Sounds like I can safely write them off only after I purchase the rental and start the renovations to ultimately rent it out.

So, those of us who ask the correct question can safely ignore the "velocity" part of trying to pay off our low interest rate mortgage, in favor of putting any extra money we have into buying extra assets that (also) return a higher interest rate / appreciation (just like our primary has already been doing).HELOCs help us do that, so why are you in hurry to have zero balance owing? 

You might have to dig into off-market deals, though, since inventory is tight.Multi-Family: Always a safe bet if you can snag a good deal.

If STR, what about MTR, or LTR as a fail safe?

@Fareen E. as long as you don't violate Fair Housing and are CONSISTENT, you can do whatever.If you require an ID from EVERYONE, you are safe.

Probably 8%+ mortgage interest at 40% down to make a safe assumption.

There are also a lot of foreign investors looking to park cash since US real estate is considered very safe on a global scale.

Its a safe place to park money.

I recommend that you stay on the safe side and do send 1099s to your wholesalers.You do not need to send 1099-NEC in these cases:You paid the contractor electronically (more on this below)You paid the person a total of less than $600 during 2023Payments for purchasing all kinds of goods, materials, and property, including real estate itselfThe person who worked for you is a corporation, and you made payments to his corporation.

Only place I felt "safe" in CA was on base.