We had already been planning to do some maintenance and repairs (repave driveway, re-insulate attic, replace two broken faucets, other minor items), but were wondering if, for tax reasons, we are better off waiting until we close on the new home and this is no longer our primary.Can this work count toward tax deductions as preparatory work on rental property, even if it's currently our primary?

Some of my most beautiful houses were bought as condemned houses and I completely upgraded the house.

The response was always like, "We don't really fix things until they're broken and everything is fine." 

I can't tell you how many properties have units easily convertible from 1 bedroom to 2 bedroom units, units with favorable dimensional standards which can boost rents with no photos to showcase these attributes, assessment square footage that is not correct,  upgrades not identified in the marketing materials etc.

Two of the books that have helped me when I was in your position are Start with Strategy - https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/start-with-strategyThe Book on Estimating Rehab costs - https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/the-book-on-estimat...Since you like the podcasts - these are available as audio books and broken into audio chapters so you can listen just like podcasts!

Keep in mind the foundation is not the only issue, when there is foundation issues there is usually other internal issues that go along with it, (wall separation, Possible broken pipes, floors etc) so give yourself plenty of wiggle room for repairs.

I do agree that mechanical upgrades are a good idea if necessary, those are almost always a safe bet for ROI and resale-ability.

Then roof contractor removed broken skylight in the roof.

I've had to keep parts of deposits a time or 2 for broken/ruined items. 

Hello everyone,
I am pretty new to real estate. I know for a lot of investors it is common to want to hold onto a door for a couple of years then 1031 to a more expensive property to grow their portfolio.
Me being s...