Some costs MAY qualify as startup costs if the rental rises to a qualifying trade or business level under 195 as well.

But, to normalize, the 10-year will eventually trade at a 100-150 bps spread to the FFR.

New construction requirements are for the sole purpose of keeping the trades working, elec, plumbing, mech, siding.

Quote from @Paul Gupta: Hi, in California, For jobs requiring a license, there was CSLB (contractor state licensing board) which would give either a General Contractor license, or specialty licenses by trade (~60 specialties such as concrete, welding tile, ) https://www.cslb.ca.gov/about_us/library/licensing_classific...My Q: does Maryland and DC area have similar requirements? 

This is both a business move and a workforce development initiative, targeting trades as a critical part of economic growth.

Unfortunately, people in the trades are often good at their trade but poor at managing their business.

There's always trade offs when it comes to investing and one of those tradeoffs (if you want to find positive cash flow) is having to be okay with an older house.

Consider investing as a partner or lender with someone in an area such as the Rust Belt that does produce cash flow - but keep in mind that the long-term trade off will likely be less appreciation for that investment.

It’s worth considering the trade-offs between the stability of income and the increased oversight and hoops you'll have to jump through.

While there are certainly opportunities for finding trades and deals in these areas, they’re often pursued by local, mom-and-pop operations.