Quote from @Joe Villeneuve: So what was the lesson? 

I assume the $1,500 was charger and labor?

I suspect they are better run than the average joe who is marketing their 20 unit apartment on facebook as an investment syndication.

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

Hey @Joe S.

Quote from @Joe S.: That’s a pretty jam up article. 

Quote from @Joe Homs: @Rochelle Gerber yes about ten years ago and never looked back. 

However, finishing the basement for $25,000 when cash flow is already tight may not offer a sufficient return on investment (ROI) unless you’re confident it will significantly raise occupancy or rates.Pros:Potential to increase the property’s rental appeal and income.DIYing the basement could save on labor costs.Cons:Upfront costs and time investment.The additional space may not increase STR income enough to justify the expense.5.

I want to slow my life down a bit and enjoy the fruits of my labors (I had cancer a few years ago and I acknowledge my time to enjoy life is finite).It occurred to me that I should just cash-out refinance my properties that are fully stabilized and that have significant equity, but that can also easily support the new debt incurred. 

China is natural resource poor and dependent on the rest of the world to fill that void, and with cheap labor drying up they will lose some ground on the manufacturing side.