I am doubtful about you getting an engineer to stamp a set of plans for $300, unless it is very minor. 

Other than making cold calls every so often, my marketing is automated for the most part.

Of course, I always recommend that investors set their eyes on a property at least once, see the town, get a feel for the area.

How will it work, we set up marketing, I'll be the boots on that ground that meets up with seller, and buyers.

I know I can't write off the lost income, i.e. if it'd rent for $2,000 a month, and I donate the use of it to the church, I can't write of the $2,000 as a charitable gift.I know if I just treat it as a 2nd home, I can write off the mortgage interest and property taxes, but how do I set it up so I can write off the entire mortgage, insurance, utilities, etc?  

@Jose FloresI made my first cold call today.

I use a set of conservative or semi-conservative rules that should keep me out of trouble if the market turns against me.

I set up my LLC using a lawyer and also a living trust.If you decide to to do an LLC, your renters can write you a check to your LLC as long as you have a business checking account in your LLC name.

They had a sub contractor link and complete sets of plans.

If I have it set in the lease agreement that any violation of a rental property agreement will be assessed a $100.00 fee, do I need to give the tenant a warning letter for cease and desist first?