@Dona CardenasI personally think actually owning physical real estate is the best way to go especially using leverage.  

This means such entities are obligated to pay the $800 minimum tax, regardless of their actual physical presence or operations within California.To navigate these areas effectively, I strongly recommend working with qualified professionals, including a knowledgeable tax advisor who understands real estate and a seasoned asset protection attorney familiar with your specific goals and risk profile.

You’d reduce your living expenses, gain experience managing tenants, and buy at a time when you're actually in the market physically, giving you better control and options.In my opinion you’re thinking about all the right things, so trust your gut and enjoy the process!

If a property is physically a duplex but zoned single-family (RSF-3), it could present issues with permits, insurance, financing, or future resale.

@Alexandra Isenhour   We're a nationwide firm with several physical offices throughout the U.S.

They follow the profit first model where you can set up automatic transfers based on income to divvy it out to your various checking accounts, etc. and have budgeting limits you can set up on their physical & virtual cards which is great.

Are you looking to find deals in your local market where you can physically go see the property? 

From a quick look, it sounds like you also need to file a RITA return in addition to an Ohio return, but this depends on which locality the property is physically located in.

Andrew have you ever actually physically been to Detroit and seen the mothballed car factories ??? 

As an owner I would not think i would be entitled to any of the deposits even if there was damage - this is one piece of the deal and how the deal was structured. f you felt you were due a part of it I would have included it in the asking price BUT would not reduce the tenants deposit as I am guessing by law you cannot do that without doing the physical repairs.