2 camps in CA I see frequently.Those who made a ton of equity cycle upside and their dead equity versus the rents they collect has a wide gap.They see California with a host of issues and raising taxes and looking to put rent control on landlords.

Some of those practical details on the buy and hold side are in books I mentioned in a blog post on the classics of landlord literature...

If anything its good practice!

This has nothing to do with your real estate agency position.Look to "net listings" with or without a listing agreement.Each state interprets laws differently, someone in one state should not be advising how a RE commission deals with matters unless they have specific knowledge of that commission or state laws.......maybe they are an attorney authorized to practice in your state. 

Local codes and practices will vary!  

The acquisition costs are unsecured and you lose a lot of benefits of investing in a tangible asset that you actually own and control.

I practice that.Frank

The key to protecting your personal property is to look like you have none on paper: control everything, own nothing.

Control Low, Assign Low and do it Often"Charles

I don't find this to be true in practice but I'm sure it happens.End result: Don't fear the MLS :)