You'll need to separate your assets (either by using a Series-LLC or individual LLC with assessed distribution of assets by LLC) and you'll need to separate your passive (asset holding entities) from active operations (the property management side).After you took care of all this you can look into other more complicated/expensive strategies like you describe (equity stripping).Here is a diagram to help you on this quest - talk with @Scott Smith for professional advice on this:

For example, if you were a professional real estate investor who takes out several mortgages from them every year, they may trust you enough to do some crazy deal.

I didn't use a professional property management company.

A lot of high quality investors and real estate professionals in general you would add value to.

What i've learned is that I want my investments professionally managed, at a distance, and I want to have professional maintenance taking care of my asset. 

Readers are advised to seek professional advice.

When your MAGI exceeds $150k, you can no longer take any passive loss.To get around the PAL rules, you can qualify as a real estate professional and materially participate in your rentals.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.