So the advice on what to do with $20K doesn't quite apply. 

Then progress to permits and then building.You could also just do it and hope the city doesn't notice, which they probably won't.Your challenge will be getting Certificates of Compliance on the units!

Unless I'm mistaken, the contract between owner/landlord and PadSplit doesn't have a defined monthly rent but a target/goal of monthly income (so it's hard to use that as lease).

An LLC doesn't make a difference in your federal taxes or what you can deduct.What you want to do is technically possible, but there are several hurdles. 

I know her prediction doesn't state today, but for activity to jump in February and then again in May to June that doesn't appear to be in a common volume trend of a "normal" year if that exists anymore!

. - Just lowering the rent really doesn't do that.

It doesn't make sense as a first investment, especially when your main reason is because you "enjoy speaking Spanish and salsa dancing".

If the trade value of an old shopping mall is less than the build cost of a new storage space or warehouse, then it doesn't make sense to build a new storage space or warehouse, just buy an old shopping center.

Hello Mike, It is nearly impossible to answer this question without taking a deep dive on the numbers of each but often times in expensive markets like Seattle the cost of construction is so high that it doesn't make sense to tear it down unless you can build something way bigger/nicer.

NY is a very tenant friendly state, so if he doesn't leave and she's on a month to month.