DO NOT  throw the people that help you in business under the bus when times get tight.          

I own 12 properties here in Columbus and I'm lucky enough to be in a position to finance this condo with 20% down, so I've allocated 30-35k for a down payment. 2) I have never visited Arizona, but am planning a trip in May. 1 day of the trip will be allocated to checking out real estate, and ultimately seeing what my budget will get me.

I take two great trips a year all on points. 

But, I'm trying to arm myself with some tax knowledge so I can review his return.Prior to buying a first home, we generally have expenses such as consulting a guru, attending RE conferences, buying education books or incurring plane/meal/hotel expenses to visit properties (assuming the trip was pre-planned with R/E business in mind).In my case, I had those expenses, plus performed inspections of a property that I ended up not buying.

I also moved away from in-person meetings and only schedule them when absolutely necessary allowing me to fit more meetings in and reduced the time spent doing laundry as my "work clothes" are yoga pants.My travel last year was not as much as I had hoped… I took 8 weeks off and went to Boston twice, Denver twice, San Francisco, Phoenix, Detroit, and took a four-day motorcycle trip around lake Michigan.

Take a road trip & look at college town rentals or a nice suburb like Derby, KS.In Austin I would suggest house hacking & buying a quad or duplex & living in one & have tenants pay your mortgage.

You need to mark the step up so it isnt a trip hazard.Was the extension of the deck permitted?

Are there any trip wires that I need to be cautious of ... other than "you have to consider the lost earnings if you withdraw your money, etc, etc." 

However, a trip to the US would probably be enough to eat up most of your profit for the year if you are doing such a small, or low-priced property.It's better to find a syndicator with a good track record whom you trust, and invest passively with that person.  

Hi everyonei'm starting my investment's at the US and need help,does anyone know if and how it's possible to set up a bank account without being present  at the moment(yet, a trip to the states is planned in several month)it's very complicated and expensive to have few wire transaction to each payment and companythank you