Okay, I've researched, researched researched ,spoke with loan specialists etc. and I'm on the right path to get started, but felt it would be wise to ask the BP community of their experience in hopes to be gifted with their knowledge so that I can better correlate between research and human endeavor.So I DO NOT earn 6 figures and therefore I've lived well below my means to save everything I do earn to begin my buy and hold path. 

Drug dealers would leave asap if that happens. 

The confusion comes when new dealers/operators think the need an identity to deal in real estate, "I'm a wholesaler, I'm a buy and hold investor, I'm a rehab guy"...... what difference does it make to Harry Homeowner who or what you call yourself?"

Any advice is greatly appreciated.David,Here's what I do for my multi-family buyers:Yes it is hard to estimate for maintenance because of a lot of variablesBut I know its expense is less for more units, for things like 16+ unit buildings, onsite maintenance room for storage materials, onsite employees use less hours to do work ordersSome entities even volunteer their residents to pick up grounds, hence minimizing your maintenance costsIf hdsupply.com accepts your account they specialize in multi-family buildings and you don't have to use man power for delivery or pickups And yes, you can do analysis paralysis but it might help you the bank's formula DCRThe 1031 buyers look at expenses differently Yes there's a number per door, e.g. if the units have been neglected you will spend at least one month's rent in turn ready unit expense    An organized well lubricated team should turn ready units in 2-3 daysPay close attention to the human factor, i.e. low self-esteem employees who will take longer to turn ready units or do work orders with poorly workmanship, theft, etc In capital expenses, concentrate in a few and more expensive to start with, AC, plumbing, electrical

You might speak to one of their dealers. 

@Amber Webb  think twice re registering your REI as a business, especially in flipping.Read up on the IRS dreaded classification of "RE Dealer".IMO, if you need write-offs to make your flips profitable, you need to buy smarter and reduce costs.

You may have to pay something for it, but it isn't a large amount.The only cautionary note is that some community owners, including myself, go to considerable lengths to avoid appearing in those documents so not every file is going to list all of the actual human owners.

I tend to lean that way as well and don't mind jumping into the trenches and getting my hands dirty as I'm also a general & manufactured home contractor, manufactured home dealer and developer, real estate broker, investor and property manager.

My other properties I have  donated all have been to Habitat for Humans or local Church's in the area's were the properties were located.  

Some photographs do this to show the whole space but it's deceiving as we do not see like that as humans.