I would also look for places with government friendly to your strategy land lord friendly states for LTR.

So, you will have to get commercial lending anyway since the conforming residential loans are only for, well, residential...No, you don't need a real estate license to invest...With commercial lending, its not really regulated as heavily like residential lending. 

All require a permit/license.I would definitely point you in Arvada's direction, as they've just put updated regulation into place allowing up to three owned properties to be run as short term rentals. 

So if you don't complete an exchange, any positive proceeds you have left will be taxed at your gains rate and you would have to pay to the government.

Just read the cfpb sitehttp://www.consumerfinance.gov/regulations/integra...

Thanks Tom,There are so many laws and regulations in RE here in Ohio that its overwhelming at times.I send so much stuff to our attorney every week that I dread the monthly bill lollolI don't think this one to be a priority but I appreciate you pointing it out.Thanks for costing me more $$$ as I will probably forward it to my attorney now haha

Where's a good, official place to start researching Maryland's rules and regulations about all this?

There are no such applicable laws in Canada that govern options to purchase, etc.  

I have asked Airbnb and they refuse to give "legal advice" and just say to ask my local government.  

I have a few ideas that I believe would meet requirements for a government grant, because of that I would love to speak with anyone that has experience with government grants for real estate