I live in Seattle, WA houses here are too expensive to make a mistakes for first timer, so I am considering start small from more affordable areas, like Detroit Metro Area or Cleveland, or maybe other locations more seasoned investors can recommend. 

He wants to give the house to the 4 children and 2 of the children are willing to contribute added capital to improve the house so that Dad can live there for the rest of his life, he is currently 80 years old.