Great for personal residence but not for scaling.  

A REAL fixer needs so much work that it doesn't qualify for traditional financing options.

With that said, here is an opinion: You cannot write off anything you use as a personal residence.

@Edgar Duarte Selling now under the primary residence exclusion avoids capital gains taxes, allowing you to reinvest the $500K equity in diversified assets like index funds or additional rental properties.

When it comes to real estate, here's a general list of eligible assets and their depreciable lifespans that you should know: Residential Rental Property = 27.5 yearsThis includes any building or structure where 80% or more of its gross rental income is from residential units.That means:- Apartment buildings- Single-family rental homes- Duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes- Mobile homes (used for residential rental)- Any kind of residential lodging facility where the primary purpose is long-term rentalCommercial Property = 39 yearsThis includes non-residential properties like:-Office buildings-Retail stores and shopping centers-Warehouses-Industrial complexes-Hotels and motels that do not qualify as residential rental propertyLand Improvements = 15 yearsThese include sidewalks, roads, fencing, some landscaping, and parking lots that are separate from the building.Personal Property = 5 or 7 yearsPersonal property used in a rental activity usually has a 5 or 7-year life.This includes most furniture, appliances, carpeting and various machinery.Qualified Improvement Property (QIP) = 15 yearsGenerally, this includes any improvements made to the interior of a non-residential building after the building was placed in service, excluding elevators, enlargements, and the internal structural framework.Computers and Related Peripheral Equipment = 5 yearsVehicles = 5 yearsNote that the land itself is not depreciable.

All the tax deferral of the 1031 and still using it to purchase your next primary residence as well.

@Joshua Piche with little experience, it's better that you invest locally vs OOS - unless you want to invest a LOT of time learning another market and networking with th right people.Locally, look for a 2-4 unit property that will qualify for FHA 203(k) financing. - This will allow low down payment and the 203(k) allows repairs to be financed into the purchase mortgage.- The 203(k) will allow you to bid on properties that need repairs that won't qualify for a traditional mortgage => less competition => better purchase price.You will need to find a great local contractor you can trust to supply the required bids to qualify for the 203(k).- After closing, you can do some of the work yourself to save money, but the program doesn't allow you to pay yourself.You will want to buy a Class B property, maybe Class C+, in an area that seems to be improving.

It’s a good idea to work with a qualified intermediary and a tax advisor to ensure everything is structured properly and you’re clear on any tax implications.

The behavior is a bit off, but not surprising for a mom & pop landlord.We tell our residents exactly what we need from them for the application. 

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.