Here are the new rental laws in California for 2024.

First I follow the law , it allows me 1/3 down .

In Phoenix, a 1996 build is practically brand new when compared to a WWI-era home in Cleveland or Pittsburgh or some other Midwest or East coast city.While I agree that older homes come with more problems, buying something newer may not work as the price will be higher and won't cash flow as well.I'm of the mindset to buy what fits your budget and investment goals.

The end goal is to have a piece of land with multiple houses: one for my growing family but also a home for my mother in law.My mother in law has agreed to foot the money on a new property/land up front and when ready we can buy land from her to build/develop etc. 

There are certain areas and strategies for that (and city laws you should be aware of).

It is standard practice and component level depreciation is encouraged by the IRS.Though it is very important to track you time as you go along.

There have been sweeping changes in L/T laws in NYS in the last 5 years. 

Negotiating is a skill that needs to be practiced and consistently role played to get right.

From what I see all the people answering to me here (and there are so many) are just coming against and refusing to agree with my simple statement: "a landlord is not above the law or norms by its personal choice or presumed capability to judge what he don't know" or as well "a landlord cannot deny or miscarriage a service to a stranger without a known valid reason and at the same time pretend to be operating professionally or loyally to the moral"Basically I'm telling if you are not able to do your business correctly it would be better to find someone else than you, mainly when your ideas about "squatter" or fair treatment are coming from ignorance or completely invented. 

Obviously, they have no intention of following the law & I wouldn't count on them to adhere to your lease provisions, either.Don't get me wrong - I love dogs & my pit (who went through the big doggie door in the sky many years ago) was the best dog, ever!