Just got my return back from him, so I'm going to spend some time figuring out exactly how he categorized everything so I can do it more cleanly in the future.My understand is that the improvements you make before its rent ready go into the basis.

I saw on your profile you mentioned door knocking about the same I had mentioned above.I agree with different strokes for different folks, some people are passive some are aggressive and it doesn't mean 1 is better than the other...........Melissa, there were some other suggestions made in the previous posts that may fit your personality as a passive person, I think the most important thing you should take from this is what has also been mentioned which is consistency will pay off, keep us informed as you progress.

I would incorporate improvements that would save my tenants money.

Dan,I am very knowledgable and experienced in the SDI field and can help you.There are a few legal and ethical strategies you can do to improve your financial situation outside of the IRA, using the IRA funds.You can not buy a home with your IRA and live in it (except for only ONE way), even if you create an LLC and use your forementioned idea.

If you are soley advertising yourself as an investor/agent, than a wordpress blog may be sufficient as it creates more of a "profile" for yourself.

However, I don't think that the question was asked because it was needed to complete the deal, rather, if the buyer could "improve" his position.

Then be able to negotiate with the buyer showing him/her why the economy is about to improve and now is the best time to move on this deal.Of course, the economy is just one of the negotiating tools to be used and I mention it only because it is what is in the forefront of the media these days.

I have two paid in full properties that are needing financing for improvements.

BTW - Please consider uploading a personal image so you stand out a little better than everyone else using the default profile avatar.

This is what I would recommend if I was starting my REI journey from the beginning: Read Brandon Turner's book on Rental Property Investing https://www.amazon.com/Book-Rental-Property-Investing-Passive-ebook/dp/B018UTI2DOListening to the BP Real Estate podcast https://www.biggerpockets.com/podcastListening to the BP money podcast https://www.biggerpockets.com/moneyshowAttend your local REIA meetings to network (search for your area https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521-events-and-happenings)Start analyzing deals to get practiceEngage more on the BP forumsPost a profile pic :)All the best!