Debate causes for people to be forced to think and not just follow blindly... so this is a good thing.

I was in the process of interviewing management companies(maybe overkill for an owner-occupied duplex, but with my work schedule and him being blind I feel he will be better taken care of in an emergency) and found one that was able to redraft a M2M contract that addressed some of these issues - guest limitations, specific language to common areas, etc.

So, in many cases you are bidding blind or in part blind if you can obtain access or some information.

Can I expense materials the same year as I was doing all the work myself and the majority of work was mostly fixing non-working, absent, hazardous or leaking things (stairs, faucets, some plumbing/pipes, electrical, non functional door handles, some trim fixing/replacement, painting, blinds) in order to bring the place to rentable condition?

I think most flippers are color blind.

Anyway as mentioned above, I am looking to volunteer my spare time in hopes of learning a thing or two about the real estate space to see if it is a path that I really want to invest time and money on (without blindly purchasing a property and learning the hard way).

Make offers blindly and hope for the best!

There is trash inside and outside of the house (we have photos)-We need to sell both houses ASAP because Rose is under 24/7 homecare due to blindness and other health conditions that do not allow her safely live on her own; she is paying for this care out of her savings and money runs out in December 2021.

If future appreciation is high, risk is seen as low.As with any rule, it is very important to understand the basis for the rule, rather than just blindly applying it.

I don't know my blind spots.