Repairs made while the property is your primary residence are not deductible, but improvements can increase your cost basis, reducing future capital gains tax when you sell.

Went a bit heavy on the annual taxes due to the increase in the area the past few years.

I was chatting with some of my lending buddies at big banks and they are all backing away from the CRE space including office because operating costs are increasing more quickly than rents.

That will most probably be offset by an increase in new mortgage costs and increased rates. 

When you save up enough capital, slowly increase your portfolio.

With some changes to the management structure and leadership, I believe we can significantly increase the revenue potential while providing a positive impact.

Some strategies to get around are:1. leverage your current portfolio and buy in cash, increase value, and then refi2. buy Multi-family so your ratios aren't the main factor to lenders3. get in with a lender for high net worth individuals4.

I've been gradually increasing rent.

Gave the other tenants a smaller 250 increase and fixed up attic space to rent as storage.

Also if you get signed up for Pro it locks you in at that price and you are not subject to further price increases.