Track mileage before I own my first investment property?

[Joe Eitel]

I'm in the process of searching for my first investment property. I was wondering if the mileage I accrue while driving potential properties can be counted on my taxes? As I said, I'm not "officially" a real estate investor (or am I?) until I have at least one property under my belt, but if I'm in the act of searching for that first property, does that count as a business expense? For what's it's worth, I plan to have my first property this year, so I know that at that point, my mileage will count.

Thanks!