Everyone thinks they can paint but there's a big difference between a professional paint job and a non-professional one (the latter usually actually damages the property instead of improving it). 

You will be required to get a foundation inspection report on top of an appraisal and you are required to pay for both.That is why I said make sure you do your research because if you pay for an appraisal or foundation inspection report and its not within guide lines you will have just wasted anywhere from $650 to $1000.00 non refundable.  

Educating yourself about common property maintenance processes doesn’t mean you have to become an expert, but even a basic understanding of repairs like plumbing or lead testing can go a long way in helping you make more informed decisions.It’s also worth discussing with your property manager how they select and negotiate with contractors.

You’re paying $70k in “non-deductible” interest in exchange for less deductible interest. 

When it comes to real estate, here's a general list of eligible assets and their depreciable lifespans that you should know: Residential Rental Property = 27.5 yearsThis includes any building or structure where 80% or more of its gross rental income is from residential units.That means:- Apartment buildings- Single-family rental homes- Duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes- Mobile homes (used for residential rental)- Any kind of residential lodging facility where the primary purpose is long-term rentalCommercial Property = 39 yearsThis includes non-residential properties like:-Office buildings-Retail stores and shopping centers-Warehouses-Industrial complexes-Hotels and motels that do not qualify as residential rental propertyLand Improvements = 15 yearsThese include sidewalks, roads, fencing, some landscaping, and parking lots that are separate from the building.Personal Property = 5 or 7 yearsPersonal property used in a rental activity usually has a 5 or 7-year life.This includes most furniture, appliances, carpeting and various machinery.Qualified Improvement Property (QIP) = 15 yearsGenerally, this includes any improvements made to the interior of a non-residential building after the building was placed in service, excluding elevators, enlargements, and the internal structural framework.Computers and Related Peripheral Equipment = 5 yearsVehicles = 5 yearsNote that the land itself is not depreciable.

I am no expert by any means but I thought I would drop my opinion here. 1) Should I focus on duplex since they're most likely less expensive in my area in category A or B properties, or aim for more units?

I'm expert at retail leasing and sales and commercial contract management. 

Some of Invelo's features include:- List Builder- CRM with different databases for prospects, leads, and deals- Advanced marketing with direct mail, ringless voicemail, email and custom sequences- The most advanced skip tracing- REI video training series + expert-led masterclasses- Facebook communityand so much moreAs the founder of Invelo, my team and I are here to answer any questions about the platform.

From there, work with a reliable cash-out refinance partner to continually access your equity, allowing you to keep non-taxable cash on hand for future investments.

Im not a tax expert but it seems like this would be an important distinction as the fundamental structure of the financing is different and dictates who is earning interest income.