It's great to have the advantage of tax deductions when you're self employed but you can't burn the candle at both ends if you want a conventional loan.

Work RE on your off hours and burn the candle at both ends.

I think it is a good idea to see where you can cut some expenses but personally I would caution you from getting too extreme (Rice and beans in a cold dark house while you both watch the moths bounce off the flames of the candles for entertainment)  :)One thing about real estate is it is a relationship business.

The tenants had to vacate and take every candle/aerosol/flammable item with them. 

I burned the candle at both ends for years and ended up with acid reflux from the stress I was putting my body through doing all the work myself while working a day job.  

The other reasons are I don't have the time to be the baker, the candle stick maker, the butcher and the accountant. 

Every review of my listing cites the decor and uniqueness of our property, which is tiki themed.Mine isn’t crazy, but my wife built a 10’ tall plant wall, we have dozens of tiki masks everywhere, fake birds in cages, a diving helmet, vintage pieces, handmade art, and every room is tied to the theme of the property.on the flip side, in my super competitive STR market, I see a lot of future listings hitting the MLS because they aren’t adapting to changes in the market, and the changing demographics of who is visiting.

Just keep flashlights and candles around?

During the walk-through, they lit many candles.

And we're not the brightest candle on the cake.