Uses that also target the business incubator residents/visitors and remote workers might work, e.g. many years ago I'd thought about doing a sort of subscription-based co-working space - something of that sort may do well initially, but may be much more successful in about 5 years as the area continues to redevelop.Current resident population within 1/2-mile is lower-income.

I'm trying to figure out if I can get some sort of rider from the company to include them but otherwise it leaves me very vulnerable if someone brings in an ESA. 

Rents are pretty high in Baltimore ($1500- $1700 for this sort of home).

I'm not aware of any other real-estate related options, and outside of having a business of some sort to have write-offs, I only know of the traditional things like maxing out retirement contributions and such.  

Agreed that maybe 1/1000 times you'll have some sort of issue with an appraiser and there is a proper way to do things by the book.

Rest assured if that happens you won't have to inquire about that one they stay pretty on top of that sort of thing. in our area even with an increase they tend to trail market rents at least double digits. 

Also, any sort of inspections, appraisals, and paperwork fees are not going to be refunded to you.My advice is to read thoroughly through your contract and take notes of the contingencies and see if there are any specifics in which you can leverage yourself out of the contract, legally of course.

I haven’t spoken to lenders because I assumed since I didn’t have any sort of future investment to present to them, what is there I could talk to them about and what exact lenders I need to be speaking to. 3.

If you provide the proper usage for the property at the time of application there shouldn't be that sort of exclusion.Overall your point about making sure you have appropriate rather than "cheap" coverage is one I agree with wholeheartedly. 

That can cause all sorts of tax issues.