I am not saying jump in blindly, but do some research and go out and start taking some action and ask specific questions here about the issues that trip you.

There is a lot more to consider for an investment than the expected initial cash flow and it does a disservice to potential investors to blindly push them into the perceived highest initial cash flow investment as the sole factor to consider.

Ma I think the tax exemptions are for things other then owner occupancy-e.g. old,blind or disabled.

Some of us are blinded by real estate and we lose sight of our centrism.

I, personally don't have a problem with turning a blind eye on the matter.

I look at it as practice talking on the phone to people so when something eventually does come along, I'm not as nervous as I have experience blindly reaching out and talking to owners.

Taxpayers become completely ineligible when they pass $80,000 and $165,000 respectively.Deductions in 2018Single taxpayers and married couples filing separately get a standard deduction of $6,500 in 2018, up from $6,350 in 2017.The standard deduction is $13,000 for married couples filing jointly, up from $12,700 in the prior year; and for heads of households, the standard deduction is $9,550, up from $9,350 in 2017.The standard deduction for a taxpayer who can be claimed as a dependent by another taxpayer is a maximum of whichever figure is greater: $1,050 or $350 plus the dependent’s earned income.The additional standard deduction for the aged and blind is $1,300.

As @Jake Hottenrott mentioned I want to look for value and not necessarily price - but at the same time I don't want to blindly pay $$ upfront. 

Although I’m still finding my way in this world of real estate, it’s always been a welcome surprise at how generous folks have been when I’ve reached out blindly.

That led me down the path of researching the ingredients that make up an affordable, safe, and EXPLOSIVE rental market.Picking the right market will:-Ensure that you get positive cashflow on your deals-Have a high likelihood of great appreciation over the long run-Protect your investments during a downturn due to less recession in the immediate area-Give you a thriving community to plug into to help you learn the ropes and meet the right people-And much moreDon't be blinded by a house that's only 20K but it's in a small, rural town.Price isn't everything.That house will be hard to renovate, keep rented, and manage in a town like that.