I was surrounded by employees of the Fire Department in Beverly. 

UtahAmericafirst 80% LTV on noo 65% LTV UtaArvest Bank AR, OK, AL, MBancorp South, TX Lines of Credit on free and clear houseBank of Southern California, CBank of West (BNP Paribas) 60% LTV CA, AZ, ORBB&T will loan on a rental portfolioBBVA, now PNCBECU for ORBellwether Community Credit Union, NH and MA 85% to 100%, draw 10 yrsBMO Harris, 3 HELOCs to 70% LTVBoeing Employee Credit UnionCalifornia Coast Credit Union San Diego, CA up to 60% CLTV at a rate of Prime + 1Change WholesaleChelsea Groton Bank, CTCitizens Bank -MNCitizens, first position HELOCCMG Financial 70% LTV CMG Financial in Idaho will do 100% on owner occupied.Coastal Federal Bank of NCConsolidated CCU, high LTV NOO LOC, OR, WAEast West Bank, up to 60% LTV with "no docs" CA, WA, NV, GA, NY, TX and MA.

Are employee salaries tax deductible?

I see small commercial in the same city that trade between 5% and 18% cap rates because net income isn't the only factor for small investments where the owner may do a portion of the work to operate the property and the buyer will use employees.

There is such a demand for employees that companies often buy another business just to get their employees. 

I am a high earning W2 employee and switching to independent contractor (hopefully earning more). 

I wouldnt increase my tax bill to show higher income , self employeed , they want 2 or 3 years 

Most W2 employees will have a tough job justifying that more time is spent in RE activities but since my W2 is far from "full time" does that make any difference if I track my hours? 

Then, since they are now a 'legit' operation, they also will typically have their employees legal...meaning they have Workers Comp and a labor burden.

A firm with employees will likely charge more than a single preparer office (due to overhead, etc).