. $8k won't get you anything in a class B or A market with 20% down or even 10% down. keep going though!

If they're working with a bank/CU, then it's even less.

My question is, do I just use the heavily reduced price I was able to purchase it for since it was vacant, and then the material cost of what I renovated plus what things I did contract out, even though that basis would be way under what the other renovated houses that sold near me per SF sold at, or are you able to use similar comps to determine the depreciation basis?

. - cash flow is difficult now with long term rentals even if you pick markets that have lower purchase prices than Boston.

Insurance is going to protect you financially from lawsuits, damages, total losses, and other scenarios we can't even begin to imagine until it actually happens.You'll want to have a broker you can work with and trust that will make sure you're properly protected in the event of a loss.

The overall LTV (including all 3 mortgages) will be key and your selling point will need to be that the 2nd mortgage ($8k) will burn off in 2.5 years (based on your surprise that it was even out there, I'd recommend that you follow up in 2.5 years and ensure that it's been satisified, so that it doesn't surprise you again in the future).Does the $8k grant vest over the 5 years? 

Also, focus on 2 years of job/income stability.Class D Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, all cashflow with little, maybe even negative, relative rent & value appreciationVacancy Est: 20%+ should be used to cover nonpayment, evictions & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores under 560 (almost 30% probability of default), little to no good tradelines, lots of collections & chargeoffs, recent evictions.

My questions are;Do I have to take expenses as a deduction in a year in which they occurred even if I do not get income until the following year  I have other rental property, but my taxable income on them after expenses is only gonna be about $5000 So is there anyway to roll over expenses to the next year since I cannot deduct the remaining 15,000 and expenses against my W-2 income?

However, it's important to keep swimming even when the current is against you.

They even have awesome free resources as well.