I don't pay for an Accurint or TLO membership - instead I pay a reseller 20-25 cents to perform searches on my behalf.

To start off I have a couple of questions...Can I deduct my BiggerPockets membership?

I've joined the memberships of the self storage members in particular states that I want to own them or that are popular.  

Yep, that's a lot of work.Building a site, who's sole purpose is to gather contacts (aka buyer's / seller's lists) without providing substantive content, IMO is foolish today, as most people are afraid of identity theft and scamming by phone or email.Just like membership here at  BP, contributors are the ones that get leads.

Your Pro membership allows you to post in the Marketplace that you're looking for a PM.

"If we can settle on a price I'll transfer my yearly wine membership to your family!"

Get a Costco membership!

I don't get it either...I do have a 401K myself that owns membership shares in an apartment complex, invests in hard money notes and peer to peer lending so it does get a check every month. 

Either way, your initial contribution would be added to your basis in the membership interest, which is not currently deductible (read as: no you cannot "cancel out" the income from the distribution).

Connecting with members who have a pro membership have a higher tendency so be more serious and provide you a good recommendation.3.