Yeah I want to expand my portfolio to more non-STRs but want to know if I reach the hour requirements in my non-STR portfolio, would being self employed, paying myself a W2 salary (but most of my income is from shareholder distributions be an issue? 

@Francis Rusnak I have done almost 20 apartments in Berwyn and Cicero using the vinyl allure stuff in Khacki Oak from home depot. 

Real estate professional status does not subject someone to self employment tax. 

I’m curious if I’m missing anything to my list so far I have (per zip code) also I currently invest in the Lansing area.Projects in the next 10 years (expected start and end date) Average household income Crime score Average home price Population growth past 10 yearsWho are the major employers And vacancy rate Job growth Tenet demographics& government and taxesAs Drew said, this is overkill...and you're missing a few things as well. 

I like near water as home values usually stay high, out of high flood risk areas That’s a great question and one that a lot of people run into when first looking out of state, because while the numbers and spreadsheets are straightforward, actually narrowing down the towns is usually more about weighing long-term fundamentals and demand drivers; when you’re evaluating towns in the Carolinas, you’ll want to not only look at the rent-to-price ratios but also consider how resilient the local economy is, whether there are universities or stable employers nearby, how infrastructure projects or population inflows are shaping future demand, and whether the city or county has landlord-friendly policies since those can make or break your experience.

I usually screen my own tenants, so I'm asking for more information about them (FICO, employment history, etc.) and am planning on meeting them.It sounds as though it is a rental vs personal home.

Definitely dive into the Syndication and Landlording forums here, lots of free, battle-tested advice from people who’ve walked that exact path.How’s your OKC market knowledge so far: neighborhoods, employer base, rent-to-income ratios, and supply pipeline? 

Unlike passive rental income, the income from an active trade or business is subject to self employment tax is nasty.

Rentals can be a perfect complement to self-employment income because they generate deductions and long-term wealth in ways that offset what you’re already earning.A few tax points to keep in mind as you start:- Rental income is generally considered passive, which means you’re not hit with self-employment tax the way you are on your 1099 income.

As a former employee of Kristin Witherspoon, I was subjected to repeated instances of non-payment, which is a clear violation of basic employment principles.