Looking for any creative input on how something like this could be structured.Taking part of the purchase price of real estate as a charitable donation and using said deduction to lower your taxes is tantamount to sending a cover letter to the IRS with your return requesting an audit.  

This does not align with buying most buildings in cash.Once you progress in your investing efforts you may come across more UHNW individuals, family offices and institutions who would take the lower return for limiting risk (all cash deal).

Is the higher price agent inflating to get the listing or is the lower price agent just not keyed in well enough in the specific neighborhood?

I get a new tenant at a LOWER rent, ALWAYS late, and then ... the septic tank GOES TO HELL

If you're open to purchasing out of state and hiring a property manager, you can find solid single-family rentals in lower cost-of-living markets.

Most users of VRBO have one single 5-star review, thus our threshold is lower. 

When they do, you can refinance to a lower rate.Dealing with current high interest rates (about 7% on 01/27/2025) you have the following choices:A larger down paymentAccept a negative cash flowBuy down the interest rateCombine and balance all three to get an acceptable cash flow today.

Quote from @Mani Sundaresan: If I’m financing a rehab project with a hard money loan, do I still need to issue 1099-NEC forms to my contractors—given that the funds come from a loan, which isn’t taxable income?

It's OK to be more tenacious with negotiating down, and make the most out of a slowing market to buy at lower prices.

Offer a competitive interest rate, but lower than the current rates being paid.