The construction work is mostly cosmetic with the biggest items being fixing a deck and kitchen rehab work. 

Check out www.securityproductsnow.com this website has some alternatives for self-defense items...

Immerse yourself with the different references materials Brandon itemized  above.

Conventional financing guidelines are vague when an appraiser has to call the various items you mention. 

I used to be sought out for restaurant consultation work but did not want to do all that traveling plus I like real estate the best.Another item to watch carefully is this minimum wage hike thing.

In fact, that is a pretty contentious item in this community.  

You cant report some income/expense on schedule E and carve out the interest expense from the line of credit and call it an investment activity and an itemized deduction on schedule A.

Expenses are an income statement item, repairs go to the assets of the balance sheet and capitalized.

I have sold many condos and have only had clients have issues with making interior changes if the change would negatively impact a neighbor, cause noise at inconvenient times or in the Pearl where there are can be a lot of restrictions on interior changes as they can cause structural issues (for example some buildings don't allow you to hang heavy items with maully bolts because of building envelope issues).  

I broke your question into the following items and will address each one as best as I can.Should you manage your own properties?