I'm not sure if you're only looking for in-person @Byron Broughten, but the BP real estate podcast recently has had a couple of tax people on with their own practices.

When all these ridiculous SEO "experts" will tell you to go check keyword volume and keyword this and that...

I always thought (maybe incorrectly) that if you're sued, the opposing side will be after your real estate, not your cash, unless you have a real high pile of cash.Finally, from a practical angle, I'm unsure how you would use two operational accounts (one per unit) for each property when most of the expenses for a duplex are shared.

Are there best practices in dealing with them?

If you want to be practical, you just deduct it.

There was an opportunity to get a turnkey property and the numbers would of worked but I didn't feel like i was getting a good deal as there was practically no negotiation it was a take it or leave it situation at THERE PRICE!

In any event, practice your presentation, ask the right questions, determine the pressure points, and close the deal.Like in all sales situations, you've got to make your presentation in front of ALL the principals, hit their hot buttons, and be prepared to kiss a lot of frogs.Good Luck!

Most would find that to be a very shady practice. 

They're practical, cost-effective and can either be discarded or repaired depending on the damage without much effort or expense.Having a uniform appearance is nice particularly if you're handy and/or self managing as you don't have to keep extra materials around for each property but rather a small inventory of items that can address a repair in any unit (i.e. an extra plank, a can of paint, a knob or handle, etc).I say find a hardware store you like best, sign up for whatever incentives they offer and build your list out from there.

So with that said I figured I'd drop some out of state best practices for you to keep in mind as they should help you reduce risk no matter where you're investing.Don't buy in the roughest neighborhood in the urban core.