Therefore, it stands to reason that in the state of Maryland, it wouldn't be legal for me to wholesale properties.I am not, however, licensed in DC or Virginia.

Again, how to check if those are legal? 

what are some legal ways to reduce my rental imcome?

Even though rates and down payment may seem high, if there is any legal trouble associated with that property, you can sleep at night knowing you and your personal assets are protected.

As someone who anal/obsessive about paying all bills early, it has always floored me that even some of the "nicest" folks with adequate funds (at least on paper) will not pay their rent or not pay on time.I suspect these are the ones who deliberately seek out private landlords to rent from hoping these landlords will not pursue them as aggressively legally as a large complex would. 

This isn't legal advice.  

This means the Joker Broker had broken alot of laws listing a property they had no legal interest in or permission to market, but not my problem.Shortly thereafter, we got buyer and seller on the phone, and they began negotiating the deal.  

We use LLCs since they are relatively simple and the lowest cost entity to create both from a legal standpoint as well as state registration fees.

Anything more than that is not legal or ethical.  

When evaluating properties be sure to make sure they include the basics like: Real Estate Taxes Insurance Gas & Electric Water & Sewage Repairs & Maintenance Unit Turnover Contract Services General & Administrative Payroll & Benefits Marketing & Promotion Legal & Accounting Landscape & Snow Removal Trash Removal Management Fee Reserves for ReplacementsThese items at the very least should be included in any competent underwriting of a property, be it by a broker or the owner directly.