I can build a 4-plex, four two story units side by side, with a total of about 5000sf for about $1m, land included.

There are plenty of older homes on the market that do not have closets.You need 2 egresses (including 1 that goes outside) such as a door or window, size about 70sqft (local codes may differ), ceilings at least 7ft high, and it cannot be a walk-through passage.As always, your local codes may be different.

I have purchased the following books:ABCs of Buying Rental Property The ABCs of Property Management The ABCs of Real Estate Investing The Advanced Guide to Real Estate InvestingThe Book on Investing in Real Estate wit...

I looked into the maintenance option years back to discover a trend of:  apx. 8% monthly fee which only included rent collection (everything else from maintenance to turnovers etc, extra, and poor reputation on repairs.)

Brad's group is based in Dallas, but his students live in and are buying in many states, including Arizona, so if you think you might benefit from such a program, don't rule it out based on your location alone. 

It may be easier to include utilities in the rent.

You'll need to keep good records, including the appraisal if necessary, and acknowledgment from the charity.In terms of how much you’ll actually get back in terms of tax benefits, it depends on your specific tax situation (your income, other deductions, and tax bracket).

We don't allow any "deal-making" in the forums, which includes advertising your services or properties, looking for partners, etc.

To me that is negative cash-flow, because I include hard and soft expenses. 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.