Originally posted by @Joe Villeneuve:Food for thought:  $100k loanTerm      Int %       Pmt/month            Total Interest Paid15        3.875         733.44                               32,019.1930        4.5             506.69                               82,404.5740        6.0             550.21                               164,107.5450        7.5             640.23                               284,161.58Joe:  There's more to that meal than initially meets the eye. 

I told my mom the same thing when she said she wants to "be healthier" haha.I've thought about them, but only some specifically.

Majority of people in the US today dont use a formal dining room for much else than once or twice a year meals, or fancy furniture storage.Convert it into a nice office space, it will sell the house more quickly.The average american family has 2.2-2.5 kids, so its a family of 4ish.

It's just a casual get together, no cost but what you pay for your meal.  

When checking the zoning, do not be surprised if you find a distinction between a rooming house (rent rooms only) and a boarding/lodging house (rent rooms and provide at least one meal per day).

I never went to college.. my mother was an alcoholic and I pretty much raised myself..literally.. we barely had a meal on the table every night let alone ever sat down to think about going to or applying to college.. at 21 i started a house cleaning business which is very successful..

They have a lot of business and time is money.I think a fair thing to do is at least cover the broker/agents gas and take them for a meal etc. if you want to look at these places to do market research.One time looking at things for a FEW properties may not be bad but over and over again it doesn't make sense for an agent to do it.

The goal is really just to learn about the tax rules for small businesses - it's beautiful how much cheaper the things like internet, cell phone, gas, cars, meals, etc can be when you're able to deduct them on your taxes....

I still eat most of my meals through a tube because I have not done to well with eating tests.  

Thank you.Incidentally, I'm actually a dual American-Israeli citizen (I was born and grew up in California), so presumably US tax law would apply to me in the same way that it applies to any other US citizen.Yes, certainly I need to speak to a tax expert who specializes in those of us that need to deal with both systems; my question here was merely meant to get some preliminary information, so that I don't waste money and time with simple questions.Next time you're in Israel, drop me a line--I'd love to have you (and your family, if they're with) over for a meal!