Hi @Mallory Jakiel, Welcome to Bigger Pockets.The devil is ALWAYS in the details with real estate tax questions, so this response is VERY generic - but generally there would be no difference in the tax treatment in your two scenarios.

California has Prop 13, generic national calculations aren't useful here.

Are you more likely to remember someone or look them up if the spend the extra money to make their cards stand out over the generic $20/1000 cards, or do you think that all cards are created equally? 

I usually order from yellow letters complete and either go for their generic yellow letter (handwritten address, but printed letter) or printed post cardgood luck!

When I've heard him speak his advise seems super generic and vague.

Just forget forget some generic rule and look at the bigger picture and efficient strategies :)

If you advertise in a class C/D neighborhood, maybe use a generic for rent sign from a big box hardware store.

During the pre-P&S I received a generic pro forma, but I questioned some of the expenses on the report and want to make sure I'm doing the proper due diligence. 

I can't do a generic wholesale contract, since it's not seller-buyer direct, there's an agent.

I've thought about giving away something free for an open house, a free weekend away in Aspen if you close within 21 days, hookers with viagra (OK, that was a thought that came into my head, but not a real one haha) ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!