You should only have to change when your current software has a flaw or lacking feature that is causing you to spend too much work on a work-around.

For REP status federally, you must meet two requirements: work 750+ hours in real estate activities and spend more than 50% of your total working hours on these activities during the tax year.

I know when I was an active Broker my SOP  was get listing open escrow with buyer to be determined and order the preliminary title report prior to spending money on marketing someones property..

Your question has been debated between BP tax experts both privately and publicly, for example here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/819991-expens...And we ended up where we started: no consensus and no clarity.There have also been court decisions that support my interpretation, even though I personally find these court decisions debatable.

I would spend a few bucks on nice ads in local magazines and/or do flyers in areas that are higher income. 

The HELOC would act as en emergency way to tap into their equity if needed - as long as they don't spend it unwisely!

Flipping a brand new home likely wouldn’t bring much profit - especially after having to close twice when you first buy it, and later sell it.Maybe you have millions to spend and I’m just missing the big picture… but when I think of “income” I’m usually thinking “net income” after you factor in expenses, like purchase price or building costs?  

Our privately owned and centrally controlled monetary system, known as the Federal Reserve, and the legality of Fractional Reserve Banking is on a crash course for a battle between Freedom (Property Owners) and Royalty (the banks). 

There are certain things that require experience that DIYers just can't get right or spend way too much time trying to do.

Acquiring clients - You need to spend money and a lot of it typically.