As a start up building firm, a business plan with a worst case, best case, most likely case financial scenario played out for a seven year term into the future- will probably reward you with more specific dollar amounts that you could potentially earn, then simply picking large dollar amounts and asking how do I get to these figures from this small borrowed amount I have.

I don't see a home gym as any sort of additional liability, provided that you have machines that are relatively idiot proof and are not inherently dangerous.

I have had cash tenants and Sect. 8 that display that sort of mindset and usually you can see it in the screening process.....as soon as I see it, I am able to gracefully slip out of the conversation and go a different direction.   

Remember this is the worst they will ever be, these things are getting rapidly better.

Verifying last 2 years of rental history and income extremely important to find the “best of the worst”.Make sure you understand the Class of properties you are looking at and the corresponding results to expect.What else can we assist you with?

"The worst kind of Business is a Partnership."

Would sec 8 decrease the rent to the calculated fair market value of rent or at worst case scenario remain the same and sec 8 decline the increase?

Anything that is almost guaranteed to be used daily in your rentals (i.e. couches, bed, chairs), I'd try to invest in as much quality as you can for those specific items.Some store sites will let you filter for "contract grade" or "commercial grade" items - these are the sorts of furnishing that get put into higher-use commercial applications such as hotel lobbies, apartment building amenity spaces, etc. 

I was previously told that only the owner could make any sort of deal before auction, since the attorney doesn't represent them.I find this all very fascinating.

Their owner statement is a nightmare to sort it.