I'm having an extremely difficult time finding current multi-family units in the area and may resort to this strategy if it's practical.Thank you in advance for any advice. 

@Luz Pagan this is pretty typical in a hot market if you are a new player on the scene. 

I feel that im getting to know the larger players in the market by doing that. 

There are more resorts here than anywhere, golfing galore, great weather (most of the year) low taxes, a big hole in the ground called The Grand Canyon, skiing, (yes an 11,000 ft mountain for skiing) we have more peaks than Colorado I'm told, great hiking both in the desert and in the mountains, exquisite restaurants, nice people, good roads, lots of activities, and we are only hours away from the ocean.

No, you cannot, there're very specific rules against it, despite the YouTube webinars encouraging you to deduct them (the symphony players lost a court case against the IRS trying to deduct their performance tuxedos)and so on.I know it's tempting to think you're sticking it to the IRS, but in the end they will stick it to you.

The Columbus market has been crazy and I know a large number of OOS investors are testing the waters, so just make sure you are ready to move or you will find your calls go unreturned as A players don’t have the time.

NEWS: I just got the fee reduced to $55 per player now.

I do get peeved when people get needlessly personal or resort to unfortunate short cuts.I will post links to references cited as well as a few other useful cases & articles.Bottom line, as I stated before (and still open for logical refutation, I want to know if I am in fact mistaken):- Most taxpayers with 2+ rentals that are not triple-net leased should qualify as a TB-Many taxpayers with 1 rental that is not triple net leased may qualify-Delegation counts, even if the taxpayer is completely “passive”-Pass-through from partnerships/S-Corps/certain kinds of trust should count

Of course building large apartment complexes is a big endeavor, but if there are a lack of apartments, I bet renters would love some nice quads nearby built by smaller players.

But save this as a last resort.