Thank you very much everyone for your responses, you all gave me a few valuable tips that I can use in my future dealings.

Account Closed thanks for the tips.

Hey everyone,If one does not form an LLC and still invests in RE continually under their own name can they still write off travel, hotel stays, meals, educational material, seminar attendance costs, purchase of a car, gasoline (fuel), mileage, car repair, parking, office supplies and office equipment, etc.?

Just because VC activity is slowing and valuations are starting to tip over, doesn't mean we'll see a domino effect of successful private companies running out of cash. 

Additionally I was going to use a tip from one of the books and settle on a price, then raise the offer ~2% (assuming it's still within the budget) and having the seller pay closing.

I appreciate the tip!

Does anyone have any tips for finding a mentor?

I'll definitely start out by bird dogging. my short term goal is to get as many tips and connections with ecperienced wholesalers as possible. thanks for your message. 

Are there any tips for researching a HOA rather than just asking the seller?

Play within your bank roll.If you have to get too creative then you probably aren't prepared for that level of play.Master your current game and build a large enough bank roll so you can tip toe to the next level.