What guidance / cite do you have for only deducting some expenses until it's actively rented?

Quote from @Justin Brin: I created a heat map showing the population changes in each state over the past five years (2020–2024).The states experiencing the largest population increases are Florida, Texas, Utah, Arizona, and South Carolina.

I think those rent estimates are realistic. 

I’d recommend connecting with local property managers and agents as soon as possible—agents can help you identify deals that fit your BRRRR criteria, and property managers can give insight into rental demand and market rents.

My next goal is to implement the BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) method, specifically in Birmingham, AL, and focus on Section 8 properties.With relatively good rehabs, I’m not looking to be a "slumlord"—I want to provide quality housing for tenants while also ensuring my investment is successful.I’ve heard mixed reviews about Section 8 tenants, but I’m eager to learn more.

And I just bought her a 350k condo in AZ for us to enjoy on getaways and not rent out.

My wife (she picks all our STR stays) would not rent a STR in that type of area in any City but we are not everyone so take that with a grain of salt.

Yes, you can deduct the 8 days rent from the security deposit.

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

If Oak Park allows STRs, leveraging that history could make the property stand out.That said, unless the home has been preserved as a landmark or has unique historical features, the value boost may be more about novelty than a significant price increase.