The economy grows,  prices rise, investment money flows in, people move here, people start and operate successful businesses here.

It's better to have a PM in place and ready for you to grow into needing one than to decide at a critical moment you've got more operational headaches than you can handle on your own.Having potentially a $180k cash position puts you in a very good place to start straight into a fourplex+ for doors. 

You can also discuss properties for sale with the PM you plan to use and get up to speed on expenses and operating issues you need to be aware of.Bottom line you ned to become an expert. 

I have been in the background for a couple years, however working my own job and not seriously involved in ANY of the operation of the properties.

You can operate under your name or form a separate LLC/CORP strictly for the STR (do an S corp Election ie: consult with your CPA/attorney) See which avenue suits your need and please get STR insurance endorsements.

We own and operate apartments and townhouses in the state of Kentucky.

Once they see that higher charge, they'll figure out how to operate a pen again.

That's why it's always recommended that you operate like a business instead of someone that leads with their heart.She can't afford the rental.

A single-family home that's zoned for business use has additional value because it's flexibility to operate as a business, a residence, and possibly even a short-term rental.

I do understand that if I am buying and managing the property myself, all my direct expenses to manage the business are tax deductible, but since I'm thinking of investing on a turnkey basis and planning to hire a property manager for day to day operations, following would be tax deductible as a passive investor.Mortgage InterestProperty TaxProperty Management FeeDepreciationInsurancePossibility of 1031 exchange (Future)When investing via a real estate syndication as a limited partner:20% of the pass through income from the LLC is tax-deductibleThe Syndication LLC obviously would be taking the tax benefits of depreciation, property tax, mortgage interest deductions etc., but as a passive investor, is it more beneficial to invest directly in real estate than investing via a syndication?