Repairs made while the property is your primary residence are not deductible, but improvements can increase your cost basis, reducing future capital gains tax when you sell.

I was chatting with some of my lending buddies at big banks and they are all backing away from the CRE space including office because operating costs are increasing more quickly than rents.

When you save up enough capital, slowly increase your portfolio.

Some strategies to get around are:1. leverage your current portfolio and buy in cash, increase value, and then refi2. buy Multi-family so your ratios aren't the main factor to lenders3. get in with a lender for high net worth individuals4.

With some changes to the management structure and leadership, I believe we can significantly increase the revenue potential while providing a positive impact.

I've been gradually increasing rent.

But you do have the room sharing.. in Cupertino were you have a huge Asian population I know folks that will put two computer kids in each room for 4 bed house 8 techies and each paying 1k to 1500 a month.. can just about make it work since the houses are 2 mil. 

That will most probably be offset by an increase in new mortgage costs and increased rates. 

Gave the other tenants a smaller 250 increase and fixed up attic space to rent as storage.

That may increase your cost or limit the coverage you can get.The Year that the following were updated (either partially or fully) would be good to know:- Heating systems- Roof- Plumbing- electricalSome companies will not write properties with systems that have not been updated.As long as you are living there, the proper policy for a 1-4 family is a "Homeowners" policy.