You may want to consider working with your tax strategist remotely to expand your options.I would also recommend looking for a tax strategist who is willing to work with you throughout the year, not just when preparing your tax return.

Is it recommended to get an inspection done before any serious thoughts on the house?

One of them seems to support what the neighbor is saying, the other seems to support that the neighbor is incorrect and does not own part of my driveway.Any thoughts on strategies to resolve this before I spend $1,000 on a survey?

My Second question is, I have heard a lot about rental arbitrage and I am wanted to know others thoughts on starting with arbitrage while we are going into recession.

Thank you for bearing with me for laying out my thoughts here.

I thought we would qualify for an FHA loan (first time homebuyers here!)

Accounting firms typically have nothing to do with this process unless somehow the title company subcontracted the preparation of the 8288 to them (which really isn’t necessary as it doesn’t require tax expertise, only familiarity with the FIRPTA procedures in general, which any title co who’s worked with a sale by a foreign person would likely know).This is indeed a weird situation and it definitely is unsupported by any authority in the code and regulations to send the withholding tax amount to an accounting firm acting as a middle man for the IRS unless they somehow expressly made an agreement to do so.Good luck with that

I reached out to several lenders about financing this project for the cost and renovation, I was either met with they only go up to 6 units, or the building has to  be occupied,  or that I was too in experience and I ...

A good thought but the IRS sees you coming!

Any thoughts or advice is much appreciated?