Apparently you can take the same write offs personally as you can in an LLC, just keep track of expenses diligently and be ready to defend them in an audit, which you should do for an LLC anyway.

-require vet records-require spay/neuter-restrict breed and size if you so desireI would also worry about the ability for the tenant to care for the dog.

Additionally, although I can in no way profess to be an expert, I took classes in law school about real estate transactions and finance, and so some parts of the process are not totally foreign to me.In general, I'm fascinated by the prospect of being my own boss and developing a growing side business that could one day independently sustain me and my family.

I suggest small dogs, most insurance companies want you to keep from vicious breeds anyways.

You may just want to go that route in case the conditions worsen and then you can get them out and not be bound by a term.If you can get some kind of pet fee and increased rent upon lease renewal, I say why not.I would put a pet addendum in the renewal however with name, breed, lbs and sex so the two dogs are documented.  

You can, in some states, add solar to the roof.

When an industry is unregulated, it breeds problems and people getting taken advantage of, so that's why people don't like it.  

Check craigslist etc.. learn the property values in your area and start today putting whatever you can in savings.

(For that matter and in reality, how many of the various Ohio laws - both real estate related and not real estate related - are adjudicated around the state can - in effect -be dramatically different.  

I offer up the help only because I'm new to real estate investing and want to help where I can in the hope other will help me where needed.