My wife Brenda and I did an extensive amount of work on our first house which turned into a huge project and found out that this is something we like to do. 

The Private Lender was comfortable with this as his loan as less that 50% LTV and he knows our past history and performance. 

If you inherit an IRA, look in to Ed Slott and read about stretch IRAs to see if it makes sense for you.

Most of it is never used when performing the duties of an agent, the vast majority at least in CA was memorizing terms such as styles of roof, types of financing, types of easements etc. 

In my case it was not a big job, just an extension, fixing a wall and electricity.

In my experience as an agent, and also an investor, only about 5% of the agents are creative, resourceful and determined to find their investor clients solid performing deals. 

But remember: "Past performance is not indicative of future performance"!

No, you cannot, there're very specific rules against it, despite the YouTube webinars encouraging you to deduct them (the symphony players lost a court case against the IRS trying to deduct their performance tuxedos)and so on.I know it's tempting to think you're sticking it to the IRS, but in the end they will stick it to you.

My 3-unit in the West Ward performs at a 20+ CoC.

Since I live in Raleigh, I do not know much about the area and I'm hoping to find a connection to discuss the area that these properties are located.  2 of the homes are currently rented and the other is probably going to need extensive work or tear down.