Wasn't sure where to post, sorry....     

Here's your oddball of the group, the deal size here is right around the size where CMBS become viable.

It sounded like they suspected he was not living there but couldn't figure out where he was.   

I have a good amount of equity, so I am just getting ideas of where I want to be at.

If you were to partner with another more experienced investor to purchase a short term rental, do a cost segregation, and "materially participate" then you could gain the benefits you are looking for without negatively cash flowing, and you could work out a deal where you maybe only have to materially participate for the first year to claim your tax benefits and then you can act as a more passive investor.

3) Where can I find accurate market data such as school system ratings, population growth, median household income, and crime rates for specific neighborhoods in Orlando?

If you can't invest near you, you still have to get a feel for what all the numbers mean and the numbers near you may not be the same as where you are looking.

The only exceptionsare:• One- or two-family homes occupied by the owner;• Room rentals in properties for individuals of the same sex, such as college dormitories or boarding houses where all residents are of the same sex; and• Housing intended for seniors."

I have a unique situation where an elder lady wants to gift me her house.

I have some work needing done that requires permits and the contractors aren't licensed in the city where the permit is needed.