Any thoughts out there -- it seems like there are numerous benefits to ownership of a home and a double rental home seems like it would protect some of my earnings and allow me to build equity into SOMETHING (anything) so that maybe someday I could even buy my landlord's home when his health gets worse and he cannot stay here any longer and we would live in our beautiful location with a rental on the property as well. 

., etc.In other words, it's not really possible to give you much of an answer to your question without knowing more information...If you post the relevant details, then folks here will definitely help you out.  ...in addition to describing some of the details I mentioned above, I'd suggest posting a financial model of the type of property you're considering (including downpayment, rate, mortgage payment, rent income, and all other relevant income and expenses)....if you're not yet sure about those details, then I'd suggest studying up on real estate--listen to BP podcasts, read articles, study the forums, watch YouTube videos, maybe even buy a book on the particular investing strategy you're interested in (since you're a beginner, I'd highly recommend reading up on house hacking). 

Also, Dave Myer posted a helpful article on this topic showing all the data and that pretty much sealed the deal for me.

But using other people’s money not only lets you get started in the flipping business when you have little or no cash to invest, but it also gives you a chance to flip more properties simultaneously and increase your overall profits once you gain enough experience to do multiple deals.Read this article for more information https://www.investopedia.com/a...Good luck!

I am seeing articles that you cannot do rentals under 30 days under FHA.

If you look up "can you carry losses forward on a short term rental", then you'll see an article saying that you can do the same with STRs, but you might run into an issue since you haven't made income on the property this year. 

Thanks in advance  I recommend you read this article on OOS investing.

The legislature specifically prohibited cities from requiring any kind of permit or permission, so it's not just a fee issue:"The key statutory language now states that local governments may not “require any owner or manager of rental property to obtain any permit or permission under Article 11 or Article 12 . . . to lease or rent residential real property or to register rental property with the local government.”I know Shannon (not real well, she just started over here) and I know she came from Asheville planning so I'm sure their zoning might look similar. 

Build a NetworkRead this article for more information https://www.investopedia.com/i...All the best!

Links to the BP articles are also avaialble on our website (BP seach engine doesn't work well).You should also hit up @Joe Hammel a local agent specializing in rentals.