I know it's hard to time the market but I feel pretty confident that prices here will fall or stay flat, while prices in Vegas are likely to drop more significantly. 

I've seen a lot of partnerships fall apart because someone wasn't happy with their end of the deal. 

Grew up in the Woodbridge area and now I'm down in Tinton Falls. 

Yes, I would consider Seaford in particular to fall into that category.  

Yes I plan to make my first purchase this fall/winter time frame. 

I understand that I am not trying to accomplish an artistic dream in a remodel, I will not fall in love with any property and become closed to other suggestions.My only goal to maximize the value recieved for each dollar invested.

Right now you have people who want to sell looking at prices from earlier this year pre-COVID or last year and you have buyers expecting to get a deal from distressed sellers post-COVID, so there's kind of a stalemate until someone actually has the stones to list at an 'old' price level and wait out buyers who expect prices to fall or for the distressed sellers to give in and start listing at any price.

Certain mall's in particular I could see the statement being made, but I can't say I'd agree with 'commercial' falling into that.

@Kenedy A Foryoung If you make less than $100k, you can write off up to $25k of net rental losses (rental expenses in excess of rental income) per year.If your income falls between $100k-150k, your allowable rental loss phases out.If you make over $150k, you cannot deduct any net rental losses against your W-2 income unless you're a real estate professional (which you likely won't qualify for with a full-time job).

It is best to limit personal use to the Spring and Fall and any last minute gaps.