( am an active real estate professional, spending 15-20 hours/week on the rentals.  

I am a young professional living and working in Boston, Massachusetts.

However, it is also true that outside forces such as rates, jobs, etc impact the housing market at different times of the year.  

RS Means is the best; it's the one a lot of professionals use. 

Namely the biggest is the lack of true self direction.You could do that; however, it'd have to be Fair Market Rent.

Additionally I need to find a professional CPA / adviser.  

It's an option that can be used to get into the business, but if you should do it can only be determined by you and your husband, possibly with the help of a CPA or similar professional. 20-45k is generally enough to get started, depending on what you're getting into and where you are.If you are going to be risking your primary residence with a HELOC, my suggestion is that you make sure you could handle the possibility of that money going into a failing investment and getting lost.

There are professional tenants out there who know how to play the system and take advantage of landlords etc...Make sure to work with people you trust, and think very carefully before buying super low end.  

Professional dress.

Mostly from the point of view in evaluating the true condition of properties.