Set an appointment, have a list of questions ready, and jot down the answers.

Currently house hacking.

Having the money to spend while also leaving it to the next generation is going to be tough.If she's got her heart set on real estate, get her a solid rental where she can spend the rental income and when she's gone, the heirs can sell the house and do what they want with that money.My mom (early 80s) just sold her house and bought a less expensive one-she put her left over money from the sale into a bank account with high interest.  

Do you plan to stay in this area for a while and work and live in the same house?

House hack How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

Should we sell the Red Lodge house and pay cash for another rental, albeit in a lesser market? 

@Ryan Tylergo to all the local REIA meetings and talk to the local investorsmake some friendsalso house hackgood luck

Set up and site prep, open permits2.) demo and clean up (also electrical and plumbing demo)3.) rough carpentry, windows4.) rough plumbing, electrical5.) city inspection6.) insulation (and inspection, at least here in Wisconsin)7.) drywall, texture, primer, paint8.) cabinets and flooring9.) doors and millwork10.) flooring11.) finish electical12.) finish plumbing13.) appliances14.) punch list15.) final clean upYou can alwys tell a bad crew when they are drywalling in one room and then start demo in another.

Moreover, even if you decide to go the commercial route, given your age and current position, I still highly recommend the investment strategy of house hacking.

@Martin NestaI don't have much info for you - but I do know the 'nature of the beast' I can share with you... perhaps something will help...Most property tax "just values" in Florida - the value they say your property is worth - are intentionally set about 15-20% below market value.