It's like going on a first date while wearing a paper bag over your head... 

If the value tanks, which is a real possibility, then you're holding the bag.

This was based on a 20 year projection, replacing the doors and trim with a similar craftsman quality (not exact replica), and what I might expect extra in rent along the way (not much, maybe $25-$50 a month tops in this market) - however, the labor is on me, and that can get expensive with the wrong crew. 

Should I bag the whole idea and just toss our savings into Silver??  

These are great tips I can put in my tool bag for future purchases.

If you received $ in rent or for products you sold, that $ could be taxable even if you used all of it for principle on a property or to buy more product inventory to resell.The Treasury doesn't want a door or window from your property or a bag of widgets that you sell. 

One thing to be careful of, is buying at the top and getting stuck holding the bag if the market corrects itself at all.Buying a SFH is normally a money pit for people. 

Talk is cheap and you are the one holding the bag....not them.

For the most part Craigslist is riffled with scum bags, wanna be wholesalers with no idea what is going on and just overall insanity.

Or do you show it to prospective tenants before you clean it (with used furniture, garbage bags, smells, and overall suggestion that the landlord may not give a damn about the upkeep by any tenant?)