One just need read the law for a very easy understandingThe preceding sentence shall not apply to any foreign taxes described in subsection (a)(3) or to any taxes described in paragraph (1) and (2) of subsection (a) which are paid or accrued in carrying on a trade or business or an activity described in section 212.And then the reference from the above law to IRS Code 212(1) It has been paid or incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year (i) for the production or collection of income which, if and when realized, will be required to be included in income for Federal income tax purposes, or (ii) for the management, conservation, or maintenance of property held for the production of such income, or (iii) in connection with the determination, collection, or refund of any tax; and(2) It is an ordinary and necessary expense for any of the purposes stated in subparagraph (1) of this paragraph.And for even simplified version, just look at the IRS guidance on the subject...What Deductions Can I Take as an Owner of Rental Property?

Previous post uploaded prematurely...third sentence...I have never heard of the VA actually sending someone to ensure that a person was living there and abiding by the residency requirements. 

This is for architectural work only, and does not include the work of the other consultants (structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, etc.).So without having any other information but these several sentences from this architect, what is the best way to evaluate the offer from an architect?

(In response to your first sentence, why is it that I hear it can be done with no money down?

I must have missed the sentence that stated these improvements are not good...

I read through your blog post and was confused on one sentence where you comparing the difference in waiting vs delayed finance. where does the amount $5,757 come from in the following sentenced pulled from you blog:"ARV: $85,00075%: $63,750HUD: $58,553.36Difference: $5,196.64.

To me everything you said lead me to one conclusion, until the last sentence.

I will try to address comments by:• @Terry Lao  concerning vacancy and maintenance factor• @Dan Heuschele concerning including maintenance and vacancy• @David Hodge on where we find properties.Vacancy and Maintenance FactorsIn the post where I specified the formulas we use, the key sentence was, "Note that we do not include a (arbitrary) constant for vacancy rate or maintenance when we compare properties."

A sentence explaining that no work can begin prior to the signing of the contract and the owner receiving a copy of the contract.An arbitration clause for settling disputes, signed by all parties, in 10 point type or larger;"The contractor and the homeowner hereby mutually agree in advance that in the event that the contractor has a dispute concerning this contract, the contractor may submit such dispute to a private arbitration service which has been approved by the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation and the consumer shall be required to submit to such arbitration.

@Aaron Mazzrillo I disagree with the first sentence and agree with the second.