I recall that podcast teaching me to see it as an important marketing pitch where you pitch both the deal and your track record.

@Andrew Lydon, you have probably already done this, but the most important first step is making sure you pay all of your property expenses out of separate bank / credit card account(s). 

I know what my personal goals are, they are similar to yours, I know the numbers are my weakness and also THE most important part so I'm taking them on head on and this was the first step.

At this point the cash flow is more important than appreciation.

just as importantly though is, if you are willing to give up 50% of a deal to get the money to get it done, then hard money rates look cheap when you keep all the profit.

Every successful business understands the importance of utilizing social media.

I haven't come across too many 90+ year olds that don't involve their family when making large/important decisions at that point in life.  

I would then put it back into service when the property is again used as a rental.example.1/1/2017 - 3/31/2017 used as a rental4/1/2017 - 6/30/2017 used as a personal residence7/1/2017 - 12/31/2017 used as a rentalCalculate depreciation from 1/1/2017 through 3/31/2017 and have the software calculate depreciation.Retire the asset from 4/1/2017 through 6/30/2017Then put the asset back into service from 7/1/2017 and 12/31/2017.It is important to put the accumulated depreciation back into the asset because this is your adjusted basis when you plan to sell the future again.Converting the property to personal and back to rental does not reset your basis.

It depends on many factors, one important one of which is your vicinity to the property and your knowledge of the local laws.

I think the most important item you need to find out their motivation.