When starting a house like this, my advice is to not to demo the whole house down but do try to get it as bare bones as you need.

My thinking is that he needs to originate a new $985k construction loan that can be used as follows:1) Pay off the existing $485k loan2) Use the remaining $500k to demo + rebuild the propertyThen you would want to refinance out of the construction loan into a conventional loan that has a lower interest rate than the construction loan.Thoughts?

They have several videos and demos you can watch, as well as they put out regular trainings as well.

Can any or all of the $11,000 demo expense be deducted on our 2022 taxes on Schedule E?

Resurfacing any concrete surface is never the best option, eventually it will tip off, etc...In a situation like this one, the best thing to do, is to demo the existing concrete, build new base and place a new concrete patio, or use other type of material such as brick pavers to build your new patio.

Classifying people you disagree with as idiots is small minded thinking.Full census study:https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2013/demo/wealt...

Fortunately, I found a fantastic demo person that hauled everything away

@Wei Jie Yang we are excited to work with you!

https://la.curbed.com/2019/4/3/18293098/long-beach-rent-control-assistance-city-councilThe city of Long Beach staff created a document which basically follows San Francisco and Los Angeles Rent controls which have actually created less affordable housing as these units are demoed or taken off the market by landlords  Often home owners in rent controlled cities suffer from blighted neighborhoods and increases in crime because gang members cannot be removedTenants together and the Democratic SOCIALIST Party of Los Angeles are joinging with Tenant Unions and Tenant welfare groups.  

Use your buddy's demo hammer...