I've found that to be a sweet spot, but it's taken time, discipline, and a helluva lot of networking to build the team to do it. 

I'm finally ready to buy my pro membership, but now I realize I don't have the code for a discount that was offered to me several times in the las couple of month.

However, here are a few general suggestions that might help:Since you’re looking to offset rental income and don’t qualify as a real estate professional, one strategy could be to consider any capital improvements you’re planning in the near future.

My parents have a fully paid off property they have turned into investment for quite some time.

One is the order of possession and the other is an award for the monetary damage.

It’s a great time to dive in, especially with the strong rental demand in Tampa.

As near as historians can figure, Washington’s net worth at the time of his death in current dollars was over $1 billion.  

I go through all my parts obtaining private funding, getting contractors set up (meeting dozens of them to find the right ones), and I’m about to get my civil engineers plans for the addition as well to propose to the town the day after closing.

While many others here have suggested where they live/work, I firmly believe for a first time investor in most cases, investing in a market you don't know well just adds a level of risk you don't need to take. 

A provision in the IRS code known as 72T allows one to receive distributions prior to age 59 1/2.