Quote from @Sonja Revells: @Chris Seveney primarily Padsplits  I would speak to a few lenders first before going through all these hoops, as I started to do this then when talking to banks they were basically telling me either get a secured mortgage as they will not lend to a real estate company on unsecured credit/debt.

As much as I hate annuities, you might speak with an annuity agent about the employer awarding a bonus in the form of a single premium deferred annuity invested in index funds and that you do not have the right to access until a date certain and then a full payout over time.

Speaking of Islands, do you have any contacts on Dauphin Island below Mobile? 

Why do you think folks are so afraid to speak up? 

To diversify, visit and analyze Texas markets, speak with local investors, evaluate other regions remotely, build a team, start small, and connect with local investors.

@Mike TikhJust speaking from my house hacking experience in Reno, NV, we're vastly different than the other markets mentioned. 

If you just hire the cheapest or first PMC you speak with and it turns into a bad experience, please don’t assume ALL PMC’s are bad and start trashing PMC’s in general.

Therefore you should speak with a local zoning attorney and architect to determine the viability of a use change.

Here are a few simple and free ways to learn: Go to real estate meetup groups, attend open houses and speak with the agent there, inspect FSBOs (for sale by owner), walk your area, and speak to people tending their yards.The idea is to engage with other people and ask, Ask, ASK questions about their experience with the local market.Some other ideas: find a home inspector who will let you tag along in a property inspection, and absorb what they are looking at and why.Your mindset and enthusiasm for learning about real estate will open many doors for you.Good Luck!

Also - I am an out of state investor, generally speaking, how often do you send your tree guy to inspect the trees in your rentals to check if they are ok or need to be cut?