By the way, from what I read in the Wall Street Journal, there’s a growing number of niche investors cropping up who love grabbing assignments that fly under the mainstream radar, especially if you’re bringing something fresh to the table like a distressed duplex they can reposition, or a small portfolio of row homes they can turn into long-term rentals.

Even small-scale operations like beekeeping, organic farming, or growing specialty crops (e.g., lavender, hemp, etc.) can generate income.Hunting Leases: If the land has good wildlife, you could lease it to hunters during the appropriate seasons.

Plus look for a handy person to take care of any maintenance issues that crop up.You will need to look at each and every room with a critical eye of a guest and not the owner.

I've worked for a few direct lenders and theres a reason the cream of the crop become brokers; half of W2 employee LO's have no idea what they are doing...If I'm buying a property, I want a good quarterback directing me through the process, not a third string who is lucky to see the light of day.

Not only to cover the existing issues but the expected issues that will crop up as the house ages.

Paying taxes on the seed rather than the crop. 

I look at it through the lens of: 1) If I contribute to a pre-tax account like a pre-tax 401k, Traditional IRA, SEP IRA, I get a tax deduction, but now I'm in a partnership with the IRS, but I don't know what I will have to pay them later on in life when I start pulling money out (that is because when you distribute you pay taxes based on your effective tax rate at that time, which can be unknown). 2) With Roth accounts, (Roth IRA/Solo 401k(k) with Roth component), I can get the taxes out of the way on the seed, so I don't have to pay on the crop. 

Don,  great points as usual from my cheap seats what I see coming down the pike and have personally experienced over the years in Sub to is this new crop of Guru pitching this form of acquiring real estate..

I have had people leave me Christmas ornaments and lovely notes in my guest book.

A friend of mine still talks about the VRBO she rented leaving them a Christmas ornament with the town and year on it.