Otherwise you could involve an arbitrator or small claims court.

She is currently working full-time and I was in my first semester of medical school when I made the decision that I wanted to begin pursuing real estate full-time, so I'm currently searching but have several interviews lined up.

I saw an article that claimed to exclude payments for rent.

Assuming you received a title policy, I suggest you immediately file a claim with the insurer and not the title agent which issued the policy. 

I am not as concerned with medical or college debt but if you can’t pay at least minimums on credit cards and your car note you are much higher risk.  

Can I claim the expenses of renovating the home on my 2020 taxes? 

Your insurance won't cover tenants and if you have a fire or claim that's another problem.Other issues: If tenants are not out at closing what's to say they ever pay you?

I rent pet-friendly apartment and houses in not-so-nice neighborhoods mostly to medical workers: almost always nursing staff and housekeeping.Pittsburgh has a lot of old houses in its urban residential neighborhoods.

Work with a tax professional to make sure you are properly claiming income and expenses.

There are so many different factors that can affect the tax liability of the property, (especially as you develop a portfolio) and it's very easy to claim it as a loss if you have a good CPA.