You should gauge his/her comfort with tax law as it pertains to real estate.If you only have a few rentals and a standard W-2 job (i.e. you are not a real estate professional) a competent CPA who is not a rock star in real estate tax, but can play a few chords, will probably be able to add 80-100% of the same level of value as an RE CPA.On the other hand, if you are a RE professional, own lots of rentals and/or interests in syndications, and do value add/repositioning....get yourself a RE CPA.

If you wait until it hits rock bottom you may never get off the sidelines.

😱A ton of red flags here! 

How are you validating your renters because he’s a huge red flag! 

A great agent will bring up and address things you haven't thought of, good and bad.They will have ideas for physical spaces, ways to increase income or reduce expenses and bring up pitfalls or red flags to address and account for.I am still seeking said agent.

Somerville is red hot, I think the only play I would make right now in the ville at this point would be to try to find a value add multi that I could add another unit (RB zone with enough land sq ft).

What are the big red flags I should be looking for? 

(Assuming you do everything correctly and do not allow the corporate veil to be pierced.)Here is another scenario where the LLC will help protect you: If you are a sole-proprietor (no LLC) and a UPS driver slips on the wet lawn of your personal residence, hits his head on a rock and dies, his estate/heirs will sue you for $10 million or more! 

.* A generator on a job like that is a major red flag.

They want to bring more govenrment red tape on how housing providers and investors do business and want to create a tenant welfare system charging huge fees and price caps on rents.If you're landlord or investor in Lon Beach please call the city council and get the word out.... the city council did a vote under the radar and behind closed doors.