I put a new boiler, basement insulation and TONS of other upgrades (electrical and any safety upgrades count) to the tune of 13k and got an 8k check back.) -- This 4 unit MIGHT be a good candidate but BOY, we'd be talking 3 floors of replacing radiators with baseboard.

Dont count on the people standing up for their rights.

Is it just me or is the membership on this site accelerating based on the number of people registered? Any idea what is driving this if it is indeed the case?

I think it's a couple of issues here.You have to define a contractor.Even if a person is a certified contractor you have to ask them the tough questions.Just because they build decks all day does not mean they know how to do a kitchen or a basement or a bathroom for example.Owners see them do really well for a fair price at one thing and then keep adding on duties so they don't have to use multiple contractors.That's when the problem can start.If someone knows how to do something they will bang it out.If they have no clue,partially know etc. they will make tons of mistakes and take extra time and may or may not eventually get it correct and make little to no profit.I can understand why a contractor would not want to come back to a situation like that.There is a difference between a handyman for re-turning a rental and doing rehab on a flip house for resale.I wouldn't count the total amount of work to the contractor as such a great thing.The contractor might have 6,000 of work but how much profit do they make??

Other income, such as veterans survivor benefits would be counted as income, but if the property was not involved with government programs under fair housing, then you certainly could enforce say a 38% income rent level as Chris mentioned (published and enforced as he menetioned is a very good idea) and the disqualification would be due to the income level, not the source of income.

The problem with counting debt pay down is it isn't realized yet.

Typically lenders won't count rental income until you show it on two years tax returns.

You are a responsible landlord that they can count on, and you're sure they'll be just as responsible in their obligations to you.Let the suspected drug dealer know he can't have a dog or roommate.

Throw rugs work also but defeats the til aspect other than its their rugs,,,and subject to there cleaning.I have heard people love it,,but they may have been homeowners.

They say if you have rental property and use schedule E then your real estate assets count as family assets and cannot be excluded.However if you use schedule C for your rental property you can exclude the assets as a small business.I started using Schedule E 20 years ago when I had rental properties and a "real" job (W-2).For over 10 years now I only make money as a small hands on landlord, purchasing, rehabbing and renting and sometimes selling houses on a small scale (12 units total) but still use schedule E, but list myself as a real esate professional according to IRS.I do my own taxes via software.Should i start using schedule C this year, and eliminate schedule E.