utm_source=search&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=books (books recommended by BPers)Before making your 1st REI purchase please visit the link below for some useful tipshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/Simply, bone up on the areas that you need to expand knowledge in such as, Forums, Marketplace, Learn, Network, Analyze and Resources.Continue to feast on the Podcasts, #askbp Podcasts, blogs and webinars Lastly, this site thrives on interactions and as such we encourage two way exchanges and look forward to educational and thought provoking ideas relevant to REI. 

Where Chris mentions income approach should be what an investor is concerned with, I'd have to disagree with due respect because income approach (IA) will never (never has for me) been used to push market value upwards on an actual appraisal therefore the appraisal could never be used for a refinance to obtain a loan against the property or on a purchase of 1-4 MFR or SFR.My position is that while we can mentally masturbate with IA method of valuation it will never have relevance in the real world (to sell, use asset as leverage, etc).

Perhaps that is a good thing because the concepts written about 26 years ago are still relevant today.  

I will try to come back and address a few of the ones I think are very relevant.  

It sounds like you should meet the trade or business standard, and whether you meet or do not meet other standardd is not directly relevant.3) I'm in close to the same situation as you are, no losses and meet the IRC 162 trade or business standard.4) The limitation calculation is fact specific, my income is over the 199A limits, but I'm not ultimately limited (i.e., I still get the full 20%).

A couple relevant websites:http://thetinylife.com https://smallhousesociety.netOtherwise, @Jeffrey H. is correct.  

Just because you think there are better ways for someone to start than to join one of his things is not necessarily relevant.

Keep in mind I’m in a high cost of living area so some of this may not be relevant to you.

It’s best not to use the 7 unit to comp out the 4 unit.In appraisal speak, this is a complex assignment, due to lack of relevant data.

If you're interested in becoming a home builder and have relevant experience you should seek out an SBA loan, purchase a lot, build a house and see how you do.