I have made my own list of leads as well with some properties that I find vacant, probate, tax lien. but have only helped an out of state realtor on a deal a yr ago. and 2025 I would like to have the right people to go to with questions and or properties when I talk/find home owners that are willing to get rid of the property as well. 

He can probably recommend a civil engineer that works on smaller projects like this (mine are all engineers working on larger developments not residential) and can likely take the lead on the permit process for you. 

Our lender has informed us that we need 12 months of rental history to use the actual rent for financing purposes, or we must rely on the appraiser's fair market short term rental value.

While technically business purpose loans, these will still basically be 30yr (or whatever tenor) fixed rate mortgages.

., for estate purposes), that value would serve as your basis. 

This stark contrast leads me to question the legitimacy of the program and its purported benefits.In conclusion, my experience with James' mentorship program, particularly through the actions of Kristin Witherspoon, has left me disillusioned and skeptical.

Also factor in if the rents jumped a lot and if that would lead to a vacancy, which will cost you more in the short term. 

Not all inquiries are good leads.

The tax advantages of buying/holding gas stations are pretty great.Many of the components of gas stations including pumps, tanks, external parking areas, and other equipment are classified as either 5 or 15 year property so you can bonus depreciate a lot of it (minus the land value) and get significant deductions in year 1.With the 2025 bonus depreciation rate at 40%, a $1 million gas station acquisition could still lead to $100K+ in year 1 deductions depending on the specifics of your deal.

If you are passive in those rentals (not real estate professional for tax purposes which requires 750 hours of real estate), and your Modified Adjusted gross income is over $150,000, then the cost seg is not actually going to save you any taxes.