Investments don't go up in value in a linear fashion like an IRR/NPV formula might suggest.Take bitcoin for example.

The trade off is that the prices will be up. $160k in FL, you will have to leverage and furnish.

I am looking for several contractor recommendations for these specific trades in the Raleigh/Durham areas: Plumbing, Electrical, Roofing and Drywall.

@Lauren Keen I am not sure one way or the other if you can take the deduction since I don't have all the facts, but I can tell you that the real estate professional designation is not a requirement to take the home office deduction with respect to a rental activity.There is nothing in §280A (the home office section in the tax code) that mentions being a real estate professional is required in order to take the home office deduction for your rental activity.However, in addition to the rules regarding the space itself, there is the requirement that the taxpayer's rental activities rise to the level of a trade or business, which the Treasury has conveniently never defined for us.But it seems that rental activities would rise to the level of a trade or business if the activities are substantial, regular, and continuous.However, there is a case, Curphey v.

But make sure that the realtor you're thinking of is really up to the task and can walk the walk.Otherwise, a reduced commission in exchange for less hassle isn't a bad trade off. 

Chris--The answer to this question really depends on the cost of the business truck you now want to use for personal purposes and the cost of the inexpensive car you would buy for personal tasks to avoid 179 recapture.To back up, you will have Section 179 recapture if the use of the truck is 50%+ used for purposes other than in your trade or business for the current tax year.

., you are the first that asks me how do I crunch the numbers.I'm in accounting and finance by trade, so all I do every day is numbers. 

@Adam Webb Without knowing the details of your market, if there is such a wide disparity, you are better engaging in a simple arbitrage trade (as you've pointed out) and buying duplexes all day long. 

You trade time for money.

Usually not lol but I learned a ton and wouldn't trade it for anything cause now I know what I'm talking about and can carry on a conversation with a contractor who can respect my opinion.That's my 2 cents.