I have set my eyes on starting my career in Los Angeles, but I haven't fully committed for fear that the potential of a newbie getting washed out in a market as big and as fast-paced as LA.

I'm 36 years old and just changed my career to real estate.  

I used that to challenge my property tax and got a small change, so, something useful came out of it. 

If it IS a separate bill in your area then yes, definitely include it as an expense, and the 'other expense' category would be a good place.You want to include ANY expense you might incur - I was watching a webinar last week from the archives and it was interesting how a couple things that I dont deal with; flood insurance, garage & water/sewer (tenants pay in my area) completely changed one of Brandon's deals he was looking at from pretty good to just break even. 

I currently am unemployed but looking to change that in the coming days.

It wouldn't change if I used the $324.70 and went for 138 payments.

Which, when you think about it, is really fast if you have a 45 day rehab and maybe it takes a week or 2 to get a tenant into that property. 

My girlfriend and I have purchased our first house hack in Oak Park, MI and looking to get that passive income going as fast as we can.

Especially if in reality the carpet has lived most of its useful life and its time to change them anyway...I totally get the desire to want to stand by your principles.....and I hate to cave to tenants since it also trains them to be a PITA to their next landlord.... but its s business and you have to pick your battles and move on

This is important because building size generally dictates how fast new tenants move to make a decision.