A business can own a ton of equipment, all paid for, but if a business was bleeding cash, losing money, it eventually goes under, and all that equity will be lost. 

Also, if your contractors are geared toward "retail", dealing direct with homeowners for additions, kitchens, baths, etc. they will usually be higher priced than those that are more oriented specifically to PM/LL's and less "flashy" finishes or bleeding edge products and materials.Good luck finding a quality PM in your short time remaining Stateside...and Mahalo for your service.Bugs...I hate bugs.

I just really hate lease up fees because its like your bleeding already during turnover and they stick the knife in and twist a little bit.

There were some spots that took more, but I know a few tricks to cut down on the bleed thru that some paints can create.

If he's quoting you that for the bathroom, he's going to try to bleed you on everything. 

I have decent funds, but not to the point where I want to bleed them dry when I have a family and primary residence of my own. 

As for SF itself, rents have dropped from mind-numbing to merely nose-bleed level. 

One thing to note, is I carry a mortgage on my primary residence of $248,000, but have a stupid low rate on it (1.875% ARM 7/1 that is only in year 1) and I just closed on a flip/remodel that I will have a $325,000 mortgage on that I intend to flip within 4 months.I am very new to this, so any tips/tricks on Tax assistance, and how to assess what a property would rent for, would be of great assistance.Leverage will magnify whatever direction you are going.....whether that is building up and growing or if that is bleeding money and losing properties.

You're going to bleed cash for a long time before you make a dime of revenue if you go the fixer route.

@Mark S. well put!!