.: I’m currently renovating a rental property and exploring ways to manage costs without compromising on quality.

While under contract, we perform due diligence and there will be some soft costs incurred. 

Sometimes the closing costs from the auction are HIGHER than expected.

Even still, it could be said that I've still lost money due to my time on the tools instead of prospecting as a real estate agent (the cost of lost opportunity).If you can truly do 80%-90% of the work yourself (at acceptable quality levels) and you aren't sacrificing your time where you can get better returns for your efforts, then yes, it can work even up here in Canada.

I have been in Milwaukee WI for quite a while as investing in my backyard in NY is cost prohibitive. good luck on your journey!!!! 

Costs before that (during remodeling) are added to the basis.2.

How much would that cost?

If I were to purchase an Airstream to use as lodging while I travel across the US to my rental properties, make repairs, and perform lease turnovers, would I be able to not only deduct fuel and campground costs but also depreciate the purchase price across 5 years? 

You magically get the seller to cover every single closing cost (A $12k gift, or a trick to get you to buy their problem.).

Anything you do remote will come at a cost of operational inefficiencies and a higher cost of doing business.