How do I verify if NMLS ID is active?

You just need to run all the numbers, and also take into account any Passive Activity Losses (PAL).Make sure you use a Qualified Intermediary (QI) for the transaction. 

Local Trends: Watch for changes in the area like major employment shifts and construction projects.Ghost Ads: Post fake ads before purchasing a community and gauge your activity.

Even if you have to pay more for the purchase think about the costs of carrying the real estate while waiting for the approvals  (debt service, property taxes, insurance, maintenance for the in-place tenant) and the additonal finance charges associated with originating an acquisiton/bridge loan and then a construciton loan at a later date. 

This is doable however my time to find, procure, and renovate rentals is very restricted due to my life on active duty.When looking strictly at the numbers a mortgage provides a better CoCR and a better ROE, but stepping back and looking at more plain facts it seems like leaving the house paid off is the best bet, thoughts? 

What this means for you s that there is a good chance that your existing SFH becomes rent controlled when the ADU is placed in service (I would like to see the law clarified on this as this practice goes against the rationale of the 15 year exclusion). the reason this is important is that any rent reduction places your base rent at that point for rent control purposes.  

Also, if you setup a servicing company to manage the payments (usually like $25-35 a month), they can setup an escrow account for taxes and insurance as well and cut a check to her Trust bank account each month.

To demonstrate that in January 2019, there were 7,637 active listings in Dallas county.

So they start with wholesaling or more active real estate gigs. 

In the Tampa area it is still possible to achieve a 5-10% CoC return (sometimes higher) on a property here if you are hiring full service management.