If you want to prove you materially participate in your rental business, notes are a good source of evidence to support.

@Russell Brazil they are still hoping to have the value changed so they can prove they have more equity in the property than originally thought based off the incorrect appraisal.

@Stan MaysEither get in touch with a local realtor that knows the market well or study recently sold properties on Zillow and realtor.com to see what properties have sold for in your area and what sort of finishes they had.

Can they prove how long it takes to rent a vacant property?

You’ve studied, you’ve run the numbers hundreds of times but you likely don’t have someone who has seen it and done it before reassuring you that you’re correct.

Guys,There are opportunities everywhere only if we take our time to study the market. 

See about getting a copy of the "Reserve Study". - Any upcoming Special Assessments. - Use restrictions (as with any HOA). 

So you just proved the only point I was trying to make. 

Tax software does a pretty good job, but studying up on what is recognized as incurred and what needs to be capitalized and depreciated is a good use of time.

In the meantime, read, study, practice, learn.....