The CPA you spoke to was right, there are tremendous tax benefits for what the IRS calls "real estate professionals" The basic criteria is twofold: 1) you must engage more that half of your 'working' time in real estate related activities. 2) You must spend at least 750 hours involved in RE.What is considered real estate involvement?

Not deal breakers.I'm currently an active retail mortgage originator, amongst a couple other things, but Its been my experience that working as a wholesale account executive from 2000 until 2016 and being on the backside of literally thousands of loan closings since the inception of the newest regulations that I can recall only one instance of a set back caused by cents on a transaction, but that was early on in the Dodd/Frank era and was the result of software, that was subsequently fixed by an addition 3 day waiting period, because that was the safest play for the lenders ***.The take away here, again just in my opinion, is on the front side of the transaction, write the offer at whatever it takes to get the contract done, then hand it off to your favorite lender...they'll figure it out. :)

Do not rely on the internet if you choose to explore such a strategy. 

Hello BP fam, I have a couple questions as I’m actively working on purchasing my first investment.

Also want active RE income from rehabs (primarily SF, but could also be small MF or even small retail).Other criteria/wants on the list:-  Mountains...real mountains, not hills or far off across the grasslands mountains, but real mountain views and access to hiking and skiing, etc.-  Family friendly and decent schools- Within 1 hour of a really good children's hospital and an even closer decent ER.- Within 1 hour of an airport- Low taxes!! 

This is actually also a benefit sometimes if you plan to take an active roll in the association you might have more control over turning around or improving an ailing condo association. 

Hey everyone, I know the Wichita forum isn't that active but I figured I would give it a shot.

The trust rates were reduced slightly with the 2017 tax law, but not nearly as much as the corporate rates.2018 Estate and Trust Income Tax RatesIf taxable income is:                                The tax is:Not over $2,550                                       10% of taxable incomeOver $2,550 but not over $9,150          $255 plus 24% of the excess over $2,550Over $9,150 but not over $12,500        $1,839 plus 35% of the excess over $9,150Over $12,500                                            $3,011.50 plus 37% of the excess over $12,500Because of the new corporate tax rates, the use of a UBIT Blocker corporation may now make sense for those investors wishing to regularly engage in UBIT exposed activities such as house flipping. 

A “company” that wastes their marketing dollars mailing to houses where title transferred in the last three months and that appear to be active construction sites isn’t one I could see myself sitting down with.

This is assuming that you are not an active investor.