Depreciation can enhance your property's cash flow by reducing the amount of income subject to taxation.

Fortunately, cost segregation is a valuable strategy that real estate investors can use to optimize their tax savings and enhance investment returns.

Your taxable profit is based on your cost basis, perhaps enhanced by margin...Similar for real estate. 

Slow process if you purchase a foreclosed home and can have the original owner come back and demand their home back by paying whats owed-- not necessarily what it's worth.Trust Deeds come in more flavors.

I do plan to hold for long term.I am getting mix advice: some said keep things the way they are, sand, and paint the trim, fix sash lock, install insulation strips, while replacing a few exterior sills, and not worry about tenant wanting to open the windows..Then I am told, go ahead and do it as a good feature to attract tenants (new, save energy with ensured/enhanced insulation, utility will be paid by tenant), of course the windows can be opened like they suppose to, less maintenance headache with possible landlord call for window breakdown/issues.

It sounds like you have some minor improvements that could be made (fencing), that would enhance the attraction of the home to a buyer. 

I will not need any income from the portfolio while it is growing.I wish to pick a strategy that uses leverage to (sanely) enhance growth.

Florida FARBAR contract.You also might want to know chapter 475 Florida statutes.Unlicensed brokering is the flavor of the year for new "investors".What is your strategy? 

I love the minimalist approach to staging...gets the job done enhancing the space without breaking the bank.

You can't fund until you have a deal, but once you have a deal it's too late to find funds...What you do is line up the funding: get a private investor or bank that agrees to a flavor of deal. i.e.