I explained that I can fill in blanks of a form for a client, but can't practice law by interpreting his contracts with seller.  

Practically, if you are catching up big items such as improvement, small 1000 dollar addition to basis is not worth the stress or timing to dig if not accessible. 

I highly recommend that you have a Maryland attorney review the lease and make changes as it pertains to the laws in Maryland before you start using it.  

Throw in syndications and private money and you can see the similarities.The reason I bring this up is because it seems like there is a very thin line between legal and illegal practices sometimes especially when it comes to borrowing money or raising money to invest.

It is probably cheaper than joining the apartment association and they would have the means to qualify a new tenant (credit, criminal, rental history, income) and ensure that the tenants are signing a lease that follows the laws in CA. 

@Julie Hill your goal is admirable but practically undoable (I am assuming you don't have the capital to out right purchase those properties).

But I don't practice law in this area so I would suggest you talk to someone more knowledgeable.

Been reading a lot and it does seem like the numbers regarding cash flow for a single family home on Maui (right now) wouldn’t work too well.I understand and accept that passive income is for the people who’ve built a massive net and are at the top (but even then I think they have to work and make sure their system stays functioning)I really want to learn more about owning/operating vacation rentals, specifically in HI if possible and specifically the tax part of it (now with the shift of the 2018 tax laws).I’m going to dive through the forums and try find more books on the topic.

In my area just a ground level entry door for the 2nd floor unit would be acceptable so long as the bedroom windows are minimum egress size (5.7 sq/ft and at least 20" wide) and they are not above a certain height from the ground (I forget the exact distance off hand).Your laws are probably different though. 

Two, your broker may have more stringent advertising requirements than the law itself.