Otherwise we get flooding on the kitchen floor causing a trip hazard. 

I have been mostly managing the rental properties on my own and more recently, after studying a lot more on the tax benefits, I realized that a couple of the trips that I take to meet with my property management companies can be deducted. 

Then take a trip down here to meet them and see their operation. 

The closest one to me that I could find was in Philadelphia (which is a 5 hour round trip when traffic is good, and traffic is never good near Philly).

Lucas, I see what you mean, but it still seems like a wash though.If we rent ours out to someone else while renting someone else's for our trip, then we break even.

"A little bit of inconvenience can lead to a lot of happiness""Money is like gas during a road trip.

I've been researching the city and surrounding areas and I'm planning a trip there at the end of August.

This will be an amazing trip.

Maybe plan a trip or two into that market to meet the people, drive the neighborhoods, look at contractors' works, and hire a real estate attorney....... 

Maybe take a trip to a couple of those cities and see what your gut tells you.