Inspectors always make things sound really bad, that's their stock in trade.

IRS pub 425 says, "Passive activities include trade or business activities in which you don't materially participate.

My idea is to offer my skills, such as social media management, painting, or assisting with various menial tasks, in exchange for the opportunity to learn the trade.

This can help build trust with the tenant and ensure a successful outcome.

To provide an example, I was previously employed in the legal department of HHM, which at the time was a an affiliate management company of a publicly traded hotel development/operation company where we managed  the portfolio of  hotels as well as provided 3rd party management services.

As @Sam Grooms mentioned, we've competed (unsuccessfully) against them in the highest and best.Everyone has their "tricks of the trade".

What was the outcome?

Equity What was the outcome?

There are tricks of the trade you cant get every time on YouTube that matter. 

. :) For some, I imagine you will have more than $200k sitting in them as "potential equity" you could sell 2, 3 or more of them and now trade them for a 6 or 10 + unit property.