You should track your own units expenses as well so when you move out, you can quickly reclaim any expenses or depreciation you built on the personal unit when converted into a 2nd business unit which would then be included on your schedule E.You also write off half of your property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, or any shared expense.

A real estate lawyer can help you navigate the specifics, including ensuring you don’t inadvertently trigger any unintended tax consequences.A few tips to consider:Check with your mortgage lender: If there’s a loan on the property, transferring it to an LLC could violate the loan’s due-on-sale clause.

I’ve had to widen my search radius to smaller suburbs or target properties needing light cosmetic work to make the numbers work.Value-add opportunities: Adding amenities tenants love, like finished basements or upgraded kitchens, seems to justify rent premiums in this market.Navigating the competition:Be creative with financing: Seller financing or partnering with other investors has been helpful to secure deals when conventional offers didn’t cut it.Work with local agents and wholesalers: They often have their finger on the pulse of off-market opportunities, which is critical in a hot market.For those new to suburban Chicago investing, I’d say the key is finding the “sweet spot” neighborhoods—ones on the rise but not yet maxed out in price.

Lenders often include a portion of the cash flow in the investment property as income to you personally to offset the DTI. 

Then plan and design how you're going to deploy that cash via what strategy your wife and you have confidence in.I use a excel or google doc and my first sheet would layout all of the details of the sale including all costs that go into getting closed.

He offers really good service, great cost effectiveness, and currently finished one in just around 3 months. 

@Jerell Edmonds is right that many of us, including myself, waited because of fear and feelings. 

That way, there is some type of cushion to help against any high usage months, should they just happen to use more than your previous tenants did, or if you unfortunately get tenants who abuse the "utilities included" opportunity. 

If this isn't required, then most likely having the GC sign a completion guarantee to ensure the project gets finished and lender is not stuck with a partially complete asset is the case. 

I would include servicing costs of the loan and licensing costs.