To qualify, taxpayers must meet specific criteria demonstrating that they are real estate professionals who materially participate in their rental activities.How to Navigate the Rules:Step 1: Identify your real property trades or businessesHere is a list of activities that are considered to be a real property trade or business:RedevelopmentLeasingConversionConstructionReal property developmentReconstructionOperationRentalBrokerageManagementAcquisitionIf you participate in multiple of these activities, you may be able to combine them making it easier to meet the material participation hour requirements.Step 2: Demonstrate material participation in real property trades or businessesThere are seven tests to determine if you demonstrate material participation.

@Max Servais talk to C4 Insurance out of the Madison area.

The software is going to be very conservative with your write-offs.

In my experience, you can purchase the existing home and the encroachment is grandfathered in, meaning the vacant lot owner can't force you to move it.

The seller needed to move out of the country so they wanted to sell and shut down the property.

But not the one I drive . 

We used PropertyZar.com (full disclosure - I am associated with them)

I started investing at the age of 47.

It's been ~6 months since the mayor did the initial sweep.

Naturally your relinquished property must be sold before you can take title to the new property, but its a great way to make the process as smooth as possible.Even though the time frames can feel daunting I find that 95% of exchanges from my clients are successful.