And don't want to put in irrevocable trust as we may want to sell  in the future.....The only other option I have found is to put house in partnership (wife and I) LLC's name on the basis of this is our "office" and tool/equipment storage for other rentals in a separate LLC (weak if it ever goes to court?)

Not going to be a fun day .I am lucky to a degree , I have the skills , knowledge and equipment to tackle just about all my own repairs .

Worst case a plumber can send a transmitter equipped camera down the line.

Only difference is increased bonus depreciation on equipment, but the theory and methods for everything else remain the same.

I think the federal tax credit for energy star rated equipment is $300 and you get a write off. 

So, maybe the unload/load equipment cost is baked in to the price.  

I've decided to focus on the learning as much as I can about lending/financing options so I'm well equipped when opportunities come.

My understanding/impression is that most of the 15 tenants are in the 700-1500 sq ft. range with the largest space being 2200 sq. ft.The Office Submarket looks as such: Flat capital growth and lease rate growth since the recession13.7% average vacancy rate in submarket 3 star (10.9% across all level properties)Availability rate 13.9%12 month net absorption SF 227kAverage 12 month sales Cap 7.7% (across all star properties)0 new properties under construction or to be delivered in the next 12 months Average lease rates are $22-24 sq. ft (this property is about 21.5-22)Value add (seems to be a stretch but might be):Upgrading interior hallways and exterior for a broader appeal and capital appreciationOffer basic build outs to interested parties (not something the current owners do) Working against the office submarket in North NJ is a declining population.and high property taxes but the 2 star being at the bottom may be better equipped to handle stagnancy.This building is on main road with a15-17k car count a year/ does provide signage is near retail and less than a 1/5 mile off a highway exit and is close to a city center.  

A service or companion animal should be treated, from the landlord's perspective, like a piece of medical equipment.

i can see my wife and i building up our supply of yard equipment, especially if we're living in that property for a year or two. i love the idea of getting a chipper - we have some smaller trees that we need to cut down before they become an issue, and it'd be great to turn them into mulch.we didn't know goats could be rented - sounds like a great idea!