On the schedule E under lending guidelines for Freddie/Fannie loans as outlined in Regulation Z  25% of the income reported is not counted (this is to account for vacancies and maintenance). 

This prevents you from establishing a series of steps to get there.Each step should be designed with the next step in mind. 

If they're overpriced, show them recent comparable sales and ask them how they would feel if they kept their home at its current pricepoint and it sat for another X months.You want to establish trust and you'll do that by being transparent and honest about the TRUE value of their home.Best of luck to you moving forward!

You want to start to establish a relationship with each, get a feel for how accessible and transparent they are.

I'm looking to establish enough passive investments to retire as early as possible (preferably the next 3-5 years lol).

If your investments can't support the price of someone else doing the work then they may not have been the best choices for passive investments.If you are just starting out and are trying to maximize the cash flow to get established then I can understand that.Apartment complexes have a higher turnover.

Since we invest out of town, certainly more than 100 miles from our personal residence, he and his guidance on the deal (the area of town, the demographics, the rents, the local regulations and what can and cannot be done with a property) cannot be overstated.

The PAUSE Program also lists entities that impersonate genuine U.S. registered securities firms as well as fictitious regulators, governmental agencies, or international organizations.”SEC Public Alerts

Of course there are exceptions, but to just go driving by, or scan MLS, or get a list of homes being foreclosed on, and think you’re going to be able to establish a sustainable business is just a dream sold by people selling mentoring services.

I'm starting my hunt for "just the right fit," tax professional and/or CPA for my newly established real estate investing business and was seeking recommendations or advice?