The tests for being an active business, e.g. material participation, don't really apply since the IRS already has ruled/law saying rental are passive activities. 

Stop thinking in conventional banking terms, it does not apply.

They will motivate you, they will push you and they will apply pressure and force you to become a better.

So I’m wondering, as well as my initial work getting the deal should I have more skin in the game.?

Table it.I'd start with a rate refi why and apply. 

We are on forbearance for our home until the end of my Americorps position (I applied to the 10 month Americorps program when the restaurant I was working for shut down for COVID, I earn a small stipend now....) so I don't know if 'buying our second property' should be my goal.Here is what I know: I want to focus on value-add buy-and-hold investments for the primary focus of providing affordable housing.                                

The roommates keep asking if they can apply and renew a lease, What would you do in this scenario? 

Another agent’s client applied and was accepted for a lease starting ASAP.

Likewise, same question applies to renting out a vacant unit (obviously some amount of cleaning goes on here but do you hire it out flat rate, hourly, ect.) 

FOCUSRead books on mindset - Start with 'The Compound Effect'Eliminate friendships that normalize mediocrity Become a student of sales and negotiationsI myself applied all these principles when I started, the result?