I'm a guy approaching middle-age, living in Chicago.

This travel expense is not a business expense related to the property you already own until you have identified the next property you want to buy (once identified, costs are added to the basis mentioned above).

Quote from @Jay Hinrichs: @Don Konipol    Don this relates to your thread we were talking about this morning.this is the highest risk stuff I do.. but I mitigate it pretty well or at least I think I do..

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

The market's robust economic and employment growth, significant population expansion, and the area's relative housing affordability make it one of the best real estate investment markets in the country.

For a rule of thumb, replacing a commercial boiler can range anywhere from $20k to $150k, depending on the size, age, and efficiency.

So the places we all encounter that don't even have a wheelchair ramp at the entrance (at the appropriate incline, etc), even though it would be relatively easy to put in, aren't compliant (envision a storefront set back 10 feet from the sidewalk).

Best to call city hall for the town you are buying in to see what if any rent control rules are in place. see link below if you require additional information and call the Jersey City Landlord Tenant relations office. https://www.jerseycitynj.gov/cityhall/HousingAndDevelopment/...Jersey City CPI chart on recommended rent increases: https://cdnsm5-hosted.civiclive.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server...The state with the highest eviction rate in the country right now is South Carolina. 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Since they needed renovations, he invested roughly $30,000 per property to make them rent-ready—bringing his total investment to $110,000 per unit.Once rented, he quickly encountered issues: non-payment, eviction filings, constant repairs, and tenant-related damages.