The biggest reward of owning and managing vacation rentals is much greater than financial; the friendships I have made with people around the country are priceless.  

It's not a hard program to learn and there are no "secrets" to be successful.We've managed thousands of S8 leases during our 24 years in the Detroit market, DM us if you'd like to chat.

The requirement to have a realtor license, according the Maryland state statute 17-102, does not apply when (among other things)"an owner or lessor of any real estate while managing, leasing or selling the real estate, unless the primary business of the owner or lessor is providing real estate brokerage services or...a person while acting in the capacity of a personal representative" Sounds like a carve out for representing yourself to me.Which would be consistent with the NC definition of a realtor as anyone who buys, sells, leases...real estate for others for compensation.

Cost numbers need to be different?

Not sure the cost.

I tend to say no to the wind, but look at costs vs coverage and the language used.Best of luck!

If you believe in the long-term transformation of the area and have strategies for managing the associated risks, it could be a worthwhile investment, though.

If you could find a duplex property (or a single family house that could be turned into a duplex--check any HOA restrictions first), or a "fixer upper" to live in, that could be a better use of the equity you have in the rental house.If you run the numbers and decide it makes sense to sell the rental house (check with your accountant, figure out closing costs to selling and buying) then you'll possibly have more money to put towards a primary residence.You may want to check the neighborhoods that fall in the school district you want to stay in and look in "under appreciated" areas...maybe not the A class neighborhoods, but ones that have potential of becoming "improved".While I understand your desire to stay in a particular school district, it's not the end of the world to consider other districts if they will allow you to build real estate/family wealth that will put your entire family tree in a better position."

Especially starting out, you're never going to get anywhere if you don't manage to get full and complete control if you don't have an absolute grasp on all your personal finances, if you don't know about lifestyle creep and the hedonic treadmill, if you or the person handling your money can't pinch a penny until the shield dents.4.

Akron is usually cheaper than most places and that's what one decent size bedroom would cost here.