I feel that contractors have to understand that investors work just as hard as they do when you consider the sleepless nights, stress and management they put into their business.

I would start there or check loopnet and see which brokers are really active, especially in the 20 unit range you're in and call them for a referral.

Is it for a down payment or to facilitate other investing activities?

I am actively looking and in contact with a couple different sellers.

The letter should introduce yourself as an investor, saying that you are currently actively buying in the area and that you thought their building can be a good fit to your portfolio provided it meets your criteria. 

Being born and raised here in Detroit and someone who actively invests in Detroit, I am happy to help you.

., I am wondering if florida is a place you are active investing in?

Since this is essentially 100% "on-call" and inquiries or messages could come in at any time, how have others structured payment to someone for these activities?

However, when we asked for former successful students, where we can ask/interact with them… the school only shown us slides of active members, but not real persons.

Account Closed said, you keep track of that travel and those expenses could be added to the basis of the property if you have identified the property before making the trip (Just the market investigation trip is not added to basis) Flipping and development: You could possibly deduct the travel to another state if you have a flipping business: 1) Flipping business is reported in the Schedule C or as an ordinary business activity if you have an entity, and travel cost to acquire the other properties can be deducted if planned property.