@Stephen KunenProviding substantial services to your hosts provide suggestions that you should report it as schedule C as opposed to schedule E.Substantial services include but not limited toConcierge, meals, housekeeping, cleaning, entertainment etc.A pro of reporting it on schedule C is that losses are deductible and not subject to passive activity rulesA con is that income will also be subject to self-employment taxes in addition to income taxes.

All of these things can make a difference what the seller is disclosing and what they are warranting or saying they knew about.I agree that flying there is not going to make you immediately an expert on the subject especially the cost from so far away with hotel room and board,flight cost, meals,etc.Spend that money on the attorney who specializes in litigation.

Have a reputable title company do a title search, if you need one PM also, I would absolutely get ahold of a RE Attorney, offer them a free meal and pick their brain, may take a few tries or some cash but that is invaluable.

I am taking the Meals & Incidental Expenses related to the trip, but wondering if I can also take the lodging deduction. 

It may cover a hotel bill and meals temporarily until the repairs are done.

If you've got multiple properties, do this full time, manage your own and generally run it like a business (ie, you take deductions for meals, mileage, phone, internet, etc.... beyond just "investment" expenses), then I'd argue that you're running it as a business and should 1099.But really, when in doubt, 1099. 

So far I have 1099, Advertising & Marketing, bank charges & Fees, Capital Expenses (for remodels) Car & Truck, Contractor, depreciation, donations, Employee benefits, insurance, interest paid, inventory assets, job supplies, legal &professional services, loans/points, meals & entertainment, office expenses, Rent & lease, repairs & maintenance, salaries & wages, taxes & licenses travel, utilities.

@Mark BroganThe IRS tax reform made many updates to the "entertainment" portion of meals and entertainment.In years past - you can take employees, contractors for a meal and deduct it so long as business was discussed during before or after the meal.Now that is disallowed starting in 2018.There are some workarounds but its harder to do it with contractors.

If the meal had a business purpose, then there's no reason why you couldn't deduct it. 

I can also get a burger with meal at a sit down place for 10 dollars that is about 90% as good as the 30 dollar burger and very satisfying.