The wolves use the lake as a trail in the winter to move around.No mechanized stuff for us.

They value how it is to live in a home over the infrastructure and mechanical components.

After the dust has settled, you did not benefit from depreciation and did not suffer from depreciation recapture.The above effect exists whether you invest inside or outside a retirement account, same exact mechanics.

What mechanism would be driving such "cycles"? 

Both units were separately metered with all mechanicals in working order, making it an ideal property for investors.

The card has less mechanical fixes, but more usage fixes and costs more, but I think does better long-term since they can load the amount they want.I also agree with @Luan Oliveira in that the best thing that you can do in any small multi is to set laundry days in advance, every other day.

Within the contracts you can set expectations for payment terms, mechanics liens, insurance and warranties.  

This is because it was poorly converted, improperly done, "patched up" over time, and might have mixed up mechanicals etc.

A tenant may only be evicted on this basis if the property is being demolished or if renovations will a) substantially modify or replace a structural, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical system, and require permits, or b) remove unsafe materials, such as lead paint, mold, or asbestos, from the unit.

It does not directly offset it, the mechanics are complex, but you should benefit from the $50k losses, resulting in no additional taxes from the sale.