There are larger teams than that which will help you with listing presentations and fundamental RE skills that you would not have gained from being completely independent from the start. 

@Sal SanIf its a large property, Appfolio or Buildium is great.If you file just schedule E, Beaver is good. 

If your girlfriend didn't claim the rents, then you need to go back to your CPA and have him or her file an amendment to do your schedule E correctly.

Much cheaper than a PM and you have more control over them.Nathan I comment on Mindy's post.. while the pod casts for the movers and shakers out there are very encouraging for newer investors they tend to be self serving for the guest I E the guest is usually selling something etc..

So I bought my new primary residence 2 months ago. I added several hundred square feet and would now like to tap the home equity. Is this something I can do right away, or do I need to wait until 6 months or 12 months...

This is the fundamental problem I have with Wall Street who takes too much fees off the hard-working efforts of the middle class.

I also have monthly fees for a CRM, our e-key system, and fees to be a part of my brokerage.

You're going to need to find somewhere that offers cash flow and good market fundamentals.

I live in MA and I am in the process of selling a rental property in CA and trying to fill out form 593-E to avoid paying the mandatory franchise tax since we did not make a profit on the sale. 

By "ease" is meant the idea that it's got a whole different set of mechanics compared to analyzing P/E ratios in stocks, and some folks just don't know much about it,  but more fundementally, the physical repairs and the interpersonal rigors of being a landlord.