FHA defines luxury items such as outdoor jacuzzis, tennis courts, outdoor kitchens, murals, new swimming pools, and items that are not permanent fixtures such as antennas or satellite dishes.

While you're in the learning/networking maybe phase see if you can get a job helping out in some trades type work with an investor who flips properties instead of washing dishes.  

The property appraiser should be able to update it via Google satellite for total heated sq footage.

On the other hand I have crappy satellite internet-nothing else available here-luckily it is working today.

I leave the password on the fridge and the router with both bands are available for use.I have throttled it down in the past when I only had satellite internet, but I have DSL now so I don't worry about it.

Does anyone have any advice on the feasibility of not classifying the property as an investment property to depreciate or write off expenses such as furniture, dishes, insurance etc, & just collecting monthly rent on your property for a regularly classified home?

@Shawn Ackerman, yes most are in "D"ish neighborhoods (Baltimore has a reputation for a reason), but some are just really distressed Cs.

Trust me, you don't want to have your tenant call to let you know the new kitchen cabinet came off the wall when she put her dishes in it, to find out the contractor you hired didn't screw it into any studs (haha .. yes, it's true .. luckily we no longer work with that contractor but will likely be cleaning up messes for years to come).

It can only get satellite through HughesNet or a similar provider. 

But there's a Satellite meeting every 2nd Monday of the month in Fife.