Either way its so refreshing to hear this work for others in this forum as opposed to people saying they are savages and need to be treated like animals.

You can deduct the cost of labor and parts to maintain or repair your business assets, as long as the expense doesn’t prolong the useful life of the asset or increase the value of the asset.Tangible Property Repair Expenses That Are Deductible:Replacement of LightingRoof repairsResurfaced external or interior floorsResurfaced parking lotsInterior or exterior paintingReplacement of doors and windowsRekey locks

I am thinking since I want to continue my real estate journey if I should buy a duplex and just live in it and rent the other half out as opposed to buying a single family. can a single family home that you live in be considered an investment at all?

Opposed to buying used one at retail. 

It depends what your goals are, but I'm inferring that this is a comfort/long term investment as opposed to a quick flip.

The property is a REO Occupied home that we could not inspect prior to bidding and only had one photo of a really bad exterior.

The quoted exterior price per pier (concrete) ranged from $225 - $375 per pier.

The photos online won't be of much use to you as the photos where the money spend is at are in the basements, attics, and the exterior of the house, and every corner of those if that helps.

Currently exploring the suburbs as opposed to the Chicago neighborhoods. 

Siding & Exterior Trim12.