However, I've recently come across articles discussing the potential benefits of lower down payments in certain situations.Given the current real estate market conditions, what are the critical factors to consider when deciding between a high or low down payment for an investment property?

Operating expenses are routine and necessary costs to keep the property in its ordinary operating condition, and they are typically deductible in the year they are incurred.You also mentioned the benefits of classifying something as an operating expense versus a capital expenditure.

Unlike the frenzied buying behavior during the pandemic, today’s buyers are more selective and are seeking properties that offer true value.This shift has led to increased demand for move-in-ready homes and properties that are in excellent condition.

Personally, I wouldn't totally disagree, but it is very much in the eyes of the beholder what "nice place to live" means.Based on your post, I would assume you are getting requests because you are a new landlord (maybe the old one was not a kind person, so tenants chose not to make any requests) and that you are asking them to pay more rent for a unit that is likely in worse condition than when they moved in.So now, you can either tell them no, or you can accommodate and potentially open up pandoras box of setting expectations that you will cater to all requests all the time, or as noted, you can remove yourself from the equation and hire a PM to handle the requests.  

I lean toward the latter—this is more about economic conditions and the lingering post-COVID effects.

The IRS defines a repair as something that keeps your property in good working condition without significantly adding value or extending its life.

Meanwhile hardly any emphasis is placed on the loan administration and even more importantly the relationship component of lending.Far too many investors, particularly those just starting out, are being conditioned to seek out the “easy” lending choice rather than invest time and energy required to cultivate meaningful relationships with lenders who truly value the borrower/lender relationship and are interested in assisting you grow.

Taking that money out and anything that leads to more people using the equity from their homes and reduces the friction to that process is not good in the long run.As a NPL buyer who buys 1st position mortgages, we do watch stuff like this carefully as the moment these borrowers get high CLTV's any drop in pricing and change in economic conditions will lead to more foreclosures versus bankruptcies.

The city approved rental license inspector essentially just tested to make sure there was access to hot water, access to heat, no unsafe conditions like exposed electric wiring, CO/smoke detectors present/functional, fire extinguishers present/not expired, etc.

We negotiated based on the property's existing condition and potential post-renovation value, successfully securing a favorable deal for both parties at $100,200, enabling us to unlock its hidden value.