Hi everyone,I am new to the USA and looking to invest in property with a long term goal to eventually replace part of my W2 income and also pave the way for my children to get a easier start in life.At the moment I am renting with an intention to buy a single family home this year.In a addition I have other cash - not much - that is sitting in a interest bearing account growing very slowly.

Additionally, it can help maximize renovations and improvements.A Cost Segregation study is an IRS approved federal income tax tool that increases near term cash flow by utilizing shorter recovery periods for depreciation to accelerate return on investment.

@Jason Park hit the nail on the head in terms of "it depends on your goals".

I am completely open in terms of new investment opportunities / investment types.

I have wonderful long-term tenants whose lease ends June 30th.

Others already gave you info on where to find tenant's rights, but for utilities and lawn maintenance, they signed the lease agreeing to those terms.

We think it will make a great short-term rental in a very office-space-heavy area.I want to offer her a higher sale price (closer to what she wants) if we can make the deal work for us.Any suggestions?

Here are some diagrams to help you in your quest for answers on this subject:Asset Protection Decision Diagram - to help assess the need for asset protection, and what to implement : https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-decision-diagramAsset Protection Onion Diagram - what, when and at what cost one should implement in terms of asset protection - https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/CosIorg/file/asset-protection-onion-diagram-v2What is needed for a complete asset protection OR the domains that need to be intersected to find asset protection

However, I'm concerned about the high monthly payments that come with shorter loan terms.

Prepayment penalties- usually 1-5 year terms.